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Strategy
Vocational Qualifications (VQs) vary in terms of qualification size, level
and assessment arrangements, as well as in content, with VQs available
for both broad-based and more specialist and industry-specific purposes.
They therefore have a range of uses within the metals industry.
All VQs are accredited into the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), meeting a set of criteria for each qualification level that ensures quality in design and delivery. The levels within the NQF help identify different qualifications of the same/comparable standard and so help support flexibility in progression.
The NQF is designed to help with career progression and act as a guide to learners to make informed decisions about their training needs. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has indicated that, future funding will also be linked to the framework to help develop a flexible VQ system that meets the needs of both employers and individuals.
Using Vocational Qualifications in the metals industry
Most VQs relevant to the metals industry fall within NQF levels 2 and 3 and support the main metals processing sub-sectors and technologies.
At levels 4 and 5, qualifications such as BTEC/Edexcel Higher National Certificate / Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (Metallurgy and Materials) and the new Foundation Degree in Engineering Technology (Metallurgy), provide 'metals specific' routes for individuals to progress to higher education levels in metal processing and materials.
Click here to view a full
listing of metals industry VQs by NQF level.
Further details about each of the vocational qualifications (VQs) available
for use in the metals industry can be found via the links below: