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• Undertaking an SVQ

  Undertaking a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) is a great way to get qualified whilst you work. It allows you to ‘earn whilst you learn’.

  SVQs were created to provide people in the workplace with a qualification to evidence the role they are undertaking. To undertake an SVQ you must be in a role that enables you to evidence that you are undertaking the role as the qualification outlines. 

  The beauty is that there are many different ways to achieve the qualification. This enables us to fit the qualification around you and your employer.

• Delivery Methods

  Whilst our name may be ‘Virtual’ we actually deliver this qualification in a number of ways.

  Online with Tutor Support

  ~ this method involves access to our online learning portal. Your tutor will meet with you online once a month (Teams or Zoom) to discuss tasks required and provide you with feedback. The tutor will also identify appropriate learning content and set access to this for you. There will be a requirement for workplace observation during the course of the qualification.

  In the Workplace with Tutor Support

  ~ this method involves your tutor visiting you once a month. They will discuss tasks to be undertaken, provide feedback and observe performance in the workplace. You will be provided with access to our online learning portal to upload your evidence and access learning content. 

  In-house

  ~ Our in-house methodology has been very successful. Where there are more than four candidates within the same workplace our tutor will meet all in the group once a month. This is particularly useful for employees to share experiences and learn together. Currently during covid this is being delivered via Microsoft Teams.

• Learning

  The key learning on an SVQ comes from within the workplace. It’s about what you do on a day to day basis.

  However, at the VLA we are proud of our wide range of learning content which is available to support our students and ‘plug’ knowledge gaps. Your tutor will identify what learning is required and set a learning plan with access to our resources to support you.

• Assessment

  One of the key benefits of undertaking an SVQ is the flexibility in the methods of assessment. 

  Unlike formal education assessment is made from the evidence you have produced for each unit. Assessment methods can be changed to fit learning styles, learning disabilities and personal or work commitments. Again this helps us to overcome any barriers to achievement.

  We don’t do failure! We keep working with you until a unit is passed. There are no formal exams (exams only for Accounting and Project Management). 

  Assessment will involve one or all of the following:

  ~ Observation in the workplace. Where possible your tutor will observe you whilst you work. This is a great way to evidence that you know it and you can do it.

  ~ Questioning – oral or written. We will evidence your knowledge through questioning which can be a discussion with your tutor or written reports.

  ~ Work Products. This is a great way to evidence what you do within the workplace. Work products such as emails, reports, minutes of meetings, screenshots etc can all be used to evidence tasks undertaken.

• Support

  Our mission at the VLA is to work with individuals ‘to break down the barriers to learning to ensure achievement for all’.

  Many of our students and candidates come to us with barriers. These could be geographical, work or personal commitments, learning style or learning difficulty. 

  We work with you to identify any issues and develop a plan to support you. Our tutors are very experienced in this area and will happily amend and change your programme to support you.