NVQ Unit Assesment

[kris8583]

Appologies if there is already a similar thread;

The problem I am having is that my assesor has returned unit 3 and 4 due to insufficient evidence to cover knowledge and understanding for the units.

I had used my FT9s to cover the knowledge and understanding as i thought it a reliable way of proving i know the theory behind the actions i have taken at incidents.
(For example; house fire, correct entry procedures carried out due to risk of backdraught etc. So if im using correct technique surely it stands to reason i know why im doing it).

He has rejected the units because he says FT9s do not show where underpinng knowldge has come from, so i have used a list of all SOP/GRA/BA courses that i completed at training school to show where my knowledge and understanding has come from.

If anyone has had similar problems or know of a better way to get these units completed please comment.

[fireftrm]

Firstly you need to avoid jargon - what is an FT9??
To demonstrate K&U you need to show you have it, it cannot be implied form you doing something. Correct use of entry procedures does not show that you knwo why, it shows that you did it, but cannot show your understanding. If I open a door one particular way it could be that I am simply copying from what I have seen others do. Giving a list of where the knowledge comes form doesn't wash either. I can provide you with an instruction manual for a Boeing 747, but I a can assure you I have no K&U of hwo to fly one. The only reliable way to demonstrate K&U is answers to questions, written, or verbally asked.

The best place to find out how to present this evdience is by asking your assessor. It is their job to provide this support and they HAVE to tell you hwo to do this.

[kris8583]

Appologies, an FT9 is a form used to complete various aspects of the unit from incidents, detailing what tasks i have done.

Previous trainee Ffs have crossed referenced these to their K&U but the rules for completing the units have since changed for some reason, yet no memo or indication was given for future trainees.

I have included some Q & A for the units and when i asked my assessor how to provide evidence he said that K&U are gained from reading SOP/GRA etc and TB1/97 specifically for BA, which I do agree with.

Thats why I compliled a list of all K&U we did at training school, as it made sense that that was where all our underpinng knowledge was from.

In our brigade once the unit has been assessed I then have a meeting with my assessor to confirm my K&U by questioning, this seems a messed up, why can he not Q&A me on the K&U and use that to complete the unit

[fireftrm]

I agree that K&U is gained as you say, but the only way to show it has is to answer questions on it. Asking questions to cover knowledge and understanding is therefore the best way, this can be during, or at the end of the unit, verbally or by written tests. What you say in the last sentence seems to say you meet the assessor who then checks your knowledge and understanding by asking questions, but you think questions and answers on the knowledge and understanding would be better? I can't get my head round your point, sounds to me like saying that painting a door red is the way we do it, but that having the door painted red would be better.

Cross referencing what you have done to K&U is definitely not right and should be rejected by External Verification, that is probably why your service no longer accepts that. Changes in assessment processes should eb promulgated, but to assesors and form them to candidates. That you joined a later programme means you need not be told, after all it is your assessor who should be guiding you, advice from prior candidates is valuable, but not always right as processes may change, in order to improve the quality of the system - in this case to overcome very, very poor prior practice.

[kris8583]

I know it does no sound very clear il try to explain. Part of the unit is the K and U section, this is completed along with the rest of the unit by gathering evidence. After a unit is completed my assesor visits and asks questions on everything in the unit including the K and U, the point im trying to make is, if he is going to question me on K and U anyway why submit evidence beforehand, can he not use the visit to complete this part of the unit, it seems like im completing the same part twice, in the unit and afterwards.

[fireftrm]

Maybe, but the assessor needs to confirm that you do know and understand and to do that must question you. The other evidence you have is in what form? How is the other part completed? If it is by you filling in to say where you gained the K&U that actually is not evidence, all it say sis 'that  book is hwre the data is contained', if it is written answers to questions by you then this, alone, is not sufficient as anyoine could have written the answers for you, etc, etc.

You are right that, if all questions are covered during the assessor meeting, two sets of evidence for K&U are not required.

I am concerened that it sounds as if your assessor only 'visits' when your unit is finished', is this right? If so how do you finisha unit before they come round as every one (expect 2) requires an observation by the assessor. Also assessment should be ongoing and not when a pile of evidence is ready. Despiute being a totally wrong way to run an NVQ it leaves it late to put you on the right path if not already there.