In a bid to modernise the current qualifications frameworks, the Government is, through OfQual, set to implement a new qualifications and credit framework (QCF) from 2010, which will include replacing National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).

However, ConstructionSkills has expressed a number of concerns about removing what are known to be extremely valued and important qualifications for the construction industry.

Through the Construction Qualifications Strategy (CQS), ConstructionSkills works in partnership with industry to develop a training, assessment and qualification structure that best reflects the needs of one of the country’s largest industries.

In recent months, this has included arguing a strong case to Government about why the industry needs to retain NVQs, including:

• NVQs support a significant number of industry registration and certification schemes and are therefore an essential part of the construction training infrastructure.
• The loss of NVQs will have serious implications for the future success of registration and certification schemes that employers have established to help drive up standards of performance including health and safety and customer confidence.
• There is a considerable amount of 'brand equity' in the current NVQ; it has satisfied the needs of the construction industry for over a decade, and is widely recognised as an acceptable and desirable assessment marker for health & safety competence, specialist knowledge and, importantly, career progression.

Following extensive discussion led by ConstructionSkills, there had been positive indications from the former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills that would have gone some way to mitigating such a change. This included agreement to preserve 'NVQ' in brackets after the name of the new qualifications, and the retention of them as a regulated qualification in their own right on the new QCF.

However the latest indication from the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and OfQual, is that there can be no flexibility in the move to the new qualifications framework and NVQs will no longer continue to be a regulated qualification type. Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) will however remain unchanged.

Nick Gooderson, Head of Standards and Qualifications, ConstructionSkills, said: "We believe it would be a serious misjudgement to remove this highly credible qualification as a distinct type. Not only is there likely to be widespread confusion throughout the industry as to what the new successor qualification means, how it’s delivered and how it is valued, the costs of developing, launching and implementing the new format will, we estimate, run into the millions."

Mr Gooderson hopes that through renewed conversations with Government, OfQual and other relevant stakeholders, they will be able to come to a mutual agreement that reflects the best interests of all concerned parties.

(GK/KMcA)