An NVQ is a "National Vocational Qualification". It is a competence-based qualification: this means you learn practical, work-related tasks designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge to do a job effectively.
NVQs are based on national standards for various occupations. The standards say what a competent person in a job could be expected to do. As you progress through the course, you compare your skills and knowledge with these standards as you learn, so you can see what you need to do to meet them.
Taking an NVQ could be appropriate if you already have skills and want to improve them, or if you are starting from scratch.
NVQs are at levels one to five on the National Qualifications Framework. The framework shows how different types of qualifications compare, in terms of the demands they place on learners.

Remember, if you want to do an NVQ level two or three, or you are an employer who wants their workforce to take NVQs at level two or three, the courses may be available at no cost to you under the Train to Gain initiative.

NVQs are available to adults and young people alike. You can take NVQs if:

  • you are employed
  • you are studying at college and have a part-time job or access to a work placement

East Riding College runs NVQ courses in the following subjects. Click on the subject areas below to jump to the NVQs available.

Business and Administration Hair and Beauty
Construction  Management
Early Years and Health and Social Care         Retail Skills
Engineering Training and Development
Hospitality and Catering  

Business and Administration

  • NVQ level one Administration
  • NVQ level two Administration
  • NVQ level three Administration

    •  
    Construction 

  • NVQ level two Brickwork
  • NVQ level three Brickwork
  • NVQ level two Joinery
  • NVQ level three Joinery


    • Early Years and Health and Social Care

  • City and Guilds NVQ level two Children's Care, Learning and Development
  • City and Guilds NVQ level three Children's Care, Learning and Development
  • NVQ level two Playwork
  • NVQ level three Playwork
  • NVQ level two Health and Social Care
  • NVQ level three Health and Social Care
  • NVQ level four Health and Social Care


    • Engineering

  • NVQ level one Performing Engineering Operations
  • NVQ level two Performing Engineering Operations


    • Hospitality and Catering

  • NVQ level one Introduction to Professional Catering
  • NVQ level two Professional Catering
  • NVQ level three Professional Catering
  • NVQ level one Food and Drink Service
  • NVQ level two Food and Drink Service
  • NVQ level three Hospitality Supervision


    • Hair and Beauty

  • NVQ level one Hairdressing
  • NVQ level two Hairdressing
  • NVQ level one Beauty Therapy
  • NVQ level two Beauty Therapy
  • NVQ level three Beauty Therapy


    • Management

  • ILM NVQ level two Team Leading
  • ILM NVQ level three Management
  • ILM NVQ level four Management
  • ILM NVQ level five Management


    • Retail Skills

  • City and Guilds NVQ level two Cleaning and Support Services
  • City and Guilds NVQ level two Customer Service
  • City and Guilds NVQ level three Customer Service
  • City and Guilds NVQ level two Retail Skills
  • City and Guilds NVQ level three Retail Skills
  • City and Guilds NVQ level two Warehouse and Storage

    Training and Development 
  • City and Guilds NVQ A1 Certificate in Assessing Candidates
  • City and Guilds NVQ A2 Certificate in Assessing Candidates’ Performance through Observation
  • City and Guilds NVQ V1 Conducting Internal Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process