The VQ reforms do not have a 'target' number of vocational qualifications. The 'right' number of qualifications is the number that results from the process of identifying employers' and learners' needs and developing vocational qualifications in accordance with those needs.
Skills Campaign, Skills Pledge and other initiatives aim to increase the training provided and undertaken. The VQ reforms aim to increase the proportion of work based learning which is nationally accredited.
Therefore, the 'right' number of accredited vocational qualifications may ultimately be higher than the present number. However, a key objective is to make the system easier to understand and navigate for users. A large number of similar titles and duplication of vocational qualifications have contributed to confusion in the past.
A Code of Practice has been developed to direct the process of removing titles from the system in future without negative impact on learners and employers.
Fewer titles
Vocational qualifications will be made clearer through:
- Specified formats for titles;
- Removal of brand names from the title itself;
- Greater flexibility about the units and credits that can be included within a vocational qualification.
Learners and employers will be able to identify more easily the appropriate vocational qualification for their needs and then make a selection from the different awarding bodies and options available. All of this information will be presented clearly in the new Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF).
