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Most craftsmen learn their skills from their parents, relatives and loved ones, but they do not obtain a valid document proving that they truly master their particular craft. The NVQ certificate that an individual can obtain is therefore of great importance to the individual, as well as to the potential employer. The NVQ enables craftsmen to acquire a formal profession, which contributes to employment and preservation of cultural heritage. We are aware that professions in the field of cultural heritage can be particularly challenging as they often represent a way of life, yet they are fully equivalent to all other professions.
The Marianum Institute Veržej
The requirements for competitiveness set out in foreign markets, as well as the situation in the domestic labour market, have led to the introduction of the NVQ system within our industry. The requirements for an increased amount of professionally qualified employees have increased with the modernisation of production using new technologies. Based on the analysis of the educational structure of employees, we found that there is an educational deficit of occupations of the III and IV levels of mechanical-oriented education, namely in production and production-related jobs. The inconsistency between actual and required education accounted for almost a quarter of all employees. Even more so, this discrepancy emerged when sales increased, causing a lack of professional workforce in the field of mechanical engineering. These reasons led to a reform of internal regulations and the introduction of the NVQ system.
From the point of view of our company, the advantages of the NVQ system are related to the acquisition of a profession for those who do not currently have one, as well as the possibility of a rapid retraining of those who already have one, since the NVQ system allows them to obtain the necessary knowledge. Individuals are also given the opportunity to progress in the workplace, since we have integrated the NVQ system in the job planning scheme.
Mahle Electric Drivers Slovenija, d.o.o.
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
My employer has presented me with the possibility of being included in the programme intended to earn the Production machine operator NVQ certificate. I was positively surprised. I was also very satisfied with the NVQ certification programme and would like to thank all the participants. By earning the NVQ certificate, I was promoted to a job position for which I was previously not sufficiently educated.
Uroš Bohak
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
You never know when a certificate will be a useful addition to your life. I have wanted to be a bobbin lace teacher ever since I was a child. This desire has transformed into the motivation to obtain the Bobbin lace maker NVQ certificate. For many years, I have been gaining experience in the field of bobbin lace making by attending lessons at the Idrija Lace School which I attended in the Col department, since this is where I come from. I was attending these lessons as a schoolchild, as a pupil and as a student. All of my will, efforts, enthusiasm and motivation have culminated in my wish to obtain the certificate which proves that I am qualified, that I have the required knowledge and that I am qualified to create high-quality bobbin lace products.
What does the national vocational qualification that you have earned mean to you, and how does it help you as you exercise your profession or your activities?
For me, the Bobbin lace maker NVQ certificate is a confirmation of all the knowledge and skills in the field of bobbin lace making that I have acquired throughout my life. The certificate also means that I am a professional in my field and that I can perform my work in a high-quality, professional manner, which opens up new possibilities as I independently engage in this profession in a classroom, with pupils. With the Bobbin lace maker NVQ certificate, I can prove my competencies and motivation to perform a specific profession – bobbin lace teacher. I pass on my knowledge to my pupils, hoping that some of them will decide to earn their own Bobbin lace maker NVQ certificate since this is not only the domain of retired women and museum collections but also concerns young people – and this world belongs to the youth!
Ines Čuk
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
I decided to earn the Structural and civil engineering worker NVQ certificate because, after 20 years of working as a mason, I had no certificate to show for it. I obtained the certificate at my own volition because I do not need a visa to work, since I am a citizen of Slovenia.
Beseim B.
This year, after six years of working in Slovenia, mainly in construction companies, they told me that I could prove my knowledge by applying for the NVQ acquisition procedure. I successfully passed the exam and earned the Structural and civil engineering worker NVQ certificate. Since I only completed elementary school, this means a lot to me.
Elmaz L.
We believe that the knowledge acquired during formal educational is insufficient for employees to be able to successfully perform their work, so in addition to tailor-made workshops, we decided to enable some employees to acquire the NVQ certificate of a telemarketer which allows them to obtain an official certificate or proof. We consider the NVQ certificate in two respects:
- for the employee, this is an opportunity for each individual to obtain a public formal proof of qualifications acquired (which they will be able to use in the labour market in the future), and it also represents a planned development of their own knowledge and competencies.
- In terms of the company, we believe that the acquisition of the NVQ certificate is a confirmation that the employee has acquired the appropriate competencies to work in the call centre, and that they are able to perform their work according to a higher quality standard and more professionally. Employees with the acquired NVQ certificate represent an added value in the market for the company, thus enabling a higher level of its services.
Telekom Slovenije, d.d.
At the time of the introduction of NVQ in Slovenia, our forestry company did not employ inadequately qualified workers. However, we saw this system as an opportunity to obtain new, suitably qualified workers who could be performing safe and efficient work in the forest, by taking an appropriate approach, thus attracting potential employment candidates.
