UK Vocational Qualifications

National Qualifications

England, Wales and Northern Ireland award the same National Qualifications with a few exceptions. These are described below, with regional differences highlighted where appropriate.

GCE A levels / AS Levels

Reforms to post-16 education have radically altered the GCE A and AS level examinations. This is covered separately here.

VCEs (Vocational A levels)

Vocational Certificates of Education (VCEs) (also known as Vocational A levels) were introduced in September 2000 to replace the Advanced GNVQ course in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The objective of the reform is to improve the standing of vocational qualifications and to increase flexibility within the system. In the UCAS Tariff system for university applications, VCE A levels are given equal status with conventional GCE A levels.

VCEs aim to provide broad vocational training, emphasising knowledge, skills and understanding. Coursework constitutes two-thirds of the unit assessment - the other third is assessed by examinations.

VCEs are offered in three different unit groupings:

The three-unit VCE AS (Vocational Certificate of Education Advanced Supplementary) is available in a relatively small number of subjects.

The six-unit VCE covers the same amount of content as a GCE A level and has been identified as the key Vocational A level by the Government. VCE A levels are offered in 14 subjects.

The twelve-unit VCE Double Award comprises six compulsory and six optional units. The VCE Double Award covers a similar amount of content as the old Advanced GNVQ, which was considered equivalent to 2 academic A levels.

The VCE AS and the VCE A level will be graded on the A-E scale. Students completing the VCE Double Award qualification are awarded a double grade such as AA, AB, BB, BC etc. Assessment is based upon investigative work and assignment writing.

The new VCEs provide a more flexible approach to post-16 education as they may be studied in conjunction with general A or AS levels. This is in line with the convergence of general and vocational qualifications. The only awarding bodies offering the VCEs are AQA, Edexcel and OCR.

VGCSEs (Vocational GCSEs)

Vocational GCSEs have been introduced to replace Foundation, Intermediate and Part One GNVQs (GNVQs) and will be based upon the design of the Part One GNVQ.

VGCSEs are general vocational courses of study that introduce students to a broad sector of industry or business. They are desired to provided a more hands-on approach to learning.

Students carry out their own investigations and produce a portfolio of work, which is internally assessed and externally moderated (70% of overall marks). Students' knowledge and understanding is further tested through external examination (30%). The marking scheme is the same as used for GCSEs: A*-G   - although students will be given two grades, e.g. A*A*.

They are available in the following subjects:

· Art and Design
· Applied Business
· Engineering
· Health and Social Care
· Information and Communication Technology (ITC)
· Leisure and Tourism
· Manufacturing
· Applied Science

VGCSEs consist of three units and are considered equivalent to 2 traditional GCSEs.

Rather than being offered at further education colleges as GNVQs often are, it is envisaged that the new VGCSEs will be offered to 14-16 year olds. VGCSEs will seek to aid the transition from secondary education to jobs or apprenticeships (MAs).

VGCEs are primarily offered to 14-16 year olds, although the option is available to study towards VGCSEs post-16 years (when GNVQs were usually offered).

NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications)

Outline:

NVQs reflect the skills, knowledge and understanding a student possesses in relation to a specific area of work. NVQs are not based upon the completion of a prescribed course of study: instead NVQs are unit-based, the number and size of units varying between vocational areas. Candidates successfully complete units once they have been assessed as competent in the application of those skills and knowledge. Consequently, assessment occurs within the workplace. NVQ candidates are generally employees, or students with part-time jobs or work placements.

NVQ Framework:

NVQs are occupational qualifications and are available at the 5 levels of the National Qualifications Framework.

There are also 11 framework areas in which NVQs are offered. These are:

· Tending Animals, Plants and Land
· Extracting and Providing Natural Resources
· Constructing
· Engineering
· Manufacturing
· Transporting
· Providing Goods and Services
· Providing Health, Social and Protective Services
· Providing Business Services
· Communicating
· Developing and extending knowledge and skill

Reference can be made to http://www.qca.org.uk/nq/subjects.asp for further information.

National Occupational Standards:

National Occupational Standards detail all aspects of competent performance and related outcomes considered relevant to an occupational role.

The bodies with responsibility for developing and monitoring National Occupational Standards are known as Standards Setting Bodies (SSBs). In recent years, this role has been played by the National Training Organisations (NTOs). With the introduction of Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) to replace NTOs in April 2002, the role will now switch to SSCs.

MAs (Modern Apprenticeships)

Modern apprentices are generally 16 or 17 years old and are recruited either directly by employers or alternatively by training providers. Training providers then place the apprentices with suitable employers. Apprentices are selected based on whether they will make good employees rather than good apprentices.

MA programmes:

The MA programmes have been designed for specific industries by the relevant National Training Organisation. These programmes define the points for progression, qualifications to mark the different levels of achievement and key skills.

MA programmes consist of a mixture of general vocational and occupationally specific training. Individuals obtain a number of different qualifications during the apprenticeship period, including NVQs and Technical Certificates. The training also includes the acquisition of Key Skills. An apprentice therefore covers a much wider scope of work than an employee undertaking a NVQ.

Modern Apprenticeships are offered in more than 80 employment sectors and, in total, comprise almost 500 qualifications. They are available at two levels:

· NQF level 2: known as the Foundation Modern Apprenticeship in England and   by its original title, National Traineeship, in Wales;
· NQF level 3: the Advanced Modern Apprenticeships in England and simply the   Modern Apprenticeship in Wales.

Although Awarding Bodies issue individual vocational qualifications within the MA programmes, the final MA certificate is awarded by the relevant NTO.

Technical Certificates:

In April 2001, Modern Apprenticeships were remodelled so schemes consisted of relevant NVQs, Key Skills and new off-the-job qualifications known as Technical Certificates. Technical Certificates are closely related to the Certificate Supplement scheme.

NTOs were subsequently asked to identify qualifications that would act as Technical Certificates for the Modern Apprenticeships. In certain cases, existing qualifications have been used, whilst in other cases new qualifications have been developed. This process was completed in March 2002.

GNVQs (General National Vocational Qualifications)

GNVQs are generally offered to post-16 college students and either take one or two years full-time study to complete. The courses are aimed to be a vocationally oriented alternative to GCE A levels and GCSEs. Each GNVQ is related to a broad area of work, but is designed to provide students with general education as a preparation for employment or further study.

GNVQs are unit-based qualifications assessed through a combination of continuous portfolio assessment and short test papers. Providing they meet all the necessary requirements, students can be awarded certificates for each unit that they complete, even if they do not obtain the full award. GNVQs are only awarded by AQA, Edexcel or OCR.

GNVQs are offered in 14 broad vocational areas and were available at 3 levels:

* The Vocational Certificate of Education has now superseded the Advanced GNVQ. Foundation and Intermediate GNVQ will be replaced by the Vocational GCSE in September 2002. The academic year 2003-4 will be the last year in which students will be able to enrol upon the remaining GNVQ courses.

Part One GNVQs

Other Qualifications

Foundation degrees

Key Skills

Welsh Qualifications