National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ's) its all change!
It is all change in the world of work based qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
David Golding, GTC's Education Director explains how a change in Government policy on education has required a review of the National Vocational Qualification's (NVQ's) across the majority of industries and with it comes the demise of NVQ'S which are being replaced by work basedDiplomas.
Scotland is retaining the Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ's) for the present time.
David has contacted all of the GTC Approved Centres to help turf staff come to terms with the changes designed to encourage employers to engage in bite size learning for staff as well as continuing to use the traditional apprenticeship and full qualifications.
The GTC has championed the need for funding to follow Units rather than just full qualifications as not all learners are in positions within their employment to gain all the skills and knowledge required within the full qualifications.
David firmly believes more employers will take advantage of the changes to the qualifications especially as Centres access the funding for short courses based on Units from the new Diplomas in Greenkeeping, Golf Course Supervision and Golf Course Management.
A copy of the Centre update can be viewed on the GTC website.
The partnership between the GTC and its network of Approved Centres throughout Britain has been seen as an exemplar in the land base sector and David believes the changes will help the partnership become even stronger.
David added, it is important that the GTC works within the Government framework of qualifications as funding support is made available to employers through Approved Centres offering nationally accredited qualifications including the highly related sports turf apprenticeship.
The sector will start to see new titles for work based qualifications being used by Centres and all qualifications both vocational and academic will eventually align to a European Qualification Framework (EQF).
There is little change in the sports turf Units content but for a full explanation of how the changes will affect Centres, employers and learners within the greenkeeping sector contact the GTC or visit the website: www.the-gtc.co.uk
NOTE: Candidates registered on NVQ's prior to 31 August 2009 will be unaffected by the changes and will have until 31 August 2011 to complete and their Centre claim the certificate.
CONTACT :
David Golding, GTC Education Director Tel: 01347 838640 for further information