Another advantage of the NVQ system for our company is also the fact that, if the need and interest arise, individual workers can be retrained or reassigned to another position by obtaining appropriate qualifications. In doing so, we can make use of the capacities of those employees who have the necessary skills to perform several different jobs and job tasks.
The interviews carried out with employees who have obtained a NVQ certificate confirm the relevance of the introduction of this system. All employees that were hired and allowed to obtain a NVQ certificate wanted to work in the forest, which was not possible due to legal provisions, despite their knowledge and skills. They also see the advantage of being able to acquire several professions for various job positions. The universality thus obtained is also an advantage when it comes to maintaining employment or finding a new one.
Soško gozdno gospodarstvo Tolmin, d. o. o.
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
I decided to earn the NVQ certificate even before I started working at the rescue station. I mainly made this choice because of the need for additional knowledge and broader opportunities to pursue my desired profession.
What does the national vocational qualification that you have earned mean to you, and how does it help you as you exercise your profession or your activities?
To me, the NVQ means a confirmation of the additional knowledge and competencies that I have acquired since I need them for my work and they truly come in handy.
Peter Čop
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
I decided to earn the NVQ certificate because I always wanted to learn every detail of this profession. Such knowledge is very important in terms of health and customer satisfaction. As an economist, I didn’t have enough knowledge to even be able to do this kind of job. However, I always had an overwhelming desire to officially become a manicurist and a make-up artist.
What does the national vocational qualification that you have earned mean to you, and how does it help you as you exercise your profession or your activities?
For me, the NVQ is a great confirmation of all the knowledge that I have acquired through my education. It is impossible to obtain that kind of extensive knowledge during one-day courses or on social media. I think it is very important to build proper foundations before you can start upgrading your knowledge. The fact that I have earned the NVQ means a great deal to me in terms of my job, because every client can now see my approach and the course of my work for themselves. And this is what helps me stand out from the crowd of other competitors.
Natalija Štaleker
Businesses were facing a major challenge. All resources needed to be reorganised in order to implement external market penetration strategies and to satisfy demanding customers. In order to achieve competitive ability, commercial attraction, and business success, we had to invest in new technologies, equipment, computer programs and information and communication equipment, as well as increase professional competence of employees.
In view of the above, the company also had to plan new competences in its annual strategic plans and objectives. The acquisition of an NVQ certificate to meet the professional needs of the economy has several advantages. Companies can rapidly additionally train their staff and reconcile the needs for new insights and competences, while employees acquire a public document enabling them to obtain the competitive potential to become employed, as well as an additional argument for the stimulating part of personal income. At the same time, they also become flexible employment assistants.
EMO – Orodjarna, d.o.o.
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
I have been in dairy farming for over 15 years. I was acquiring knowledge during various courses and seminars at home and abroad; this profession takes a lot of practical knowledge, and since the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia is ready to attest to this knowledge, it would be a shame to not earn a certificate. I will continue my education in the future since I am well aware that you can never know too much.
How does the national vocational qualification that you have earned help you as you exercise your profession?
Most importantly, this national vocational qualification will bring me some sort of motivation and confirm that I am on the right track. It is possible that this certificate will also be of use to me in some other way in the future, for example as proof of the fact that I have acquired certain knowledge.
Judita Demšar
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
I have been a janitor for the past 10 years. I work at a spa. When I was young, I didn’t have the opportunity to learn a trade, so I took the initiative and learned all sorts of home repairs. I gradually moved up the ladder in the company where I was working, and started doing a good job as a janitor. While I was searching for a way to prove my knowledge and obtain a certificate, I came across the NVQ programme.
Silvo Šalamon
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
For a long time, I found the profession of real estate agent truly interesting, mainly due to the obsolescence of the way in which most existing companies currently carry out this activity.
What does the national vocational qualification that you have earned mean to you, and how does it help you as you exercise your profession or your activities?
Despite the fact that I was already interested in real estate before, I learned a lot of new things during the NVQ certification programme. The NVQ programme also enabled me to become an independent entrepreneur in the field of real estate, and I am now successfully cooperating with a real estate agency.
Nejc Svete
Why did you decide to earn an NVQ certificate and how does the national vocational qualification that you have earned help you as you exercise your profession?
At first, massage was a hobby for me. Then, I started thinking more and more often about turning it into my profession which would enable me to combine my hobby with the provision of social security. I have followed quite some training sessions on different techniques and types of massage. Earning an NVQ certificate seemed like a logical continuation of this path. I consider this as some kind of official confirmation that I have obtained the required and necessary theoretical, practical, professional and general knowledge. Of course, my education obviously does not end there, since this is a continuous, life-long process. However, by obtaining an NVQ certificate, I think that I have acquired an official confirmation of my competence as a provider, which is also a guarantee of safety for my clients. At the same time, it serves as a basis and incentive for any further training sessions in this area, and for a better quality of my work in general.
