Your Guide to Vocational Qualifications
Vocational qualifications help you to develop knowledge, skills and understanding
in an area of work (e.g. Business, Art and Design, Caring for Children).
You will also develop the skills you will need to prepare you for employment or
progression into Higher Education.
BTEC Introductory, First and National Qualifications
BTEC courses offer a mixture of practical and theoretical work and are assessed
mainly through coursework. They can be taken at Level 1 (Introductory), Level 2
(First) and Level 3 (National). A BTEC National Diploma is equivalent to 3 A levels.
NVQs
NVQs are aimed at students who wish to develop skills, knowledge and understanding
for a specific type of career (e.g. Carpentry, Engineering, Administration or Catering).
They focus on the skills and knowledge expected by employers. They are assessed
through real work situations and student portfolios. NVQs can be studied from Level
1 to 5. You might train for an NVQ through full-time college or through an Apprenticeship
or Advanced Apprenticeship.
Technical Awards and Certificates
Technical awards focus on what you need to know for a specific type of career. They
are available at three levels, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. Like NVQs
they can be studied full-time as a preparation for entry to an Apprenticeship or
employment, or as part of an Apprenticeship.
Other Vocational Qualifications
Other qualifications are also available. These can offer you an opportunity to get
started on a vocational route or show knowledge in a very specialised area such
as Legal Secretarial or Cabin Crew and Resort Representatives.