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NVQ L3/4 - is it worth it?

Ethan Jones

So, I am 22 now and I have just changed industry following a sponsored degree. 

I was doing my sponsored degree working in a wire harness manufacturing setting. My role included new product introduction, creating instructions, process improvement, and so on.

My new role is as a technical support engineer for a UPS company. I have managed to get settled in fairly quickly. Whilst I am probably some way off being fully knowledgeable in the role, I am able to get by day-to-day pretty much on my own. Of course, some of the niche problems or queries I have to ask about (especially where there is no literature) - but I like to think I am getting there! 

I completed my sponsored degree, but I was hoping to get a full apprenticeship. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I did not get the opportunity to complete a statutory apprenticeship. I did not enrol onto the competency qualification (NVQ/C&G/etc.) Now I have a BEng (Hons), but I feel I have missed out on the apprenticeship certificate and competency qualification.

My questions are: 

  • Is it worth now looking at doing a work-based competency qualification? Is getting that NVQ going to help me improve as an engineer or help my career in future? 
  • Would I be better off at level 3, or just skipping to level 4? I completed a level 2 (including PEO) about 4 years ago
  • How much time off work does it require? Is it possible to complete just writing up assessment questions in the evenings/during breaks?
  • Finally, is my role suitable for an NVQ?
    • My main role is providing telephone support to field engineers and users. I read logs, wiring diagrams, manuals, and then interpret them to deduce the cause of faults and advise on actions to repair
    • I also provide support for network monitoring software and the associated hardware including for MODBUS and SNMP networking (setup, helping with faults, etc.) I am by no means an expert in this field
    • I create manuals/guides for our products to assist engineers and end users

 

Many thanks in advance!

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  • 0
    • is it worth now looking at doing a work-based competency qualification? Is getting that NVQ going to help me improve as an engineer or help my career in future?
    • Would I be better off at level 3, or just skipping to level 4? I completed a level 2 (including PEO) about 4 years ago
    • How much time off work does it require? Is it possible to complete just writing up assessment questions in the evenings/during breaks?
    • Finally, is my role suitable for an NVQ?

    Developing  competency based  skills have been very useful to me throughout my career. Level 3 appears to be the standard level for practical work, although design, inspection, testing and instrumentation might be regarded as closer to level 4.

    I would suggest that night classes, if they still exist, and/or day release is perfectly reasonable as the work you are doing at present sounds interesting and varied. 

    I'm not too sure how you might compare you specific role to any known NVQ. It depends where you want to be.

    I did my degree in electronics and computing, but I did earlier qualifications in building services and electrical systems. I used to spend much of my time inspecting and testing, design and installation across a range of electrical systems.

    Legh

Reply
  • 0
    • is it worth now looking at doing a work-based competency qualification? Is getting that NVQ going to help me improve as an engineer or help my career in future?
    • Would I be better off at level 3, or just skipping to level 4? I completed a level 2 (including PEO) about 4 years ago
    • How much time off work does it require? Is it possible to complete just writing up assessment questions in the evenings/during breaks?
    • Finally, is my role suitable for an NVQ?

    Developing  competency based  skills have been very useful to me throughout my career. Level 3 appears to be the standard level for practical work, although design, inspection, testing and instrumentation might be regarded as closer to level 4.

    I would suggest that night classes, if they still exist, and/or day release is perfectly reasonable as the work you are doing at present sounds interesting and varied. 

    I'm not too sure how you might compare you specific role to any known NVQ. It depends where you want to be.

    I did my degree in electronics and computing, but I did earlier qualifications in building services and electrical systems. I used to spend much of my time inspecting and testing, design and installation across a range of electrical systems.

    Legh

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