Where did NVQ process come in? You are qquite right that it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH CPD, but then again it was you who introduced that wholly inappropraite concept.........that is why I think you are confused.
The NVQ is a one-time qualification based on the assessment of evidence against a NOS, not necessarily all the NOS, or all the potential evidence either. It is a QUALIFICATION. No more. It requires no maintenance of competence , further personal development, or continual assessment thereof.
The NOS is a set of job descriptors for a role set by industry lead bodies nationally. a NOS is not prescriptive as to the evidence, the numberof times or the assessment requirements - the NVQ is. Working to a NOS means that you continue to do so and it will have terms covering such areas as relevant legislation. If you were doing an NVQ you would have to demonstrate knowledge/understanding of those areas at the time of assessment. If you are using the NOS as one basis for your CPD (Continuing personal/professional development) then you would have to CONTINUE to have the knwoldege and understanding, thus you would need to be reading professional jouranls, studying new legislation and practices - the lack of which Colin suggests is a trait of FRS FSOs, well they are not being assessed against an NOS then, which they now should be.
So, unless you wish to continue being confused and blinkered, note that there is a world of difference between working to a standard continuoulsy (CPD) and doing it enough times to get a vocational qualification (NVQ). Most reasoned professioanl trainers understand this regime, indeed for training an deductaion (as well as many other professions) it is their NOS that is used to determine the quality/sufficiency of their CPD. Are you arguing that the fire industry should ignore the real world, or that your idea of CPD (which I assume must be do what you decide is right yourself with no standard) is the best?
Misguided you almost certianly are.
Some thoughts from training and development professionals:
One defintion of CPD - The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the practitioner's working life.
(Interestingly this is a defintion that is fully covered by working to any NOS. An NOS will include a unit on personal development to ensure that you broaden skills and knowledge constantly)
WHY CPD IS IMPORTANT
First, it should be emphasised that the concept of CPD is not new. Effective professionals in all fields have always realised the importance of new knowledge, improved skills and the development of personal qualities. In effect, CPD is simply part of good professional practice. What is new, however, is the greater importance and relevance of CPD to professional success. A study undertaken in the United Kingdom (Welsh and Woodward, 1989), identified the following reasons to account for the growing importance of CPD.
Competence: It has been estimated that the knowledge gained in some degree courses, particularly IT based, has an average useful lifespan of about four years. While this will vary according to the discipline, it does nevertheless highlight the increasing need to maintain an active interest in keeping up to date with changing technology, legislation and operational procedures. If at the same time, professionals have expectations of increased managerial responsibility, the need to acquire new skills and knowledge is even more acute.
(COMPETENCE - set standards for which are known as NOS!)
Consumerism: The development of a more affluent consumer society has also resulted in a better informed and more sophisticated public. One consequence of this trend is that they expect a higher duty of care and level of service from their professional advisors than in the past. Again the skills acquired during an initial training period or during higher or further education may not equip new staff for this role.
(Continued working to a NOS will ensure that you meet the latest customer requirements - this should be reasonably clear fromt he NOS)
Litigation: The professions are increasingly at much high risk from claims of negligence than in the past. Professional indemnity (PI) insurance premiums have risen considerably in recent years. CPD may not totally eliminate PI claims; however, if sceptics are worried by the cost of CPD, such claims may help emphasise the potential cost of ignorance! Some evidence is also emerging that insurance companies may be willing to slightly reduce PI premiums, if a structured CPD programme is available to staff.
(What better basis for a structure to demonstrate in litigation that that it is the NOS you were using?)
Standards : One of the primary roles of professional bodies is to safeguard standards of competence. CPD has a key role to play in the communication of agreed standards and in ensuring that members comply with specified procedures.
Quality Management System : The increasing emphasis on quality management systems and the ethos of continuous improvement has also increased the relevance of CPD. Training and education are key elements of quality assurance processes and of the ‘Investors in People’ (IIP) standard.
(Standards of competence = NOS where written!)
Competitiveness : The recent recession has re-emphasised the highly competitive nature of modern business. Whether in the private or increasingly, in the privatised public/state sector, the competitive market edge must be partly or totally focused on client care/service quality and technological innovation. Both demand a high investment in developing people skills, if they are to be effective
(Where do you get a nice set of standards against which to assess peoples skills - NOS)
For example the CPD for teachers is based on (guess what?) a Standards Framework of the role. Umm, now why does that sound familiar?
