National Vocational Qualifications or NVQs as they are more frequently referred to are a relatively new concept in today's world of management, training and delivery. NVQs are competence-based qualifications designed to enable individuals working at all levels in occupational sectors to obtain qualifications representative of the knowledge and experience they have gained while working in that sector.
If an individual is competent in a routine or specified set of tasks and can provide evidence of that competence, then they are eligible to apply for an NVQ in that particular area.
The evidence is assessed against criterion referenced national standards and if deemed to be of a satisfactory standard, a qualification is then awarded. The definition of competence with its different characteristics is provided by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ).
The NVQ framework comprises 11 sectors or areas of competence. Built into each of these sectors are five levels which represent an increasing range and complexity of tasks as well as greater responsibility within the working environment. Each level refers to a job role or range of role activities and a trained assessor who has the relevant knowledge and experience for a particular level assesses competence at that level.
Crimsonwing has embraced the concept of NVQs and this month the first group of employees has obtained an NVQ Level 3 Certificate in Management, awarded by the Chartered Institute of Personal Development.
All employees followed a management-oriented training programme and by means of a specified set of tasks were certified competent. The evidence was assessed against criterion-referenced by CIPD (UK) standards. The training and NVQ certification were co-ordinated by MISCO TACK Training Ltd.
This and other training programmes leading to industry standard qualifications are constantly being organised at Crimsonwing, whose directors strongly believe that investment in the human resource factor is of prime importance.
Their commitment to investment in HR is clearly illustrated by the receipt of two prestigious national awards - the People in Management and Satisfaction awarded by the Employment and Training Corporation in 2000, and the 2001 Achievement in Industry awarded by the Malta Development Corporation.