HC Deb 11 December 1996 vol 287 cc245-6W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total Government expenditure on national vocational qualifications, including Scottish vocational qualifications, in each year of their existence; if she will make a statement on the aims and objectives of the qualifications; and what research she has commissioned to examine the kinds of employment gained by people who gain national vocational qualifications. [8223]

Mr. Paice

Expenditure through the Department's programmes on development costs of national vocational qualifications between 1988 and March 1996 is £106 million. This figure includes £83 million from the standards programme and £23 million grant in aid to the National Council for Vocational Qualifications. For each year this is:

(£ million)
1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96
Standards Programme 3 7 9 12 12 12 11 17
Grant in Aid 3.8 3 2.6 3.7 3.9 3.8 1.9 0
Total 6.8 10 11.6 15.7 15.9 15.8 12.9 17

The Department does not hold the information for Scottish vocational qualifications; this is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Scotland. However, the development of occupational standards through the standards programme serves both NVQs and SVQs.

National vocational qualifications provide a clear system which defines employers' needs in terms of occupational competence, assesses that competence when it has been achieved, ensures individuals undertake relevant and meaningful training and enables employers to know who has met the standards.

NVQs are gained by many different categories of individual, including those already in employment in firms as well as those entering the labour market and unemployed. Information on the employment destinations of those on youth training and training for work, many of whom gain NVQs during their training, is regularly published by the Department. Recent research published by the Department has indicated that 42 per cent. of employers using NVQs gave pay rewards to employees gaining NVQs and 58 per cent. gave greater opportunities in terms of further training, priority in promotion or work opportunities involving higher pay.