SVQ information for employers and candidates
Employers
Education and training for your workforce is an investment, and many companies see SVQs as an integral part of their business development strategy.
SVQs (Scottish Vocational Qualifications) give you focused, on-the-job training and development for your staff. They are an excellent way of making sure that your staff development programmes and your business strategy go hand-in-hand.
Analysis
SVQs are based on national standards of performance, developed by industry, commerce and education. Matching the skills and knowledge of your candidates against these nationally agreed industry standards gives you a good idea of where there is room for improvement.
This skills and knowledge matching is a useful business exercise in its own right - following this up with an effective SVQ programme to develop the skills of your staff gives you a significant competitive edge.
Performance
Once training and development are underway and people are working towards their SVQs, many employers notice the benefits
Candidates
SVQs tell you exactly what to do in a job to do it well. They are based on national standards created by industry, commerce and education. So if you have an SVQ, then you have a way of proving that you do your job well.
SVQs tell employers:
- you can do your job confidently and well
- you are motivated, confident and ambitious
- you are ready to take on responsibility
- you are committed to your work
Who can do SVQs?
All kinds of people do SVQs, you might:
- be a new recruit with lots to learn
- have lots of experience but no way to prove it
- be taking part in a training scheme at work
What's available?
There are SVQs for nearly all occupations in Scotland, from forestry to IT, management to catering, journalism to construction. And because they are available at five levels of difficulty - SVQs help you to progress throughout your working years.
What should you do now?
If you are in a job, talk to your boss about SVQs. There may be a programme set up in your workplace or, if not, your employer can contact us:
- 0303 333 0330
- complete our contact form