I was fortunate enough to be able to undertake my NVQ 3 under the train to gain scheme, which i started last september at a local college. however what i was not told that under this scheme i have to complete in 12 months. I know i am not going to complete hopefully 6 units will have been signed off and i am told by my assessor that i can use the 6 completed units they will be recognised and i will have to fund the last 2 units myself. is this correct. and why was i not told this at the start. my assessor has only given me this information when we met 2 weeks ago. i will be meeting again on Thursday when basically what has not been done is not going to get done. How am i supposed to complete. have i done all this work for nothing.

Hi Suedawn

Train to gain is a monster when it comes to rules and administration! I have asked at work for an answer about our area (West Yorkshire) bit it may be different. I haven't had a candidate who has gone over 12 months - most completing in 6-7 (level 2).
The attitude of the college seems a tad skewed as we view any funding as payment to us for delivering the NVQ and if it takes 18 months, so be it. The cost will be balanced by the ones who complete in 5 months.
There are some funding schemes which have claiming limits but it's up to us to get our candidates through, if we don't we bear the burden.
I think you need to be tough with the college and insist on them completing your NVQ as you weren't told about the time limit at the start. If your assessor appears negative then send a letter to the college principle, stating your case.

Good luck.

Dave

Oh another thought! If you don't complete, the college will not get their completion payment from Train to Gain which is worth a lot. Why are they stopping?

Thanks i will let you know what my assessor has to say especially in view of the latter comment. i have a tutorial with her on thursday morning. I got off to a bad start as though the college took me on they had trouble finding an assessor to agree to come out to my work place as though i lived within the college travel zone my work place was outside so the first 3 months i struggled alone apart from the once a month college work shops. my work place was no help as no one was interested in NVQ even though they were the ones who wanted me to do it. any way thaks for the advice and wil let you know the out come.

Yet another thought.

If you only have two units to complete, you probably already have a fair bit of evidence for them so why not suggest that you have a couple of sessions at the college so your assessor hasn't the travelling and get it done that way?

Dave

Well it would appear that if i want to complete my NVQ i have to fund any uncompleted units. The college receives funding for all completed units which with the ones i handed in today amounts to 6. As far as i am concerned it should have been 7 but though i had covered all the KS for unit 336 and also the PCs because my assessor had not actually set me any work she would not accept the work i had done, surely providing that what i had done covered the criteria does it really matter that it was met without her setting me goals. also most of 33 has been completed probably another few days and it would have been done therefore all 8 units could have been signed off.but again work not acceptable for the same reasons as above. The college will allow me to complete the other 2 units through them but will need to fund myself. but i feel i want to do it some other way. is it possible to do on line or a postal system for the last 2 units. why should i pay the college i feel really let down. I am in Hampshire please guide me what to do. Thanks in advance i know some one will send me in the right direction.

Hi suedawn, have you investigated the appeals procedure for the NVQ? Katrina

Dear Sue
We maybe able to help you out and discuss this further . Please contact us directly at W&P
Jo

Thanks jo i will contact shortly. sorry i have not replied sooner i have been away on my hols. My port folio has gone in for marking as soon as i receive back and know exactly where i stand i will contact.

Not ignoring i am still waiting for my assessor to get back to me and return my port folio, until then am stuck to see exactlt what has and has not been signed off. This is very annoying as unable to do any work towards closing as i dont have the P.Cs to hand to know what i need to do. I think hey are deliberately taking an age as this stops me from completing before the deadline day which is 25th September.

Hi Sue

It may be an idea to contact the awarding body to see what they have to say on the matter.

Good luck with it.

Dave

jo_wandpadministrator
Hi Jo its been a while since i wrote on this forum explaining my predicament in completing my NVQ 3 and i am not much further forward as since my last time of contact i am still waiting to get my port folio returned. However i have been in touch with the college who have informed me that i am not likely to get it returned until the external verifier visits the college again on 30/3/2009. The college will forward me certificates for my completed units which are as follows 31. 32. 35. 330. 375. Although i had done some evidence towards other units in fact as far as i was concerned i had got almost enough evidence to complete but my assessor would not accept as i had done work off my own back rather than work set by her or the college.
can you tell me if you would be able to help me to complete with 3 remaining units and also what it will cost. I have changed my job (still in care) and hopefully more support than i was given at my last place of work. I am eager to be able to complete i dont want to think the work done so far will have been a waste of time.The college have said they dont know if they will agree to reinstate its dependent on space. Please can you help.