Vocational Qualifications and Higher Education: Some Policy Issues

Abstract

This article reviews the reactions to higher-level National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in the United Kingdom in the context of certification levels by level and subject. The most successful higher NVQs are linked to professional qualifying routes, have generic application across a range of sectors or fill gaps where qualifications were not previously established. Research among the main stakeholders to gauge their attitudes towards higher NVQs shows that, among positive aspects, some adverse attitudes still exist surrounding issues of comparability, the assessment experience and the design of occupational standards. Suggestions for overcoming these issues are given. However, the wider picture shows that support for occupational standards is strong and it is the use of standards, which may or may not involve NVQs, that will help to drive forward new policy initiatives addressing participation in the sector.