Assessing the business and employee benefits resulting from the implementation of NVQs

Abstract

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) have been introduced and developed within a competency framework by successive UK governments. Potential benefits are listed as improved skills, less skills shortages and more appropriate job‐employee fit. However, there has been considerable and sustained criticism of NVQs from employers, employees and academics. Criticisms include excessive bureaucracy, overly complex terminology and a lack of credibility of the competence concept. This case‐based study examines the implementation of NVQs in an organisation based on 60 semi‐structured interviews with those involved. The findings reveal that NVQ is seen as a training regime within the organisation and that there are no clear links to improved business performance or employee morale. Moreover, there were contextual problems in applying the standard.

Can reflection boost competences development in organizations?

“…In America, for instance, the national skills standard (NSS) board developed an input-oriented competence framework in the school curriculums as a way of promoting a culture of self-managed learning, planning and development (McAdam and Crowe, 2004). Training manuals have been designed specifying competences that are assumed to be applicable in the various work contexts.…”

“…While a competence is the ability to deliver expected performance results (Armstrong, 2006), a competence framework is a set of standardized general competences against which employees who perform their jobs correctly are observed, assessed and certified (Cheng et al, 2003). These competence frameworks are deemed to be essential at the workplace, with the aim of providing standards of performance, increasing job satisfaction and enhancing career development opportunities (McAdam and Crowe, 2004).…”

A learning and development strategy for Children's Hospices across London

“…Potential benefits of NVQs have been listed as improved skills, less skills shortages and more appropriate job-employee fit, however, there has been considerable and sustained criticism of NVQs from employers, employees and academics (McAdam & Crowe 2004). Criticisms include excessive bureaucracy, overly complex terminology and a lack of credibility of the competence concept.…”