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Academic qualifications
Academic qualifications - these are gained from courses that study the theory of a subject, such as GCSEs; AS/A2 Levels; Higher National Diplomas (HNDs); Degrees etc.

These courses are usually studied at a Further Education College or University but are sometimes provided for in the community. There is normally quite a lot of written work on these courses.

Vocational qualifications
Vocational qualifications - these are gained from courses which are linked to occupational areas. They enable students to gain the knowledge and skills to do a job, such as NVQs, GNVQs, City & Guilds; OCRs (RSA).

These courses are often studied in the workplace with day release to Further Education Colleges or Training Centres. A more 'hands on' practical approach is used.


Qualification Equivalent Chart Academic/Vocational

Wordpower or Numberpower

BEC General Cert/Diploma with Credit
BTEC First Diploma
City & Guilds Higher Op/Craft
GNVQ Intermediate
NVQ Level 2
RSA Diploma

BEC National ONC/OND
BTEC National ONC/OND
City & Guilds Adv Craft
GNVQ Advanced
NVQ Level 3
RSA Adv Diploma

NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications)

• Introduction
• The Structure of NVQs
• Training Areas Currently Available
• National Database of Vocational Qualifications
• Further Information

Introduction

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are work related qualifications, which are available in England and Wales.


They differ from other qualifications in that:


- The award of an NVQ does not depend on a final examination.
- You can do an NVQ at your own pace, either in the workplace, in college or on a training scheme.
- NVQs are designed by employers who know what skills they want their employees to learn.
- Skills you've learnt previously can be used towards your qualification.
- For the assessments, you are observed in everyday work situations.
- Written tests are kept to a minimum.

Additionally, to be responsible for other people's work and the allocation of resources, NVQ Level 5 is suitable for senior managers.

You can start at the level that most suits your needs. If you have no experience in a job, you can start at level 1 and progress to level 2. Someone in a graduate profession might further their skills by taking a work based NVQ at Level 5.

Each NVQ consists of a number of separate units, which test specific skills.

Gradually students build up a number of units, which all go towards the final qualification. For example, a student studying an NVQ level 2 in Bakery Standards may do one unit about bread-making and confectionery, another about mixing operations and so on, until they have shown that they are skilled in all the areas associated with bakery.When students have completed all the necessary units, they receive a certificate showing the award title.

Training Areas Currently Available
There are many NVQs now available and the number is growing all the time.

At the moment the NVQ framework covers:

- Tending animals, plants and land
- Extracting and providing natural resources
- Construction
- Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Transporting
- Providing goods and services
- Providing health, social and protective services
- Providing business services
- Communicating
- Developing and extending knowledge and skill

National Database of Vocational Qualifications
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority produces the National Database of Vocational Qualifications which contains information about different vocational qualifications, how they relate to one another and how they relate to jobs. To find out where your nearest National database is located, ask at your local Learning & Skills Council (LSC).

Further Information

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
83 Piccadilly, London W1J 8QA
Telephone: 020 7509 5555
Website: www.qca.org.uk

More information can be found on the DfES Waytolearn www.waytolearn.co.uk website.