More people are gaining vocational qualifications (VQs) than ever before, according to one of the most in-depth studies of VQs ever undertaken. According to the report, The VQ Landscape 2008: A Review Of Vocational Qualification Achievements in the UK, at least 3.25m VQs were awarded in 2006-7 — up from 1.5m in 2002-3. This included 673,000 NVQs and their Scottish equivalent, a rise of 67% during the past five years.
The study, published by the education foundation Edge in July, defines a VQ as a recognised award that is designed to allow people to enter, or advance in, a specific line of work. It includes HE programmes such as higher national diplomas (HNDs) and qualifications awarded by professional bodies.
Although the majority of VQs are achieved by young people, more than half of NVQs and SVQs are awarded to people aged over 25, and a quarter to people over 40. VQs are also a growing feature of the school curriculum, with schools accounting for at least 155,000 vocationally-related qualifications in 2006-7, which were nearly double the previous year.
Nearly 11,000 foundation degrees were awarded in 2006-7, up 24% on the previous year, along with nearly 30,000 HNDs and diplomas of higher education. Employers report that VQs motivate young people, raise their career prospects and improve staff retention.
View the report at edge.co.uk
