29th July 2008, 02:49 PM
Kate Geary has kindly answered the questions...
At the moment there are 3 assessment centres registered, including IFA. Others are in the process of training staff etc. A small number of RAOs are considering becoming assessment centres but it will only make sense for the largest organisations to consider this option, because of the time and costs involved. That said, for those organisations intending to incorporate the NVQ into their in-house training programmes, becoming an assessment centre would lead to economies of scale. We envisage that most archaeological organisations would team up with the IFA or another local assessment centre to offer the qualification.
The IFA centre has 23 candidates registered as of today. I wouldn't know whether the other assessment centres have candidates registered
How many accessors a.re there right now?
IFA has 9 trained or training assessors, including staff from English Heritage and the Nautical Archaeology Society. Again, I wouldn't know about other assessment centres.
The NVQ isn't college-based (although it may be offered by colleges and universities). As described above, evidence is collected in the workplace (or other archaeological environment - the NVQ is equally relevant and available to those who work in archaeology in a voluntary capacity). Once the assessor is satisfied that all the requirements of the core and optional units have been met, the qualification is awarded. Evidence also goes through an internal verification process within the assessment centre and an external verification process with the awarding body to ensure consistency and provide quality assurance.
This hasn't been decided yet, IFA is considering whether to have a smaller number of substantial bursaries (covering all or the majority of costs) or a higher number of bursaries of lower value.
As above, in addition to the IFA, there are a couple of other assessment centres already established. The awarding body, EDI, already offers NVQs in Cultural Heritage within the museums sector and these will be museums with archaeological expertise. You can get more information from the EDI website on http://www.ediplc.com.
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers
Quote:quote:How will it work for people in 4 week employment patterns?The way the NVQ works is this: a candidate registers with an assessment centre and is assigned an assessor. The assessor goes through the requirements of the core and optional units they have signed up for with the candidate and together they develop an action plan detailing what evidence they need and how they will gather it to prove competency. This can include work that has been completed previously, via assessment of prior learning. Evidence can be work products such as reports, drawings, plans, sections, photographs etc or it can be observation (by the assessor or by a supervisor) of the candidate carrying out work activities, professional discussion with, or questioning of, the candidate or can even be recorded (audio or visual). The assessor, as well as assessing whether the evidence meets the requirements for the particular unit the candidate is working on, needs to attest that the evidence is current and genuine. The assessor stays with the candidate throughout the whole process, regardless of where they are working so the evidence could be gathered in a number of different workplaces. Obviously, it makes life a lot easier if the employer(s) are supportive of the process but the key thing is the link between the candidate and assessor, and the onus is on the candidate to produce the evidence. The whole process (and this is true of all NVQs, not just this one) is designed to be as flexible as possible, recognising the fact that candidates might have all sorts of different work patterns.
Quote:quote:How many employers have signed into this scheme to become assesment centres?
At the moment there are 3 assessment centres registered, including IFA. Others are in the process of training staff etc. A small number of RAOs are considering becoming assessment centres but it will only make sense for the largest organisations to consider this option, because of the time and costs involved. That said, for those organisations intending to incorporate the NVQ into their in-house training programmes, becoming an assessment centre would lead to economies of scale. We envisage that most archaeological organisations would team up with the IFA or another local assessment centre to offer the qualification.
Quote:quote:How many people have signed up to do the NVQ as of today?
The IFA centre has 23 candidates registered as of today. I wouldn't know whether the other assessment centres have candidates registered
How many accessors a.re there right now?
IFA has 9 trained or training assessors, including staff from English Heritage and the Nautical Archaeology Society. Again, I wouldn't know about other assessment centres.
Quote:quote:Where do you actually get this NVQ?
The NVQ isn't college-based (although it may be offered by colleges and universities). As described above, evidence is collected in the workplace (or other archaeological environment - the NVQ is equally relevant and available to those who work in archaeology in a voluntary capacity). Once the assessor is satisfied that all the requirements of the core and optional units have been met, the qualification is awarded. Evidence also goes through an internal verification process within the assessment centre and an external verification process with the awarding body to ensure consistency and provide quality assurance.
Quote:quote:
As the cost is too high for all field staff (excepting those that are in permenamt work and have a kind employer) - what sort of reduction (ballpark) are the IFA looking at being able to provide?
This hasn't been decided yet, IFA is considering whether to have a smaller number of substantial bursaries (covering all or the majority of costs) or a higher number of bursaries of lower value.
Quote:quote:the statement
"To undertake the Qualification, candidates must register with an assessment centre. This could be the IFA or any other centre offering the qualification. " means that there must be a place to register already?
As above, in addition to the IFA, there are a couple of other assessment centres already established. The awarding body, EDI, already offers NVQs in Cultural Heritage within the museums sector and these will be museums with archaeological expertise. You can get more information from the EDI website on http://www.ediplc.com.
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers