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ACCREDITATION
Ensuring that a qualification meets national requirements. Also that an awarding body is competent to award a qualification and that a candidate's achievements are recognised.ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING (APL)
The assessment and accreditation of existing learning, knowledge, skills and achievements. APL can be used to credit candidates with some of the requirements of their NVQ standards.APPRENTICESHIP
Apprenticeships are a mixture of work-based training and education. Apprenticeships are basically a framework of qualifications including an NVQ. An Apprenticeship allows learners to have a job, to earn a wage and to receive structured training in their chosen occupation.ASSESSMENT
The process by which a candidates' underpinning knowledge, understanding and work-based performance is measured (assessed) and judged against occupational standards to demonstrate competence in the workplace and to gain evidence towards an NVQ/SVQ. This should take place within the candidate's own workplace / practice areaASSESSMENT CENTRE
An organisation approved (by the awarding body) to provide an NVQ or SVQ. Only approved centres are able to register candidates with the awarding body to work towards the NVQ/SVQ qualifications.ASSESSMENT RECORD
This document is completed and signed off by the assessor once the evidence provided by the candidate is sufficient to prove competence.ASSESSOR
The individual trained and qualified (D32/33 / A1 / A2) to carry out the formal assessment of candidate's performance against the occupational standard. Assessors must be competent in the areas they are assessing and be qualified and registered with an Approved Centre. Assessors judge the candidate's performance against the national NVQ standards and guides them through the NVQ programme.AWARDING BODY
Awarding Bodies work with Sector Skills Councils to develop NVQ/SVQs. Approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, Awarding Bodies award specific qualifications and also approve assessment centres, manage the external verification process and award certificates to candidates.CANDIDATE
An individual seeking credit for their achievements through an NVQ/SVQ.Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE)
A Learning and Skills Council initiative that is awarded to training providers and Colleges who demonstrate consistently high standards of training in particular occupational areas and are designed to improve and develop skills for employers.COMPETENCE
Proven ability to meet the national standards for your work / occupational area.E2E
Entry to Employment is a Government funded programme, designed for 16 – 18 year olds to help them prepare for work or continued education at college.ELEMENT
The smallest part of an NVQ unit. A collection of two, three or four specified Elements together constitutes A complete the unit.ERR
Employment Rights and Responsibilities is one part of the Apprenticeship framework. Candidates are required to develop a knowledge and understanding about the world of employment. This includes the rights and responsibilities of workers, the role of their organization within the wider industry and the effect of public law and policy on industry.EXTERNAL VERIFIER
An individual, appointed by the Awarding Body to monitor the operation of the scheme and the assessment procedures to ensure that all appropriate procedures are adhered to. The external verifier is appointed by the awarding body and will carry out regular checks of Approved Centres.INTERNAL VERIFIER
An individual, qualified (D32/33 or A1 and D34 / V1) and approved by the Awarding Body but working for the Approved Centre, who monitors and supervises the operation of the scheme and to ensure that all appropriate procedures are adhered to. The IV monitors the assessment procedures and ensures that they meet the national standards. The internal verifier is appointed by the candidate's assessment centre and works closely with their assessor.LSC
The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for planning and funding high quality education and training for everyone in England over the age of 16 other than those in universities.NVQ
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are work-related, competence-based qualifications. They reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively, and show that a candidate is competent in the area of work the NVQ represents.OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS
An occupational standard is a statement of what someone is expected to achieve at work. The standards are developed by representatives of each occupational area and form the basis of the NVQ/SVQ. The Occupational Standard is described in terms of units and elements of competence and the evidence required to support the assessment of competence.PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Performance standards are written statements of performance which an assessor uses to judge whether an individual can perform an activity described by the element. All of the performance standards for a particular element must be assessed.PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE
A collection of evidence produced by a candidate to prove his/her competence. Comprising such items as direct workbased observations of practice, examples of work products, written / reflective accounts, questions and answers, third party witness testimonies etc. linked directly to the Performance CriterQCA
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, accreditation Body for England, Wales and Northern Ireland formed as a merger of the former National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) and the Schools Curriculum Assessment Authority (SCAA)SECTOR SKILLS COUNCIL
A Government recognised, industry-focused body established to support the development of skills and training within that industry. SSCs are the recognised voice of employers on the skills and people development needs of UK industry and employment sectors. SSCs work to enhance the competitiveness and prosperity of the UK by improving the skills and competence of people in all sectors of the economy.SKILLS FOR LIFE
Skills for Life qualifications are designed to help people develop skills we use in everyday life, such as reading, writing or mathematics.STANDARD
The basis for assessment of a candidate's evidence. This explains what has to be assessed.TECHNICAL CERTIFICATES
Technical Certificates are Vocationally Related Qualifications that exist within Apprenticeship programmes. They have been developed to give a person the knowledge and skills they need to function successfully in a particular industry sector of the economy.TRAIN 2 GAIN
The new national initiative from the Government designed to upskill the UK's workforce. Employees who have never achieved a Level 2 Education such as 5 O Levels or GCSEs at Grades A – C can now undertake a Level 2 NVQ free of charge.UNIT
A unit of competence is the smallest individual component of the qualification which can be accredited and awarded. Each unit is made up of elements of competence.WORK BASED LEARNING
Work-Based Learning (WBL) programmes are designed to give the opportunity for employees to gain nationally recognised qualifications for the knowledge and skills they have acquired whilst working.
