mum
Well-Known Member
Hi Geeks
I thought I'd give a bit more info on NVQ's in the hope that another aspect of the NVComplication is a bit clearer! :idea: (just worked out how to use these! :o Sad!)
I read a comment in a recent thread that said that the course (that was being referred to) included more detail than the NVQ 3. An explanation may help to make this clearer. There are 2 bits:
1. The NVQ Level 3 (which is new right now, this month) involves 8 units, is very involved and will take quite a while to achieve. It is probably the equilavent of a couple of A levels (it is certainly entry into 'foundation' degree level). I think reference to NVQ 3 at the moment means the 1 unit at the level in Beauty Therapy that covers artificial nails. This is not an NVQ, just 1 out of 8 for beauty not nails.
2. Probably the most important point here is that an NVQ is NOT a course! An NVQ at any level is a qualification you receive when you prove that you are competent in your professional skill (i.e nails). An NVQ, basically, is a (vast) list of criteria, both practical and theoretical, that you need to show you can do and understand (why, how, when, etc etc). If you can meet the entire list you have demonstrated that you are skilled at your job and entitled to the qualification. The industry authority (HABIA) has, through long consultation, 'decreed' that this qualification is the MINIMUM required for a 'professional'. With the new qualifications, this MINIMUM has grown and grown to the place it should be.
The training course does not necessarily bare any relationship to the requirements. Every course from every place (private and via a college) will have a different structure, a different teacher, different products, different time scales etc. That is absolutley fine
What is important is that the outcome of that training (in your aunty's back room with a weight lifter if that is what is available). You must be able to demonstrate on REAL clients with a wide range of problems that you can do the job, understand what you are doing, why you are doing it and what to do when it goes wrong.
Any training course for nails will be 'working towards' an NVQ. Picking up a file, sitting straight and filing nails is 'working towards an NVQ'. Filing correctly is one of the criteria. But it is one of many.
Every training course available will lead to an NVQ. If an NVQ (or units in it) are what you actually want to achieve then you need to make sure that you have the access to do achieve it. That can only be done via approved training centres and approved assessors and does not necessarily require or involve more training, just assessments.
No one does an NVQ course. Everyone does a course that can result in an NVQ. Everyone who has done a course of any kind can go to an assessment centre and prove they are 'competent'
The industry, at present, does not have any legislation that requires specific qualification. However, those committed to their industry and career will have no problem in proving their competence! Those that want to earn decent money and not have to put up with inexperienced techs that just give the industry a bad name will embrace raising the MINIMUM requirements that are acceptable.
Just make sure you will get what you expect, you are going for the best you can manage, if it is in small chunks that's fine as long as you understand it is a small chunk and try to be the best not do just enough to get by
Marian
I thought I'd give a bit more info on NVQ's in the hope that another aspect of the NVComplication is a bit clearer! :idea: (just worked out how to use these! :o Sad!)
I read a comment in a recent thread that said that the course (that was being referred to) included more detail than the NVQ 3. An explanation may help to make this clearer. There are 2 bits:
1. The NVQ Level 3 (which is new right now, this month) involves 8 units, is very involved and will take quite a while to achieve. It is probably the equilavent of a couple of A levels (it is certainly entry into 'foundation' degree level). I think reference to NVQ 3 at the moment means the 1 unit at the level in Beauty Therapy that covers artificial nails. This is not an NVQ, just 1 out of 8 for beauty not nails.
2. Probably the most important point here is that an NVQ is NOT a course! An NVQ at any level is a qualification you receive when you prove that you are competent in your professional skill (i.e nails). An NVQ, basically, is a (vast) list of criteria, both practical and theoretical, that you need to show you can do and understand (why, how, when, etc etc). If you can meet the entire list you have demonstrated that you are skilled at your job and entitled to the qualification. The industry authority (HABIA) has, through long consultation, 'decreed' that this qualification is the MINIMUM required for a 'professional'. With the new qualifications, this MINIMUM has grown and grown to the place it should be.
The training course does not necessarily bare any relationship to the requirements. Every course from every place (private and via a college) will have a different structure, a different teacher, different products, different time scales etc. That is absolutley fine
What is important is that the outcome of that training (in your aunty's back room with a weight lifter if that is what is available). You must be able to demonstrate on REAL clients with a wide range of problems that you can do the job, understand what you are doing, why you are doing it and what to do when it goes wrong.
Any training course for nails will be 'working towards' an NVQ. Picking up a file, sitting straight and filing nails is 'working towards an NVQ'. Filing correctly is one of the criteria. But it is one of many.
Every training course available will lead to an NVQ. If an NVQ (or units in it) are what you actually want to achieve then you need to make sure that you have the access to do achieve it. That can only be done via approved training centres and approved assessors and does not necessarily require or involve more training, just assessments.
No one does an NVQ course. Everyone does a course that can result in an NVQ. Everyone who has done a course of any kind can go to an assessment centre and prove they are 'competent'
The industry, at present, does not have any legislation that requires specific qualification. However, those committed to their industry and career will have no problem in proving their competence! Those that want to earn decent money and not have to put up with inexperienced techs that just give the industry a bad name will embrace raising the MINIMUM requirements that are acceptable.
Just make sure you will get what you expect, you are going for the best you can manage, if it is in small chunks that's fine as long as you understand it is a small chunk and try to be the best not do just enough to get by
Marian