Jelka Lenič
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
For five consecutive years, I have been carrying out the job and work tasks of a Roma assistant at an elementary school. I am currently employed by Ljudska univerza Kočevje which employs about 20 Roma assistants in the framework of the project. I work at Osnovna šola borcev za severno mejo and at Osnovna šola Slave Klavore Maribor. Last year, I attended the first certification process for obtaining the Roma assistant NVQ certificate. I was extremely motivated to obtain this public certificate since the NVQ certificate was a condition for me to be able to perform this work. Otherwise, I completed my studies at the commercial college. My mission is working with children: I simply feel most useful when I am helping children learn, when I monitor them, help them by translating things for them, etc. To this day, I still remember the process of putting together my personal portfolio. I believe that my effort in preparing the portfolio was repaid by the fact that I am still one of the first 31 people in Slovenia with this certificate. The portfolio stays with you forever – it is a place where you can collect education certificates, reference letters, creations, etc. You can introduce yourself at any time using this portfolio, and even add new components. We have created our portfolios with the assistance of the NVQ advisor at the Andragogical Institute of Maribor (Ljudska univerza) where the first certification took place. The committee has decided to only award the certificate based on the confirmed portfolio.
How does the national vocational qualification that you have earned help you as you exercise your profession?
If I wanted to become employed as part of the LU Kočevje project, I had to obtain my Roma assistant NVQ certificate. Before that, me and other assistants were a part of longer education projects which somehow culminated in obtaining this certificate. Without in-depth education, we never would have been able to navigate the complex waters of schoolwork; at the same time, new pedagogical and psychological content has also broadened my horizons. Personally, I would like to see the work of a Roma assistant become a permanent job position. I would like to continue with this special work with Roma children and their parents.
Valbone Haliti
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
This decision was motivated by the fact that, despite many years of experience in the nursing home, I could always acquire some additional knowledge and information that I would need to help the elderly in their homes.
How does the national vocational qualification that you have earned help you as you exercise your profession?
Nowadays, a lot of elderly people need home care. By earning a Social carer NVQ certificate, I will be able to offer quality assistance that they will need or require from me.
Nataša Bauer
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
I decided to earn the Assistant chef NVQ certificate because of the fast-paced education possibilities and lifelong learning. We are all learning and thinking about our own educational path. One of them is also the national vocational qualification (NVQ) programme which offers the opportunity to evaluate and validate the skills acquired through informal learning. The national vocational qualification system offers numerous national vocational qualifications which are required by companies. Since I also had the opportunity to take up a new job position, I opted for the NVQ. As a pastry chef, I passed the few missing exams and got the title of Assistant chef. Personally, I really liked cooking classes since they allow you to learn a lot and also give you some confidence; they make you see that you can truly do something yourself.
What does the national vocational qualification that you have earned mean to you, and how does it help you as you exercise your profession or your activities?
For me, obtaining this certificate is a type of self-affirmation. I was interested in this job and I was happy that I got it. This certificate is proof of my knowledge, of my competencies, and nobody can take this away from me. I successfully used my certificate to pursue further qualification as a Chef. I believe that we must all learn throughout our lives; the spectrum of our knowledge must always be expanded, broadened, upgraded. We need to be aware that the workforce is rapidly changing, and we need to be prepared for that.
In my opinion, NVQs are the best answer to the fast-paced changes on the labour market.
Aleksandra Pohorec
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
I have decided to earn the national vocational qualification certificate of a security guard because I truly wanted to become a security guard in order to contribute to a higher level of security in the society, and according to the legislation, this was the fastest way to start pursuing this profession. The certificate also coincides with my way of life and thinking, since I attach particular importance to safety. Although the programme needed to obtain the national vocational qualification is relatively short, it allowed me to gain a lot of knowledge and obtain an even greater awareness of safety through lessons provided by renowned experts in the field.
What does the national vocational qualification that you have earned mean to you, and how does it help you as you exercise your profession or your activities?
Since the need for security is one of the basic human needs, it is noticeable that an ever-increasing number of companies and individuals are deciding to protect their assets. Obtaining this certificate has allowed me to meet the necessary condition to finally be able to start working at a security company, which gave me an opportunity to participate in guaranteeing a safer society. For me, the Security guard NVQ certificate is a confirmation of my skills acquired as part of this training. The knowledge that I have acquired allows me to perform my work confidently, professionally and legally. The story of a security guard obviously does not end by earning the NVQ certificate since you can further educate or specialise through individual private security modules, which is what I have decided to do.
Aleš Gerjevič
The providers of wellness services must first strive to acquire professional knowledge and experiences. And this is precisely what the main mission of the NVQ system is supposed to be. Since we do not (yet) have a formal education system in Slovenia in this field, the responsibility of NVQ providers is even greater. For an employer, a professionally trained and well qualified labour force is extremely important.
