Before looking at this particular Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ), it is worth explaining the purpose of an SVQ. It is a competence based qualification, which means it reflects what someone does as part of their job. They are normally flexible and are ideal to provide someone with a qualification who is competent to do their job. SVQs are essentially an assessment to prove that someone can do a job. Training is still required over and above the SVQ to bring someone new or developing in a role to full competence and hence enable them to gain the qualification.
SVQs are work based qualifications, but they are also delivered full-time in colleges. Employers have not been happy about much of the quality of this delivery and People 1st recommend that they be delivered by the employer themselves or with help from a commercial work based provider or college.
Their delivery can be very flexible; including day release, on the job, online training assessment etc. SVQs are available at levels 1 to 5 and reflect the differing competences of different jobs, with 5 being the highest level of competence. Contributory funding from the Scottish Government is usually available depending on the age of the learner and involves a contribution from the employer.