Good administrators are essential to any organisation, and proven skills in business and administration as demonstrated by possession of an NVQ can make your CV stand out as well as help improve your workplace and organisational effectiveness. Given that up to 7 million working people in the UK are involved to some degree in administration, having a nationally recognised, flexible work-based qualification in this area can help you stand out.

The four levels build on each other, introducing new topics and adding depth to others covered in previous lower levels.

• Level 1 covers routine activities and daily tasks.
• Level 2 acknowledges individual responsibility and a degree of autonomy in their role. It qualifies the holder to work in any administration position.
• Level 3 recognises complex work skills including supervisory responsibilities. It requires candidates to have a wide range of work activities and to be directly involved in developing, implementing and maintaining administrative procedures whilst working with customers and clients.
• Level 4 demands technical or specialist expertise; it is appropriate for people with a very wide range of complex technical and professional tasks to perform with a substantial degree of own responsibility and autonomy. It is most usual for the candidate to have subordinates and will be involved in the development, implementation and monitoring of all administrative services within their organisation.

Each level of NVQ consists of a specific total and ratio of mandatory and optional units.

• Mandatory units include (Levels 2, 3 and 4): Carrying out your responsibilities at work; Work within your business environment.
• Examples of optional units include: Ensure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety; Deal with visitors; Work effectively with other people; Produce documents and use IT systems.