Therefore, employers definitely consider the NVQ system as providing several advantages:
- easier staff selection;
- employees with an NVQ certificate have the required competencies, experiences, and knowledge for a specific position;
- an acquired NVQ certificate ensures greater quality and professionalism of the work provided by the individual;
- the employer with employees who have obtained an NVQ certificate has a competitive advantage on the market since this will allow them to provide high-quality services;
- the fact that the service is provided by employees holding an NVQ certificate is intended to provide a certain guarantee to the user of the wellness service that the service will be provided in a high-quality and safe fashion.
Salon dobrega počutja Lučka, s.p.
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
12 years ago, when I opened my own farm, my life was suddenly full of new challenges. I have gradually upgraded my knowledge in the field of fruit farming during various courses where I learned more about agriculture, safe use of plant protection products, and agricultural machinery. Due to a gradual increase in production and, as a consequence, the placement of crops and products on the market, I felt the need to earn an official qualification.
What does the national vocational qualification that you have earned mean to you, and how does it help you as you exercise your profession or your activities?
In addition to being able to present myself and my products on the market in a more confident fashion, this NVQ certificate will indirectly (through my farmer status) be useful for me for purchasing new agricultural land (pre-emptive right) and obtaining subsidies for the further development of my farm.
Matevž Žiberna
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
I am a young person with a Level 4 professional education. Since I was unable to get work in my chosen profession, I decided to work in the kitchen and train to become an assistant chef, which was recommended to me by the Employment Service of Slovenia. I was not sufficiently qualified to work in the kitchen, which is why I joined the training to earn the Assistant chef NVQ certificate.
At the end of this training, I have earned a certificate which I believe has provided me with more reliable conditions for employment in the hospitality industry.
How does the national vocational qualification that you have earned help you as you exercise your profession?
With the Assistant chef NVQ certificate, I gained a lot of knowledge in the field of cooking and catering. I have gained a lot of expertise, so I can perform work in the kitchen or in the catering industry according to all the required principles of safe and healthy nutrition, while considering the occupational safety measures and the principles of the HACCP system. I now find it easier to do the work that I am trained to do, which also contributes to an overall better quality of my work.
Polona Kerš
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
I chose the profession of a home-care attendant and to obtain the Social carer NVQ certificate because I believe that there are many elderly people out there who need our help. I don’t normally work in this profession, but it still benefits me in various ways and provides me with a broader view of the various factors affecting the elderly.
Petra Perhaj
Why did you decide to earn a national vocational qualification certificate?
I was mainly guided by the increased competency needs at my workplace.
How does the national vocational qualification that you have earned help you as you exercise your profession?
I am extremely pleased with the training. Not only have I succeeded in meeting my goals, I also managed to prove to others that it is never too late to educate yourself. Obviously, the NVQ certificate also helped me acquire new knowledge which I was immediately able to use in my work process. Earning the certificate has brought me a promotion and greater responsibility in the workplace.
Saša Taljat
Why did you decide to earn an NVQ certificate?
I have decided to earn the Safety advisor for the transport of dangerous goods NVQ certificate because of the increased scope of works and tasks in my own company, namely in the field of advisory services in the transport of dangerous goods. For 11 years, my company has been active in various areas of consulting, such as consulting in the field of chemicals, cleaning products, biocidal products, cosmetic products, etc. Due to the aforementioned fact, these products have also had to be transported from one country to another, or from one company to another. We know that these goods most often travel by road, rail, air and water, which is why I started paying attention and looking for more information, which I was later doing online. I gathered the first information while performing control visits in companies where I provide consultancy services in the aforementioned areas on a contractual basis, as well as by reading safety data sheets of dangerous chemicals. I was offered the opportunity to improve my knowledge, which is why I decided to apply for the procedure of obtaining the Safety advisor for the transport of dangerous goods NVQ certificate. As the rules in this area are regularly amended and updated, renewal verifications must be carried out once every five years. I have successfully renewed my NVQ certificate for the third time during this period.
How does the NVQ that you have earned help you as you exercise your profession?
The NVQ certificate and the knowledge that I have acquired enable me to perform the tasks of advising on the transport of dangerous goods, namely as a safety adviser on the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail. The transport of dangerous goods poses a significant risk to other road users, as well as a risk of environmental pollution. Therefore, all undertakings involved in the transport of dangerous goods, such as carriers, consignors, consignees and transport organisers, must take all necessary measures to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. The acquired NVQ certificate enables me to successfully advise these companies on how to meet legal requirements and, in particular, what measures need to be taken to minimise the risk of transporting dangerous goods, and I have been doing that for the past 11 years.
Marta Lačen