30th January 2011, 11:47 AM
I have my own opinions about them.... which may sound negative, but personally, I would spend money doing specilaist specific stuff.. a survey course, an osteo course... the NVQ may work eventually... but its not worked just now. In fact most trainers when they at last got trained, are now out of date, so have to be retrained, before they can train... <sigh>
I am working with Manchester Uni just now on the Skills Passport... a more fluid and reactive way to gain skills, prove them and then use this passport as a means to employment ... but of course, we have little cash to move forward on this...
I also (and many others of the older lags) have no degree.. and I often say to employers... a degree is only saying you are able to get a degree.. as a field arch.... it say nought! it has an importance, but not in knowing how to excavate a posthole, or survey a field. The NVQ was a good idea that is not - in my opinion worth diddley squat.... an avocational course that is cheap, that is modular, that is recognised... is that so hard?
To answer your question, get skills.... gain proficiency in drawing, in survey in GIS .... prove it and become an asset
I am working with Manchester Uni just now on the Skills Passport... a more fluid and reactive way to gain skills, prove them and then use this passport as a means to employment ... but of course, we have little cash to move forward on this...
I also (and many others of the older lags) have no degree.. and I often say to employers... a degree is only saying you are able to get a degree.. as a field arch.... it say nought! it has an importance, but not in knowing how to excavate a posthole, or survey a field. The NVQ was a good idea that is not - in my opinion worth diddley squat.... an avocational course that is cheap, that is modular, that is recognised... is that so hard?
To answer your question, get skills.... gain proficiency in drawing, in survey in GIS .... prove it and become an asset