Scottish Vocational Qualifications

Overview

SVQs give candidates an opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification for the work they are currently doing. No formal entry qualifications are required, but an initial analysis will be undertaken to determine the appropriate SVQ level and optional units.

Universal Training Solutions is a recognised assessment centre with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Process Awards Authority (PAA) for the following SVQs;

Level 1

Distributive operations
Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities
Administration

Level 2

Administration
Customer Service
Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities
IT User
IT Practitioner

Level 3

Customer Service
Administration
IT User
IT Professional
Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities
Learning and Development
(includes units A1 and A2 and V1)]
Management

Level 4

Administration
Community Development Level 4
Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities
Learning and development
Management

Benefits

More and more employers are seeing education and training for their workforce as an investment, not as a luxury. SVQs provide a focused, on the job context for training and developing staff and are an excellent way of making sure that staff development programmes and business strategy go hand in hand.
SVQs are based on national standards of performance developed by representatives from industry, commerce and education. Matching the skills and knowledge of potential candidates against these nationally agreed industry standards gives employers a good idea of where there might be room for improvement.
Once training and development are underway and people are working towards their SVQs, many employers begin to notice clear material benefits including a healthier bottom line performance. An extensive study of SVQs in the manufacturing sector reported improvements in productivity, quality and staff retention and a reduction in complaints, accidents and absenteeism.

Duration & Method of Delivery

There are no fixed periods for completion of an SVQ qualification. Some candidates, who are already competent and can present a portfolio of evidence without too much difficulty, may well complete their qualification in 4-6 months. Others, who need to undertake some development activity and then apply their learning in the work place to demonstrate competence, may find they need up to 18 months.

Assessment

All SVQs are assessed by a portfolio of evidence, which demonstrates that the candidate can perform to the level described by the relevant standards. Universal Training Solutions allocate candidates a personal advisor who will contact them once per month either in person or by telephone, to help them compile a portfolio and prepare for assessment.