§ Mr. RookerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to divide provision of various levels of general national vocational qualifications between the further and higher education sectors.
§ Mr. Boswell[holding answer 12 April 1994]: General national vocational qualifications are currently available up to advanced level—broadly equivalent to GCE advanced level—and are not therefore regarded as higher education. Higher education institutions are, however, free to offer them and to seek funding from the Further Education Funding Council. The National Council for Vocational Qualifications proposes shortly, at the request of the Government to consult on the possibility of introducing GNVQs at levels above advanced level.
§ Mr. RookerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if it is his intention that general national vocational qualifications at all levels shall be available in each travel-to-work area via the further education sector.
§ Mr. Boswell[holding answer 12 April 1994]: The Government intend that all 16-year-olds should have the option of studying for GNVQs—at foundation, intermediate or advanced level—in their locality. More than 80,000 students in over 1,400 schools and colleges are already taking GNVQ courses. We intend that the number should continue to increase rapidly, consistent with securing quality and rigour.