National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) recognise the ability of individuals in the workplace. They are based on the competencies required for employment as determined by industry. These competencies are known as National Occupational Standards (NOSs) and specify in detail what entails good practice, having been developed by the relevant Sector Skills Councils together with industry. NOSs form the framework against which NVQs and other related qualifications and training are developed. Details of NOSs are available at www.ukstandards.org/.

The NVQ framework covers five levels from the basic skills to advanced professional and managerial roles. Each NVQ provides a breakdown of the experience and knowledge needed, against which a candidate capabilities can be evaluated through the assessment of a portfolio of evidence.

You don’t have to have an NVQ or other equivalent qualification to be eligible to apply for a bursary placement – you just have to be able to demonstrate that you have the level of competency in a relevant building skill. This can be done through the Bursary Application form. Details of these competencies will be available as part of the Trainee specification for each bursary placement, so you can check whether you can demonstrate these skills and knowledge.

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