ABSTRACT
Congratulations! Starting a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) course for teaching assistants is both challenging and exciting. NVQs for teaching assistants (TAs) are based on the National Occupational Standards produced by the Local Government National Training Organisation (LGNTO 2001). NVQs are designed to provide valid and relevant vocational qualifications that are valued by the workforce. Gaining an NVQ can provide progression routes to further training and career opportunities. Those who complete an NVQ Level 2 may wish to continue on to an NVQ Level 3. Those who gain an NVQ 3 may wish to apply for the Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) award or possibly enrol on a foundation degree. And of course a foundation degree can be the first step towards a teaching qualification. However, whatever level you are at and whatever level you wish to aspire to, enrolling on an NVQ course will give you the opportunity to study and discover more about supporting the students you are working with. An NVQ gives you the opportunity to reflect or think about what you are doing in the classroom and to think about how you can improve on your practice.
