VRQ or NVQ?

[lola67]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help me answer this question: What is the difference between an NVQ & a VRQ?

The college I teach at is switching this year from NVQ Beauty to VRQ. I have searched the internet and read all the relevant paperwork for this qualification and as far as I can make out the main differences are: you are not required to work on clients, there are not as many assessments and exams don't need 100% pass mark, as long as reach 70% they don't have to complete any oral questions. It seems to be based on knowledge and understanding, rather than the skill competency of the student.

So, they leave college not having ever worked on a client only on each other or friends/family and not having completed many practical assessments. I.e. the waxing unit only requires lower leg, bikini and underarm. There are actually 2 L2 qualifications, one of them doesn't even have waxing in it!

When they complete an NVQ L2 Beauty we are saying that they are industry ready and have completed all practical assessments to a required standard. With the VRQ they have the knowledge and understanding but not the skill (at least no evidence to say they are industry ready)

From my research, many people are saying it has the same bearing as an NVQ you can still work in a salon and get insured etc. I'm not that convinced about this, as I wouldn't happy to employ someone who has never had client experience or even completed a waxing treatment.......... Would you take on someone with a VRQ over an NVQ? Is someone completely competent having completed a VRQ?

I would like your opinions on this and also if you know (or can correct if I have misunderstood) any info about VRQ's.

Many thanks

Linds x

 

[chazz!!]

Their are quite a few threads on this already if you do a search. X

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[lola67]

Thanks for your reply Chazz. I have read a few of these, a lot of them seem to be hair related............also I was quite interested in people opinions on the VRQ whether they have studied it or teach it.
x

 

[chazz!!]

I done an nvq beauty 2 & 3 7 years ago, but now im doining vrq in hair. I think it depends on the colege as mine are teaching the vrq the same as the nvq apart from the aprentaship. But most people have work placements anyway.

With the beauty nvq i did most of my assesments on family anyway. and beauty dosent have apentaships. I had to work 1 day a week im the salon. I dont think in beauty it will be that different.

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[chazz!!]

In my nvq we only did leg underarm and bikini.

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[lola67]

Hi Chazz..... Thanks for taking the time to reply. It's interesting to hear what other people have done. With the NVQ they have to do 1/2 & full leg, underarm, bikini, lip, chin & eyebrows and also they have to work on clients. No family & friends allowed. Did you feel confident when you'd finished your beauty having only done family/friends?
My main worry with the VRQ is that they won't be able to get a job having not worked on clients or done that many assessments....... particularly if the college go with the L2 that hasn't got waxing in it.
Thanks again
Linds

 

[chazz!!]

Hi i did do a few real clients but not many booked in so had to bring family. Y cant they do real clients of they can bring in family why cant they keep the book open for real clients.

i took me a few interviews to get my first job but after that i have got every job i have ever applied for. could you not teach them to do a lip wax anyways. Also i dont think it really matters i went to the london school of beauty and i still couldnt wax when i came out i had to be shown when i got a job.

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[chazz!!]

I did do eyebrows bu that was cobered in eye treatments. X

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[hjp139]

Basically the NVQ Diploma means you are occupationally competent to do the job and is the minimum requirement accepted by most salons and all the major companies such as Steiner. The VRQ is a knowledge based qualification and doesn't actually give you occupational competence and as a result many salons will still insist that you then do the NVQ Diploma. many colleges and training providers are using it as they then don't need to get the paying clients in.
hope this helps.

 

[lillamy]

Basically the NVQ Diploma means you are occupationally competent to do the job and is the minimum requirement accepted by most salons and all the major companies such as Steiner. The VRQ is a knowledge based qualification and doesn't actually give you occupational competence and as a result many salons will still insist that you then do the NVQ Diploma. many colleges and training providers are using it as they then don't need to get the paying clients in.
hope this helps.

I did VTCT beauty specialist level 2 which is also an VRQ and I had to do all my assessments on real paying clients just like u have to with NVQ, im told they mirror eachother .. doing my level 3 as NVQ now though

 

[AcidPerm]

When I did my course, we swapped and did each others friends so that they were more like real clients. In fact, even scarier as you knew the client would tell her friend what she really thought of you, whereas a real client goes out of the door, possibly never to be seen again...

 

[JaneyEliz]

I recently visited an open day at my local college. They mentioned to me that NVQ was no more from 2014. They are being replaced by VRQ.

 

[chazz!!]

I went to the lcbt london college of beauty therapy. I did an nvq 7 years ago things may have changed. X

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