The Role Of The Employer
Work based learning is exactly as the name states –work-based. Without employers
it would not exist. NVQs are not academic qualifications and they are not
really a training scheme or programme of learning. They are a measure of
a person’s competence to complete a job role. The major part of any NVQ is
practical performance of tasks in a realistic working environment. The assessment
judgements on the level of competence achieved are made at the workplace
rather than a college or training centre.
Your role is absolutely pivotal in both the training and assessment.
What we expect of employers:
- To familiarise yourself with the units and elements of the NVQ that are
necessary for the learner to achieve.
- To offer the learner a variety of
work experiences and give them training and guidance to perform tasks with
due regard to Health and Safety .
- Check the learner records tasks successfully completed on the JOB SHEETS
issued by DART to the learner.
Read through the reports the learners have made on JOB
- SHEETS and add
any comments that will help encourage the learner or add meaning
to the report they have written.
- Sign and date JOB SHEETS to authenticate the record.
- Meet with DART assessor to agree targets for learners. These targets need
to be realistic and obtainable within a reasonably short timescale.
- Alert DART staff of any changes in your business or the learners own situation
or motivation that might affect their progress and achievement.
- Cooperate with DART staff in allowing access at reasonable times for us
to assess the learner’s practical skill level. Often this
involves watching the learner doing their normal work routines. On other
occasions we may need to ask the learner questions and for them to explain
and/or demonstrate specific skills.
- Do visual risk checks at all new sites.
- Ensure the learner is always treated fairly and not harassed or bullied at work and that every effort is made to provide a safe working environment.