Keep the NVQs vocational

A number of learners have had bad experiences in compulsory education and may not be accepted into further education colleges. But with the help of the basic/life skills programmes, they are encouraged to work towards an NVQ in their chosen profession. We help them gain the underpinning knowledge and skills needed to become competent in their workplace. A high proportion of learners come in with skills below level 1 and leave with at least an NVQ level 2.

If compulsory education has failed these youths with five full days in a teaching environment, how does the Government expect training providers to train them in one session a week that includes underpinning knowledge on vocational area plus delivery of the key skills? To add insult to injury, the Government now talks of bringing in technical certificates to complete the framework. Most of the certificates are full-time courses of one year for level 2 and two years for level 3. What incentive is there for learners to gain a level 2 or 3 qualification and also complete an NVQ at the same level, plus all six key skills?