Occupational Qualifications

Occupational qualifications cover the skills and capabilities needed for a particular occupation or job within a sector, such as plumbing or food preparation.

NVQ

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) cover various aspects of a job or area of work, teaching the skills actually used in the workplace. They can be completed unit by unit, so that you can build up to a qualification as easily as possible. NVQs are usually taken at work and show that you can do a job. There are no exams, instead NVQs assess the skills that candidates use at work and can be taken at five levels, from level 1 - for routine jobs - to level 5 - for jobs with complex tasks and substantial responsibility.

NVQs are open to anyone. There are no entry requirements, no special methods of delivery, no age limits and no time constraints. There are NVQs that suit first-jobbers or senior managers. There is no strict time limit for doing an NVQ. You can take as little or as much time as you like, depending on how it fits in with the work that you’re doing. You can even take a small number of units – you don’t have to take the whole qualification.

Young apprenticeships

Young apprenticeships are for pupils entering Year 10, not all schools offer young apprenticeships so check to see if this an option at your school. Pupils will spend up to two days a week at work learning a trade.

Young apprentices continue to study the core National Curriculum subjects, including English, maths, ICT and science, but you can also take vocational qualifications. You will learn through a mix of classroom lessons, practical training and work experience.

Pupils on a young apprenticeship may study for a GCSE in a vocational subject (worth 2 GCSEs) or another type of vocational qualification, such as an NVQ depending on how your local young apprenticeship programme is designed. Ask at your school for details.

Apprenticeships

If you're aged 16-24 and not taking part in full time education you might be interested in earning while you learn through an apprenticeship. Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time.

There are different levels of apprenticeship available, but they both lead to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Key Skills qualifications and, in most cases, a technical certificate such as a BTEC or City & Guilds.

You can apply for an apprenticeship on the  Leicester and Leicestershire Common Application Process form (LeCAP form). If your current school or college is using the electronic version of the LeCAP form you may be able to apply on line otherwise they will give you a paper copy of the LeCAP form. You can still find an apprenticeship after you leave school. Call your local Connexions centre for help.

Last Updated: 09-Nov-2009