i am currenlty looking into certificates and diplomas for support staff regarding personal development to get them started in developing themselves and careers. The main target is administration/customer service.There seems to be a lot re management development but not for my discipline. Any ideas? I would also like opinions on the worth on NVQ's regarding development?
jayne eaton
4 Responses
Horses for Courses
NVQ’s are great for some people and not so good for others. They are intensely practical but also considered to be somewhat easier than their academic equivalents.
For admin and customer service I think you’d be hard pushed to find qualifications other than NVQ except for the ECDL (for computer using admin staff).
These qualifications are quite good and we have several staff undertaking these programs at the moment.
Issues with NVQs still come with the fact that many employers remember how bad they were when NVQ stood in most employer’s minds for Not Very Qualified. However the perception is improving and the qualifications are highly valued in the public sector but have some catching up to do in the private sector.
I dont do NVQ’s!
I no longer offer NVQ’s simply because my clients want training linked to the needs of the business and NVQ’s can be too structured. Consequently we develop bespoke packages to suit. There are programmes certificated via NCFE which might suit your needs.
NVQs
Hi
As part of the advanced business apprenticeship framework our apprentices study for the OCR Level 3 Award in Administration which provides them with the underpinning knowledge and understanding to perform their job. It also teaches them about employment rights and responsibilities, health and safety etc. This is a level 3 certificate (there is also one at level 2) and there are two units for the full award. Unit 1 – on line multi choice test “Identifying Administrative Functions” and Unit 2 – externally set and moderated assignment type exam “Improving the Quality of Administrative Services”. The units are certificated separately and a full qualification certificate issued when they have both been achieved. This might be a way of developing those staff who would need more experience to gain an NVQ.
The Admin NVQ standards changed last year and are now much more task orientated.
Good luck
Linda
To NVQ or not NVQ?
My advice on helping you to make a decision in this area would be to look at job adverts and see what kind of qualifications they are asking for.