Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett today welcomed the first independent report on vocational training from the Training Standards Council with a promise that world class work-based training is a top priority, as demonstrated by the recent White Paper "Learning to Succeed."
Mr Blunkett also said the Government was taking action to improve the quality of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) had removed poorly designed qualifications - cutting the total number by a fifth.
Speaking about today’s report which examines the quality of Government-funded work-based training in England, Mr Blunkett said:
" I welcome this report from the council’s Chief Inspector David Sherlock which finds varied training standards from the very good to the dismally poor. Over 80 per cent of vocational training was at least satisfactory with some organisations praised for the quality of their trainers and the inspiration they brought out of their trainees. World class work-based training must now be a priority.
" There is undoubtedly very good training taking place, but the Government is determined to raise standards of all training to the level of the best. Last week we announced changes to help create a highly skilled workforce which is essential for prosperity and social cohesion. We accept the existing post 16 system is inadequate for the purpose with variable standards. "
" The new national Learning and Skills Council will re-invigorate training delivery and ensure high standards. The new system will not be provider driven but customer led involving business. Nationally and locally employers will have the largest single input into the new local councils. Our goal is a funding system which responds to the needs of the learners rather than institutions and which encourages greater participation and achievement.
" Today’s report finds most assessments for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) to be sound. The problem is identified as lying with inconsistent assessment. Both the Training Standards Council and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) have this year been charged with exploring ways of ensuring consistent assessment and verification. Last year we launched a major programme to dramatically increase number of visits to ensure verification took place, with an additional 3000 visits to check standards. This was complemented by a new training programme for those undertaking verification visits.
" Last year the QCA reviewed each of the 890 NVQs available and estimate there will be a 20 per cent reduction in future in those on offer. Some awards were poorly used or overlapping. Some could be removed or combined with better used NVQs. QCA will continue to examine which qualifications are needed to form part of the recognised pathways within an industry or towards a profession. At the end of the day there will be fewer NVQs and any qualifications not accredited by QCA will find it more difficult to attract public funding.
" I intend to set up a new independent based inspectorate to assess the quality of provision for adult learning and all those in work-based training. This will build on the work undertaken by the Training Standards Council and will ensure the consistency we are seeking. "
