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Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and Level 2 Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Optical Retailing
For a full copy of the National Occupational Standards in Optical Retailing Level 2 click here ("Word" text document 206kb)
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 Retailing at level 2 is based on National Occupational Standards developed in conjunction with the optical industry. An NVQ in Optical Retailing recognises the skills and knowledge of a person working in an optical practice or store and enhances job satisfaction and career opportunities.
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 Retailing. 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 Retailing. 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 Retailing 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 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

Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and

Level 2 Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ)

in Optical Retailing

For a full copy of the National Occupational Standards in Optical Retailing Level 2 click here
("Word" text document 206kb)

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 Retailing at level 2 is based on National Occupational Standards developed in conjunction with the optical industry. An NVQ in Optical Retailing recognises the skills and knowledge of a person working in an optical practice or store and enhances job satisfaction and career opportunities.

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 Retailing.

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 Retailing. 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 Retailing 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 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