The NVQ Portfolio Building: Evidence Collection & Learner Support course provides comprehensive guidance on the effective creation, organisation, and submission of NVQ portfolios. National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in the UK are assessed based on a learner’s ability to demonstrate competence in a work-based setting, and the portfolio is the primary tool used to capture this evidence. This course demystifies the portfolio-building process and empowers learners, assessors, and support staff with the skills to plan, gather, structure, and review assessment evidence with confidence and clarity.

Beginning with an introduction to the NVQ framework and the purpose of portfolios, learners explore the roles of key stakeholders including assessors, internal quality assurers, and the learners themselves. The course outlines what types of evidence are acceptable for portfolio assessment, including direct, indirect, and supplementary forms, and explains how to align them with qualification standards and performance criteria.

A strong emphasis is placed on planning and organisation. Learners are taught how to create a tailored portfolio action plan that maps out their evidence against qualification units and learning outcomes. Time management techniques and strategic planning help learners manage their workload, collect evidence efficiently, and ensure that their portfolios are both complete and assessable within given timeframes.

As learners progress through the course, they gain hands-on knowledge of how to collect various forms of evidence, from workplace observations to professional discussions and digital logs. The course covers the use of digital tools and apps to gather and present evidence in modern e-portfolio formats, ensuring accessibility and security while meeting regulatory expectations.

Organising the portfolio is another core component, with learners guided through best practices for indexing, labelling, and mapping evidence clearly to NVQ units. Topics such as authenticity, validity, and currency are explored in detail to ensure that evidence meets the required assessment principles. Learners also learn how to incorporate reflective logs and self-assessment tools to enhance their personal learning and development journey.

In the latter part of the course, attention shifts to the crucial role of the assessor. Participants learn how assessors guide portfolio development, provide constructive feedback, and support learners through challenges, including those with additional learning needs. The course also promotes a learner-centred approach, encouraging independence, self-reflection, and professional growth throughout the assessment process.

The final section focuses on preparing for submission, internal verification, and standardisation procedures. Learners explore how to conduct a final self-assessment, manage revisions, and respond to assessor or IQA feedback professionally. Case study examples and mock submission activities reinforce the practical application of course content, preparing learners for real-world portfolio compilation and review.

By the end of this course, learners and education professionals will have the confidence and competence to build and support NVQ portfolios that meet awarding body expectations and uphold quality assurance standards.