Vocational Training

The National Occupational Standards underpin the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in England and Wales and the Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Scotland. NVQs/SVQs define what employees do in their jobs, based on practical skills demonstrated in the workplace. They help to validate and build on the technical but also personal and inter-personal skills that are vital to the sector.

The e-skills NTO NVQs/SVQs cover the following work areas:

• Using IT
• IT & Electronic Services - Support
• Developing IT

Please click on the links below for further information on the e-skills NTO NVQs/SVQs:

• General information on NVQs/SVQs – This NTONC section includes details on NVQs/SVQs, their benefits for employers and employees and how they are achieved and accredited.
• e-skills NTO Qualifications Map (PDF file)– which include the IT NVQs/SVQs (for users and professionals across sectors of industry) and the IT Services NVQ/SVQs (for professionals in the IT Services industry)
• IT & IT Services Standards – Units & Elements (PDF file).
• IT Services NVQs/SVQs (PDF file) for professionals in the IT industry – The IT Services NVQs/SVQs have recently been reviewed and the new standards have now replaced the old ones
• IT & IT Services NVQs/SVQs – Q Numbers & Awarding Bodies
• Awarding Bodies – Contact Details
• IT Systems Support Technician – This new qualification, developed in collaboration with industry and education, underpins the IT Services NVQ/SVQs, in particular the NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Customer Systems Support.
• ECDL and IT NVQ mapping - The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) has been mapped to the NVQ/SVQ 'Using IT Level 2'. When completing an NVQ/SVQ 'Using IT Level 2', candidates can get exemptions from ECDL module tests. Please refer to the ECDL and NVQ/SVQ mapping page for a form to claim exemptions (included in the mapping PDF document).

NVQs/SVQs can be achieved as qualifications in their own right or as part of a training programme such as a Modern Apprenticeship (Foundation or Advanced), Graduate Apprenticeship or Foundation Degree .

For details on how NVQs/SVQs relate to vendor and other commercial qualifications, go to " Prove You Can Do IT ".

For copies of the NVQ/SVQ standards, please check the Publications section.

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