NVQs tell employers a great deal about you. An NVQ says that you can do a job properly and that you have the knowledge and skills required. Passing an exam, or having a job title won't necessarily prove this. Having an NVQ proves that someone can work to industry standards. Employers and the Trades Unions recognise them. Most people get great personal satisfaction from being recognised for doing something well: an NVQ is proof of achievement, and something to be proud of. It is also evidence to put forward if you change jobs or go for promotion. NVQs are updated regularly and new options added, to keep abreast of improvements in technology and working practices. This means that people can add to their qualifications and have a completely up-to-date record of how competent they are.

NVQs have two great advantages: they are FLEXIBLE and TRANSFERABLE.

Someone who changes jobs can retain the units and elements they have acquired towards an NVQ in one area, and work towards those relevant to the new job. This may mean going to a different Level of NVQ, or at the same Level but in a different skill area. Some aspects of ceramic NVQs are common to more than one qualification, and it isn't necessary to repeat them.

For example ...

Someone in a tile manufacturing company could add to their Level 2 NVQ in Manufacturing Ceramic Products (machine-forming option) by working for the Level 2 unit that includes decorating by machine.

The team leader of a decorating department (who has a Level 2 in 'Decorating by Hand') who moves into training, could begin working towards a Level 3 ceramics (decorating option), or Management, or perhaps in Training & Development, starting with a City & Guilds Trainer/Assessor award.

If someone whose job involved craft skills moved into an area which demanded engineering and maintenance, he or she could add to the ceramic NVQ Level 2 with an Engineering Level 2.

Most employers need two kinds of employee: those who are competent in one skill area; and those who are versatile across a wide range of skills. NVQs are designed for what is best for individuals ... and the company for which they work.

The assessor ... usually a person who is in day-to-day contact with the person working towards the NVQ.

Assessors must be able to use assessment techniques correctly, and will have been trained and assessed to national standards to do this. They must also be 'occupationally competent'; in other words, able to do the job which they are assessing, before being allowed to carry out an assessment.