PDS - NVQs

The NVQ demonstrates that those who obtain it have proved they are capable of working to an agreed standard in their place of work. A skilled assessor assesses them, over a period of time. Once the candidate has proven their competence in all the relevant parts of the standards, they will be awarded the qualification. During this period they will collect evidence, which is presented in the form of a portfolio of work.

The candidates will be registered with a City & Guilds Centre, who will allocate them an assessor. The assessor will work with the candidate explaining the standards and carrying out assessments. The assessor will also provide technical support and advice on collecting evidence and cross-referencing it for the portfolio. The portfolio is key to demonstrating the candidate’s competence, as it will contain evidence of their work comprising of evidence such as:

Job sheets
Production Control Cards
Printed evidence
Witness testimonies
Personal statements (sometimes referred to as story boards)
Assessments
Photographs/video (where applicable)

LEVELS

There are two levels in the qualification.

Level 2 demonstrates competence as a skilled operator. The individual will be capable of working to a consistently high standard of quality and production. Best practice will be applied in all aspects of their work. The ability to diagnose and rectify faults will be proven but even more important is to avoid problems by correct set up and operating procedures. Evidence will be gathered in a portfolio. This evidence will contain printed work, job sheets, testimonies, etc. A person with Level 2 competence is likely to be part of a team and to have skills in communication to ensure efficient operation of the team.

Level 3 demonstrates competence as a supervisor, team leader or technician. The individual will be responsible for planning and controlling and providing support to work colleagues. They will have a high degree of technical competence and be able to communicate at all levels within the company. Evidence will be gathered in a portfolio. This evidence will contain projects that the candidate has completed. These projects would be about such topics as: Reducing Rejects, Machine Optimisation, Improving Quality, etc.

The NVQs available to the screen and pad printing industry are as follows:

The NVQ standards comprise of units and elements. In the printing standards there are 2 Mandatory Common Units, (which are common to all NVQs). The candidate then has to complete the 3 Mandatory Technical Units and then 1 unit from the Optional units. See the above links for more detailed information.

DURATION

The length of time to complete the NVQ will vary depending on the pace at which the candidate feels competent to proceed, the time that the employer can allocate and delivery of additional training, etc.

The approximate time to complete an NVQ Level 2 is 9 – 18 months.
The approximate time to complete an NVQ Level 3 is 12 – 18 months.

APPROXIMATE COST

Depending on the number of candidates in the company, company location and existing level of competence the approximate delivery cost for either NVQ from the SPA Print Qualification Centre is:

NVQ levels 2 or 3 Between £2,000 and £4000.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Financial support may be available from your local Business Link or Learning and Skills Council.

We can give guidance as to the routes open to a company to obtain this funding.

Telephone: + 44 (0)1226 249590 Email: info@pdsconsulting.co.uk
		NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (NVQS) National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are internationally recognised qualifications and are designed to meet the standards set by industry in particular occupational areas. They are designed to cover various aspects of a job or area of work, assessing the skills actually used in the workplace. They can be completed unit by unit, enabling an individual to build up to a qualification as conveniently as possible. A mix of mandatory and optional units can enable a candidate to tailor the qualification to their particular role. The NVQ demonstrates that those who obtain it have proved they are capable of working to an agreed standard in their place of work. A skilled assessor assesses them, over a period of time. Once the candidate has proven their competence in all the relevant parts of the standards, they will be awarded the qualification. During this period they will collect evidence, which is presented in the form of a portfolio of work. The candidates will be registered with a City & Guilds Centre, who will allocate them an assessor. The assessor will work with the candidate explaining the standards and carrying out assessments. The assessor will also provide technical support and advice on collecting evidence and cross-referencing it for the portfolio. The portfolio is key to demonstrating the candidate’s competence, as it will contain evidence of their work comprising of evidence such as: Job sheets Production Control Cards Printed evidence Witness testimonies Personal statements (sometimes referred to as story boards) Assessments Photographs/video (where applicable) LEVELS There are two levels in the qualification. Level 2 demonstrates competence as a skilled operator. The individual will be capable of working to a consistently high standard of quality and production. Best practice will be applied in all aspects of their work. The ability to diagnose and rectify faults will be proven but even more important is to avoid problems by correct set up and operating procedures. Evidence will be gathered in a portfolio. This evidence will contain printed work, job sheets, testimonies, etc. A person with Level 2 competence is likely to be part of a team and to have skills in communication to ensure efficient operation of the team. Level 3 demonstrates competence as a supervisor, team leader or technician. The individual will be responsible for planning and controlling and providing support to work colleagues. They will have a high degree of technical competence and be able to communicate at all levels within the company. Evidence will be gathered in a portfolio. This evidence will contain projects that the candidate has completed. These projects would be about such topics as: Reducing Rejects, Machine Optimisation, Improving Quality, etc. The NVQs available to the screen and pad printing industry are as follows: City & Guilds Machine Printing 5158, Level 2 Screen Printing City & Guilds Machine Printing 5158, Level 2 Pad Printing City & Guilds Machine Printing 5158, Level 3 Screen Printing City & Guilds Machine Printing 5158, Level 3 Pad Printing The NVQ standards comprise of units and elements. In the printing standards there are 2 Mandatory Common Units, (which are common to all NVQs). The candidate then has to complete the 3 Mandatory Technical Units and then 1 unit from the Optional units. See the above links for more detailed information. DURATION The length of time to complete the NVQ will vary depending on the pace at which the candidate feels competent to proceed, the time that the employer can allocate and delivery of additional training, etc. The approximate time to complete an NVQ Level 2 is 9 – 18 months. The approximate time to complete an NVQ Level 3 is 12 – 18 months. APPROXIMATE COST Depending on the number of candidates in the company, company location and existing level of competence the approximate delivery cost for either NVQ from the SPA Print Qualification Centre is: NVQ levels 2 or 3 Between £2,000 and £4000. FINANCIAL SUPPORT Financial support may be available from your local Business Link or Learning and Skills Council. We can give guidance as to the routes open to a company to obtain this funding.