§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the work being done by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications.
§ Mr. EggarThe council's task of rationalising and reforming our vocational qualification system is well under way. Over 160 qualifications have now been accredited within the first four levels of the new national vocational qualification framework.
A new system for recording the achievement of parts or units of the new national vocational qualifications has been developed, which will enable candidates to work more flexibly and progressively through their qualifications. In discussion with relevant professional bodies, the council has also begun to prepare the ground for extending its work to higher-level qualifications.
Details of the council's activities are contained within its second annual report, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.