Employers in the dark over vocational qualifications

Many
employers are confused about the value and scope of vocational qualifications,
according to a new report.

The
report, from the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA), shows that
while qualifications such as HNDs and HNCs (higher national diplomas and
certificates) are well-regarded, particularly in the construction and
engineering sectors, almost all employers voiced an urgent need for clearer
information about wider higher education (HE) qualifications, particularly the
new foundation degrees.

The
findings are based on in-depth interviews with HR staff across 28 large
companies in five occupational sectors – general business, IT and computing,
engineering, construction, and hospitality and leisure management.

Nearly
half a million students are studying sub-degree level programmes at
universities and other HE institutions in England and around 130,000 are
studying in further education colleges.

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www.lsda.org.uk

By Michael Millar