"You say they can help me without doing the tests to get a NVQ as long as I have prior work experience and reference".
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No, you don't get the NVQ but you might have the skills and knowledge to get the equivalent professional status - which might satisfy your employer. There are different routes to CIPHE membership, so get in touch with them and find out the details given your circumstances. They will look at your experience and qualifications and suggest a membership category. Say they offer full membership, then this means you are operating at NVQ3 or above, but you will still need to satisfy whatever criteria they want. But its worth enquiring if you are frustrated with NVQs. This route would be ok for domestic plumbing.
Membership of such a body will create a rationale to discuss with your employer - you could say you are not convinced that the NVQ will be value for money and suggest a different route which you employer may be satisfied with.
On the other hand, the current system is easy so doing NVQ now will be more simple than in the very near future, when valid and reliable quaifications are developed for the sector. The NVQ route is also better if you are in industrial plumbing and on JIB pay rates which are related to NVQs.
Accreditation of Prior Learning is what NVQs were originally designed for, before they were hijacked by 'industry', but colleges would rather sell you a load of stuff instead of taking time to see what you can do. If you are working competently then someone should be able to observe this and accredit you with the qualifation without having to do a college course - they did this en mass with train to gain, so it should still be possible. I would question the requirement to do maths and english if you are a mature student.
Perhaps contact the National Apprenticeship Service NAS to see if they can give you more information on APL -
News & Media - Apprenticeships
