EAL challenges Conservatives on NVQ claims

Vocational awarding body EAL (EMTA Awards) has retaliated against the recent criticism of NVQs by the Conservatives. David Willetts, shadow secretary for universities and skills, has carried out a concerted media campaign attacking NVQs, and during a speech to the CfBT Education Trust in September 2009 said: "NVQs have negative value on the labour market."

Managing director of EAL, Ann Watson, responded to David Willetts by defending the important role of NVQs, saying: "I believe David Willetts' recent comments to be uninformed, short-sighted and inaccurate. He recently claimed to be ‘a great fan of qualifications that have the weight of tradition behind them - the City and Guilds, the BTECs; but this misleading statement overlooks the fact NVQs have a rich successful history themselves, having been used across a wide range of industries for more than 20 years. In addition, a significant number of the qualifications accredited by City & Guilds as an awarding body are in fact NVQs."

EAL has awarded approximately 60,000 NVQs in the last year alone, many of which will contribute to the achievement of apprenticeships. Research suggests apprentices earn £100,000 more throughout their lifetime than other employees*, increasing the value of NVQs to learners and employers alike. NVQs are accessible to a wide range of learners and employers report increased motivation, productivity and loyalty from those who have completed NVQs, many of whom progress onto further training.

Ann Watson concluded: "NVQs form an integral component of apprenticeship framework. By assessing both practical ability and knowledge, NVQs give employers the assurance their learners are equipped with the necessary skills to do the job. We are concerned Mr. Willetts' inaccurate statements could deter employers and learners from these important qualifications, which could worsen the skills crisis and jeopardise industry standards in the long term."

* Research quoted on www.apprenticeships.org.uk