HC Deb 02 December 1987 vol 123 cc580-1W
Mr. Evennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in theOfficial Report those professions or trades whose vocational qualifications have been reviewed by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications to date.

Mr. Dunn

Early in 1987, following the production of draft criteria for its vocational qualifications framework, the national council established nine project groups to test out those criteria by reviewing and advising on the standards of competence and qualifications in the fields of agriculture, electrical contracting, engineering manufacture, heating and ventilation, hotel and catering, motor vehicle repair and maintenance, office occupations, retail, and retail travel. The groups have now submitted interim or final reports, and a number of qualifications have been accredited, mostly based on combinations of existing qualifications. The council is now considering the results of this process, and hopes soon to publish fuller and more definitive criteria and to invite interested parties in all sectors of employment to submit qualifications for accreditation. The council is also consulting widely with professional bodies to see how their qualifications may be associated with the national vocational qualification framework.