Running out of time
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
I read with interest Nursery World's article on the NVQ assessor shortage (News, 2 June). At the time of reading I considered myself, an NVQ assessor, and my co-assessor fortunate to have a college that understood the time that is needed to develop a candidate and help them achieve the NVQ. This meant that we were able to be confident that our candidates would be good practitioners when they went to work in early years settings in our county.
At the time of reading I considered myself, an NVQ assessor, and my co-assessor fortunate to have a college that understood the time that is needed to develop a candidate and help them achieve the NVQ. This meant that we were able to be confident that our candidates would be good practitioners when they went to work in early years settings in our county.
Little did I know what was in store! Our employers have decided to standardise all NVQ assessor pay and conditions regardless of what NVQ they are assessing. Consequently, we have been given two hours to travel to the setting, observe, feedback, discuss and mark each unit. We were told Government cutbacks were to blame.
The Government is forever talking about quality childcare, but this seems to be forgotten when the trainers of future workers are given such a poor deal. The opportunity for flexibility and tailoring the NVQ for each candidate has gone. Deadlines of one year for Level 2 and two years for Level 3 have to be stuck to rigidly, otherwise we will be working with no pay.
I would be interested to know what other assessors' employment packages are like and if there is any common ground or standards that have to be adhered to.
If all assessors are treated in this way, then no wonder there is a shortage.
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