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NVQ – The old NVQ system was extremely prescriptive, it stipulated that certain criteria within units had to be covered a number of times. This made the qualification quite time consuming. The time taken to complete an NVQ was further exacerbated by time limits which were placed on the units. Most units at level 2 could not be completed under a period of 6 months. One unit had to show that students had worked on it for a period of nine months. A long time when you consider how much teaching time was allocated to delivering NVQ.
Observations of certain criteria had to be covered a prescribed number of times. Sometimes this extended the time taken to complete the NVQ as tutors did not always have the opportunity to observe the requirements through natural observation of a student and had to wait for the opportunity to arise.
ITQ – The new ITQ is much more flexible and suits most job roles that utilize IT as a part of that role. It is not just a qualification for those in administration and IT job roles. There is now only one mandatory unit and a selection of 16 other units to choose from. This makes this qualification adaptable for anyone who uses IT within their job description.
| UNIT TITLES | UNIT VALUES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
| Make selective use of IT (Mandatory) | 15 | 25 | 35 |
| Use IT systems | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| Operate a computer | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| IT trouble–shooting for users | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| IT maintenance for users | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| IT security for users | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| Use IT to exchange information | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| Internet and intranets | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| E–mail | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| Word processing software | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| Spreadsheet software | 10 | 20 | 35 |
| Database software | 10 | 20 | 35 |
| Website software | 10 | 20 | 35 |
| Artwork and imaging software | 10 | 20 | 35 |
| Presentation software | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| Specialist or bespoke software | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| Evaluate the impact of IT | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| Sector specific unit 4 | 10 | 20 | 30 |
All units do not have to be taken at the same level to achieve the ITQ. For example to achieve level 2 ITQ:
- The mandatory unit (Make Selective use of IT) earns 25 points.
- At least 40 more points must be achieved from level 2 units.
- The remaining 35 points may be taken from level 1, level 2 or level 3 units.
A learner who has little knowledge on a subject area may choose level 1 units or an advanced user may elect to take a level 3 unit which could also be used towards a level 3 ITQ should they wish to progress.
Different unit values are assigned to each unit increasing with each level. The unit values are added together to reach the relevant total for each level. There are a variety of subject areas to choose from, all of which can be built upon across the levels. E-skills have produced an ITQ calculator which can be used to aid the individual design of an ITQ qualification.
Time Limits – There are no prescribed time limits to the ITQ other than the normal 10 week rule (certification cannot be applied for within 10 weeks of registration). A student may achieve completion of the units as quickly as they choose. The harder they work the quicker they get the qualification.
Observations – are not a prerequisite of the ITQ and there is no stipulation in the criteria that observation has to be carried out. However, it would be appropriate to include some observation within an ITQ as this would provide additional evidence to the assessor, of the level that the student is working at.
Video’s
Staff Development and ITQ – This video describes the national trends in the relating to ICT skills and the challenges this presents to training providers (requires Windows Media Player).
What is ITQ? – This video explains the ITQ and the IT User Skills Framework (requires Windows Media Player).