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Some
of the Questions we've been asked recently regarding fish
industry skills, along with our Answers. If you cannot
find what you want then please email a question to onshore@seafish.co.uk
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- What
should I do next?
- First
step is to read these questions and answers. If you still
have questions then contact Seafish on 01482 486482 or email
onshore@seafish.co.uk
- If
you are interested then please give me a call or email to
register your interest.
- Ask
for a diagnostic from Seafish or one of the centres we are
working with click here.
- Still
interested? Get a Centre to give you a detailed proposal,
with costings so you can consider it. If you want, ask two
centres for proposals or ask Seafish to comment on the value
for money.
- What
is the qualification equivalent to?
- Level
2 IPQ and NVQ qualifications are usually considered equivalent
to GCSE Level. This includes Intermediate Apprenticeships;
- Level
3 qualifications are usually equivalent to A levels. This
includes Advanced Apprenticeships.
- Is
it recognised by any other bodies?
- These
qualifications are nationally recognised in every sense as
they are awarded by bodies such as FDQ
Ltd, City and Guilds (Level 2 only);
- What
is the cost?
- Impossible
to say without knowing which units you want in your qualification,
how much training you will need etc. Costs will depend on
how many people are taking the qualification in the business,
the town and the region. Funding availability will also have
an impact as will choice of provider. This is something to
rough out early on and to discuss in more detail as the picture
unfolds.
- Is
Funding available?
- Yes
and No. It depends on who you are, where you are etc. If funding
is available then the amount may vary. This is something that
Seafish and the Seafood Training Academy cannot advise on
directly as we do not hold the funds. You should interrogate
the approved centre adviser on this
- Can
you send us the course curriculum?
- Not
really as there isn't one. The frameworks for these qualifications
are such that 90% of the units available will not be included
in your qualification, only the 10% that are important to
you. What each provider will do is come up with a scheme of
work for each learner based upon the units selected and the
experience / knowledge of the learner.
- Don't
think of it as a course, but as a journey over which you will
have considerable control.
- How
is it delivered?
- It's
delivered by an Approved Centre (approved by the awarding
organisation [FDQ, City and Guilds, Pearson Group or SQA])
who will carry out assessments;
- Some
assessments of skills units will take place in the workplace
(most common with Level 2)
- Some
assessments of knowledge units will be by written evidence
provided by the learner. This may include assignments
and projects;
- The
Approved Centre should be recognised by Seafish (see this
list);
- Training
for some of the units may be required. Training isn't usually
included in the cost unless there is funding available. In
this case the employer should carefully discuss with the Approved
Centre what is and what is not funded, and if necessary negotiate
a good deal for the business.
- It
should not be delivered quickly. This is an opportunity to
develop knowledge and skills, not JUST to get a piece of paper.
If in doubt speak to Seafish.
- What
additional training/learning may be needed?
- The
training/learning will depend of course on the units chosen
by the learner and their existing level of knowledge and experience.
Some of this training may be self-directed online research,
perhaps assisted by Seafish, while other training could mean
attending a training course or completing an open learning
programme. Examples of additional training may include a Level
3 food safety qualification, H&S training, additional
learning re marketing and promotions, etc. Seafish and the
NFFF will work together to signpost as much as is possible,
online and free learning resources that can be used by the
learners to develop their own skills and knowledge. Each learner
will be slightly different in their needs and approach.
- Is
this different to other NVQs
?
- Yes.
- Unlike
other NVQs, the fish and shellfish industry skills Level 2
and 3 qualifications really do contain a
lot of fish and shellfish content;
- They
are very, very flexible and can (and should) be carefully
tailored to each individual learner's needs.
- The
best way to find out is to ask an approved centre adviser
for a Diagnostic. Or you can ask Seafish for this.
- I've
already done one VQ, can I do another?
- Yes.
- It
doesn't usually cause a problem for funding, provided you
qualify under other criteria. Ask your approved centre.
- Where
is this qualification available?
- We
are working with approved centres throughout England for Level
2 and Level 3.
- In
Wales we hope to have the Level 3 available very soon. The
Level 2 is already available there.
- In
Northern Ireland we are working to establish a centre for
both level 2 and 3 as soon as possible.
- In
Scotland the :Level 2 SVQ is already available and we are
developing a Level 3 to be ready in early 2014.
- To
see who we are working with click
here.
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questions and answers |
