Introduction

A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) is a work-based qualification that is on the national framework of qualifications. NVQs cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) cover Scotland and are very similar. NVQs and SVQs are achieved through assessment in the workplace of a person’s competence and underpinning knowledge of the job. They cover many different areas of work e.g. engineering, health care, customer service. Each one is based on standards that specify the level of skill and knowledge required. There are no age limits, so anyone of any age can take an NVQ.

The NVQ in Optical Manufacturing at 3 is based on National Occupational Standards developed in conjunction with the optical industry. An NVQ in Optical Manufacturing recognises the skills and knowledge of a person working in a variety of optical manufacturing roles and enhances job satisfaction and career opportunities.

To obtain a copy of the standards for both levels 2 and 3 in Optical Manufacturing click here. (Word file 497Kb)
To obtain a copy of the qualification design (the list of standards for level 3) click here (Word file 100 Kb)

The NVQ Process

Awarding Bodies

Awarding Bodies run the administration and issue the qualification certificates. They also ensure standards are maintained by verifying the assessment procedures.

Assessment Centres

Assessment Centres assess the competencies of candidates in each of the mandatory and optional units chosen, by reviewing a portfolio of accomplishments, assessing on-the-job practical skills and questioning the candidate’s underpinning knowledge. Assessors must ensure that candidates demonstrate that they ‘can do’ and that they ‘understand’ what is set out in the National Occupational Standards for Optical Manufacturing.

An organisation with sufficient employees undertaking the NVQ qualifications can become an assessment centre and assess their own candidates and verify their own procedures. Small or medium sized companies with smaller numbers of candidates can outsource the assessment process to an independent assessment centre. The centre provides the assessors and takes on the administration for running the assessment process and liaison with the awarding body. Assessment centres are available at suitable locations across the UK.

Candidates

Candidates working with their chosen assessor and manager will:

• Review their work history and current qualifications

• Agree an action plan and key dates

• Register with the chosen Awarding Body

• Collect evidence of competence in a portfolio to demonstrate their skills and knowledge

• Be assessed for the evidence collected and be given feedback by an approved assessor

• Agree an action plan to cover areas where the evidence is insufficient

Assessment

Assessment is the process by which a candidate’s skills and knowledge are measured against the appropriate requirements of the National Occupational Standards for Optical Manufacturing . There are four key steps:

• Planning the assessment – obtain agreement on the action plan for identifying and collecting evidence of knowledge gained.

• Identifying the sources of evidence – historical evidence, performance at work or special tasks and questioning.

• Collecting the evidence – candidates are encouraged to take responsibility for the collection of their own evidence.

• Assessing the evidence – evidence must be assessed by an approved assessor. The candidate will be judged as competent if the work standards and knowledge can be consistently demonstrated and that there is evidence to support this.

Evidence portfolio

Typically the assessor must consider whether the evidence portfolio presented

• is attributable to the candidate,

• relates to the current National Optical Manufacturing Standards,

• covers the performance criteria,

• demonstrates competence in all the requirements and to a sufficient level.

Verification

Internal Verifiers employed by the assessment centre monitor the work of the assessors to ensure the process has been carried out correctly.

The Awarding Body will, in addition, employ an external verifier to audit the overall process and ensure that standards are maintained.

Certification

The Awarding Body will issue the certificate once they are satisfied that the evidence presented meets the agreed criteria.

Further Information

For further information contact:

City & Guilds
1 Giltspur Street
London
EC1A 9DD

Tel:  +44 (0)20 7294 2800
Fax: +44 (0)20 7294 2400

Or click here to visit the City & Guilds website

The Science Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Alliance (SEMTA) Tel. 0207 222 0464

The Federation of Manufacturing Opticians (FMO) Tel 0207 298 5123

Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) Tel. 0207 298 5100