WHAT ARE NVQs?

NVQs are work-orientated qualifications that are best suited to those who have current real work experience but can be achieved by someone undertaking a period of training through a work-experience placement. They are open to candidates of any age and of either gender. There are no entry barriers on grounds of race, creed or previous academic attainment, learning or experience. NVQs assess a candidate’s competence against national occupational standards. The standards for these qualifications have been developed by the Distributive NTO, which is the government-approved national training organisation for the distributive sector including, distribution, warehousing, retail and wholesale. It is recognised that individuals and employers must be responsible for gaining the skills needed to meet ever-changing business objectives which will, in turn, lead to improvements in efficiency and effectiveness throughout organisations.

In order to obtain an NVQ a candidate must provide evidence that they consistently meet the qualification standard over time and across a range of circumstances to meet changing demands. Candidates are expected to have sufficient understanding to enable them carry out tasks competently.

WHO ARE THESE NVQs FOR?

There are three Warehousing, Distribution and Storage Operations NVQs, each of which is made up of a number of units. Some units are mandatory and some are optional.

• Level 1 is suitable for candidates who are new to a retail or distribution, warehousing and storage environment. They may be following government training programmes, following a training programme in preparation for work or school leavers.
  
• Level 2 is appropriate for candidates who are already competent in basic skills but require recognition of a wider range of abilities within the distribution, warehousing and storage sector. Candidates may wish to gain the qualification to demonstrate competence gained previously in the sector or associated industries or may wish to progress from a Level 1 NVQ in Distributive Operations and gain the Level 2.
  
• Level 3 is aimed at those who are already competent in a significant range of varied activities and who require recognition for a wider range of abilities in these sectors. The candidate may occupy a senior operative, team leader or supervisory role, or they may be progressing from a Level 2 NVQ to Level 3.

THE BENEFITS

EMPLOYERS

Introducing NVQs can impact positively on your organisation through:

• improve staff performance
• increased skill levels
• more highly motivated staff
• improvements in the quality and service provided

CANDIDATES

By gaining an NVQ individuals are likely to benefit from:

• a clear understanding of responsibilities
• the development of new skills
• the recognition of existing skills
• opportunities to improve service
• improvements in working practices
  

QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORKS

DISTRIBUTIVE OPERATIONS LEVEL 1

To achieve the NVQ candidates must successfully complete a total of six units. This must be made up of three mandatory units and three optional units.

Mandatory Units

• Help to keep the workplace secure
• Help to keep the workplace healthy and safe
• Work effectively

Optional Units

• Move goods and materials manually
• Keep stock at required levels
• Wrap and pack goods for customers
• Give customers a positive impression of yourself and your organisation
• Keep the workplace clean and hygienic
• Keep equipment in good working order

DISTRIBUTION, WAREHOUSING AND STORAGE OPERATIONS LEVEL 2

To achieve a full NVQ at this level a candidate must finish three mandatory units and five optional units.

Mandatory Units

• Contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace
• Contribute to keeping the workplace secure
• Work effectively in own organisation

Optional Units – Group 1: Stock Storage and Order Processing

• Receive goods and materials into storage
• Put goods and materials into storage
• Maintain the quality of goods in storage
• Dispatch goods and materials
• Assemble bulk orders for distribution
• Pick stock and make up orders
• Process orders for goods
• Process returned goods and materials
• Process donated goods for resale or recycling

Optional Units – Group 2: Promoting Products to Customers

• Help customers to choose products
• Provide information and advice to customers
• Give customers a positive impression of yourself and your organisation

Optional Units – Group 3: Customer Services

• Maintain the safety of high-risk goods and materials
  

Optional Units – Group 4: Organisational Effectiveness

• Maintain the safety of high-risk goods and materials
• Maintain hygiene standards in handling and storing food products
• Operate specialised plant and machinery to performance requirements
• Lift, transfer and position loads

DISTRIBUTION, WAREHOUSING AND STORAGE OPERATIONS LEVEL 3

At Level 3 candidates should complete 8 units: 2 mandatory units plus 6 optional units. A maximum of two units from Optional Group 2 will count towards the NVQ.

Mandatory Units

• Contribute to a safe and healthy working environment
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships

Optional Units – Group 1: Stock Management

• Organise the receipt and storage of goods
• Audit stock levels and stock inventories
• Maintain systems and facilities for distributing stock
• Monitor and modify systems and facilities for distributing stock

Optional Units - Group 2: Customer Services

• Organise, deliver and maintain reliable customer service
• Improve the customer relationship
• Work with others to improve customer service
• Monitor and solve customer service problems
• Promote continuous improvement

Optional Units – Group 3: Organisational Effectiveness

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of operations
• Plan, monitor and adjust staffing levels and schedules
• Contribute to the selection of personnel for activities
• Contribute to the development of teams and individuals
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with those for whom you have responsibility
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of service provided by external suppliers
  

Please feel free to contact our marketing department for further information.