UK Vocational Qualifications

Technical and Vocational Qualifications

Skills for Work Courses have been introduced to encourage school students to become familiar with the world of work. They involve a strong element of learning through involvement in practical activities which are directly related to a particular vocational area. They are available at a range of levels and are normally delivered by a school and college working in partnership.

National Certificates are larger Group Awards, also built from National Units and primarily aimed at 16 -18 year olds and adults in full-time education, normally at a college. They prepare students for more advanced study or employment.

NPAs are small Group Awards built up from National Units. They are designed to develop and assess a defined set of skills and knowledge in specialist vocational areas. They are linked to National Occupational Standards – the basis of Scottish Vocational Qualifications.

NPAs range from Access 2 to Higher, and are mainly used by colleges for short programmes of study, such as part-time programmes for those already in work or return-to-work programmes for the unemployed.

SPAs are normally subsets of SVQs and offer learners an opportunity to achieve a group of Units which encourages progression to a full SVQ. The design rules are very flexible, allowing SPAs to meet the needs of occupational sectors. They can comprise SVQ, National and Higher National Units or a combination. They can help a learner develop capability and demonstrate potential to prospective employers. These are currently being replaced with National Certificates and National Progression Awards.

SVQs are based on the National Occupational Standards originally developed by National Training Organisations (NTOs) and now falling within the remit of Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). Typically an SVQ is achieved in the workplace. Some SVQs or SVQ Units are incorporated into other awards or programmes including HNCs, Scottish Progression Awards and Modern Apprenticeships. SVQs combine work-based competences and underpinning knowledge.

There are 5 different levels of SVQ. At present SVQs are notionally placed on the SCQF between levels 4 and 11. Projects to refine the position of individual SVQs are underway. The report of the first phase was issued in August 2006 and subsequent phases are expected to report in 2007 and 2008. Work is also underway in consultation with NTOs/SSCs, to develop an agreed model for allocating credits to SVQs.

Higher National awards (HN) include Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Higher National Diplomas (HND). They are composed of Higher National Units which are assessed against outcomes and performance criteria to ensure national standards. Both awards are vocationally orientated, enabling students to enter the workplace with relevant professional skills. Many HNDs allow the holder advanced entry into the second or third year of degree courses.

In 2003, SQA introduced a new set of design principles for Higher National Certificates and Diplomas. These were developed after extensive research and consultation, and are known as the ‘2003 design principles’. They replace a set of rules that had been established during the previous review of HN qualifications in 1988. This programme of modernisation will be completed by the end of 2008 meaning there will be a period when old and new-style HN qualifications will run concurrently.

HN Awards since 2003

The four new features of the 2003 design principles are:

• SCQF level and credit points
• Graded Units
• Mandatory section
• Core Skills

SCQF level and credit points: All Units in revised HNCs and HNDs are allocated SCQF credit points and levels. Units are normally at SCQF levels 7 or 8. Each Unit has eight SCQF credit points.

All HNC Group Awards are at SCQF level 7 and are allocated 96 SCQF points. All HND Group Awards are at SCQF level 8 and are allocated 240 SCQF points.

Graded Units: All HNCs and HNDs designed according to the new principles contain one or more Graded Units. These are part of the mandatory section of the Group Award.

• HNCs have one Graded Unit worth 8 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 7
• HNDs have one Graded Unit worth 8 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 7, plus 16 SCQF points from Graded Units at SCQF level 8

The purpose of the Graded Unit is to assess the candidate’s ability to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills gained while working towards the HNC or HND, and to demonstrate that he or she has achieved the principal aims of the qualification. Graded Units are project-based or examination-based. Graded Units are graded A, B or C - with C being competent, A highly competent, and B somewhere in between.

All HNCs and HNDs will have a mandatory section of core Units (including Graded Units) that every candidate will take. HNCs will have a mandatory section of no less than 48 SCQF credit points. Eight of these credit points must be from a Graded Unit at SCQF level 7. HNDs will have a mandatory section of no less than 96 SCQF credit points. Sixteen of these credit points must be from Graded Units at SCQF level 8, and eight from a Graded Unit at SCQF level 7.

Core Skills: All HNCs and HNDs will provide opportunities for candidates to further develop the five Core Skills of Communication, Numeracy, Information Technology, Problem Solving and Working with Others to a specified level. The level of Core Skill development will be established through market research.

HN awards prior to 2003

The basic structure of HNCs and HNDs has not been changed by the 2003 Design principles and the duration, structure and outcomes of the older awards are similar to those outlined above. However, these qualifications do not include Graded Units and Units within these awards will not normally have SCQF levels.

Higher National Certificates and Diplomas designed under the 1988 rules will remain valid for many years to come, and will be found on the Scottish Qualification Certificate with Merit Statements.

Modern Apprenticeships (or MAs) were established in 1994 by employer-led partnerships between National Training Organisations (NTOs) and Local Enterprise Companies (LECs). On 1st April 2002, NTOs were replaced by Sector Skills Councils (SSCs). These independent, employer-led organisations have continued the work of the NTOs in overseeing apprenticeship programmes and in setting the national standards of performance that SVQs are based on. Apprenticeships are designed to meet skill requirements at the crafts, technician and junior management levels and are aimed at those aged 16 and above who are capable of achieving an SVQ at level 3 or above.

Modern Apprenticeships provide a coherent programme composed of SVQs and the five Core Skills. The final apprenticeship certificate is presented by the appropriate SSC (or the appropriate NTO prior to 2002). However, it is usually the SQA that certifies the SVQ and Core Skills achieved within the MA.

Modern Apprenticeships require both on-the-job training in the workplace and theoretical study in a further education college or training centre. The actual training content (besides Core Skills and the SVQ) is determined by the relevant SSC and there is no fixed duration as MAs are competence-based. Since their inception, MAs have proved a popular option for many young people as the learner works towards a nationally recognised qualification in a vocational area while gaining valuable practical skills in the work place and thus increasing their employability.

PDAs are qualifications for people already in a career who wish to develop an aspect of their existing skills, develop new ones or change direction. PDAs are of varying sizes and exist at SCQF levels 6 through to 12.

Regulatory Authority: The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) / National Training Organisations (NTOs)
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)