HC Deb 03 November 1992 vol 213 cc190-1W
20. Mr. Peter Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures she is taking to produce a better qualified work force.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) earlier today.

22. Mr. Anthony Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress she can report towards a national system of vocational qualifications.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) is undertaking the lead role in the reform of the vocational qualifications system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Scottish Vocational Education Council (SCOTVEC) is undertaking parallel work in Scotland.

NCVQ and SCOTVEC are on target to have accredited by the end of 1992 national vocational qualifications (NVQs) and Scottish vocational qualifications (SVQs) covering 80 per cent. of the employed population at levels 1 to 4 of the national framework. These cover all the most economically significant occupations.

SVQs are based on the same standards of competence as NVQs and both sets of qualifications are therefore fully compatible. For the first time we will have a genuinely United Kingdom-wide system of vocational qualifications.