The assessment process
Once we have received your approved application form and fees you will be:

• Invited to attend one of the following ‘Induction and eNVQ introduction’ days in Coventry: 
  • April 7th & 8th 2008
  • September 16th & 17th 2008 
  • October 14th & 15th 2008
• Allocated an assessor who will work closely with you throughout your NVQ
• Allocated an internal verifier who will ensure the quality of the assessor’s work

Your assessor will contact you within one month of the induction day to organise an initial visit.
 

1st visit:
This provides you with an opportunity to meet your assessor face to face in order to decide which units to complete and to draw up an assessment plan.

Following visits:
It is the candidate’s responsibility to collect evidence towards their portfolio. However the assessor is available for support and guidance.

The assessor and candidate should communicate with each other at least once a month.

Assessment:
Once the candidate, assessor and internal verifier are satisfied that a unit is ready for accreditation, the portfolio can be submitted to the NVQ Centre for submission to a monthly-held ‘Lead and Chief IV Day’.

The lead IVs are individuals who are occupationally competent in the specialist area of your NVQ.

The chief IV monitors the assessment and internal verification process ensuring a consistency of standards.

If the unit fulfils the national occupational standards, unit accreditation will be awarded.

Once all units necessary to attain the full award are completed and assessed, a full certificate will be awarded.

All units submitted are subject to random review by an external verifier (independent to RICS).

RICS support mechanisms:

Within reason, candidates can contact their assessor if further support beyond the monthly contact is required.

Candidates can meet directly with a lead or chief internal verifier at monthly surgeries to discuss their portfolio.

If candidates are dissatisfied with their assessor, the complaints procedure is in place to resolve issues.

NVQ Centre staff are available for consultation during normal office hours.

Quality control:
As an ABBE accredited centre with direct claim status, the NVQ Centre is privileged to be able to certify candidates directly. It is therefore essential that a consistency of standards is upheld.

The RICS NVQ Centre has implemented a successful infrastructure, designed to support the candidate whilst upholding standards across the board.

The use of internal verifiers, lead internal verifiers and a chief internal verifier ensures consistency within the verification process. Bi-annual assessor standardisation days are utilised to dissimilate information and familiarise assessors with developments, ensuring their continued compliance with awarding body requirements.