National Vocational Qualification
Level 5 in Operational Management

These notes list unit titles and elements of competence as defined by the UK's NVQ Level 5 standards for operational managers. They are presented here for student study and general information purposes as they may help in

• understanding problems of job analysis and role specification
• designing learning and development programmes for managers
• evaluation of performance appraisal issues.
• a critical evaluation of competences-based approaches to occupational assessment and accreditation.

 

The national standards describe generic competences for operational managers and are applicable across a wide range of occupational sectors.

Units and Elements of Competence

Standards are defined in terms of

• FIVE mandatory units of competence and
• 16 optional units of competence of which, to secure the NVQ 5 qualification, the operational manager must demonstrate competence in FOUR of the optional units.

Each unit broadly describes what a competent manager should be able to do in particular aspects of the job. The atomised elements of competence then reflect the performance-related skills, understandings and abilities that operational managers are expected to possess.

Offering evidence of competence for elements of units provides the basis for assessment. The performance criteria for each element illustrate examples of what (outcomes) a manager must demonstrate to an assessor. Examples of circumstances and situations in the work environment (range indicators) where the competences are applied are also defined. The intention is that that assessment properly reflects the everyday reality of work events and activities.

Presenting Evidence for Assessment

Each element of competence in the NVQ5 management standards requires items of evidence to be presented by an operational manager who is making a claim to be accredited (recognised) as being competent in the role related behaviours described by the element.