Why ConstructionSkills had every reason to save sector’s NVQs

Successfully saving National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) is testament to ConstructionSkills’ commitment to strengthen the industry and keep construction education and training at the highest standard.

It took years of concerted effort from industry bodies, including ConstructionSkills, for employers to fully understand the value of NVQs, since their introduction in 1986. Attempts to scrap the qualification would have seriously complicated apprenticeship offers at a time when all political parties are looking to increase numbers. ConstructionSkills was compelled to take action to prevent their demise. While employers want them, we will fight for them, it is that simple. So far, we’ve done half the job; saving the qualification – now it’s time to dispel some of the myths that are circulating and inform those that need to know, employers, that  the NVQ is safe.

NVQs are essential to the construction industry because they underpin the industry’s drive to qualify the workforce and are a vital requisite for workers to gain professional accreditation, through the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and affiliated schemes. At present, registrations and certifications are at an all time high so we could not afford to lose the NVQ brand that employers recognise and trust. It is why NVQs are seen and valued as a quality competency-based qualification. Reduction of the NVQs’ importance would have inevitably led to increased bureaucracy and costs at a time when everyone is tightening their belts.

Joining forces with other Sector Skills Councils, including SEMTA, SummitSkills, GoSkills and Skills for Justice, helped us create cross-industry consensus behind the campaign to keep NVQs.

The campaign was a resounding success. From September 2010, the new qualifications achieved by workers in the construction industry will be called NVQ Diplomas; a change in direction from the Office of Qualification’s (Ofqual) original plans to drop the ‘NVQ’ title completely. Only two per cent of the NVQ structure has been altered, making some of the qualifications smaller, because some subject areas do not have enough material to create a legitimate qualification. Albeit smaller, there is no compromise on quality and credibility. The preservation of NVQ quality has prevented widespread confusion amongst employers, (80 per cent of which were happy with their experience of the existing structure of NVQs, according to recent research) complication of apprenticeship offers and needless costs.

The NVQ brand name and vast majority of course content will remain unchanged so courses will match the specification that ConstructionSkills recommended to the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). However, we still need employers and trade federations to support training across the industry and ensure that the industry’s voice is heard on any other decisions that may affect future construction education and training policies.

As part of the new QCF, every unit and qualification will have a credit value (one credit represents 10 hours, showing how much time it takes to complete) and a level between Entry level and Level eight. There are three sizes of qualifications in the QCF: Awards (one to 12 credits), Certificates (13 to 36 credits) and Diplomas (37 credits or more).

Having worked closely with employers to ensure that qualifications and training on offer always meet industry needs, it is only natural that many employers have already shown support in this fight to save the qualifications. We know that qualifications like NVQs are synonymous with a safe, professional and fully-qualified construction workforce; everything that ConstructionSkills is working towards. We want employers to take faith that these revised NVQs will continue to meet their training needs and benefit their businesses.

Nick Gooderson is the head of standards and qualifications at ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council