Review Green Open Access 2003

The Contribution of National Vocational Qualifications to the Growth of Skills in the UK

GI
Grugulis, Irena
British Journal of Industrial Relations
Journal · Vol. 41 · Issue 3 · pp. 457-475
Abstract

This article evaluates the British system of NVQs, focusing on their capacity to increase skill levels. It reviews the way NVQs were designed and argues that they are ill-equipped to encourage knowledge and skills, partly because they simply replicate the weaknesses which currently exist in the labour market and partly because of the focus on observed workplace behaviours. NVQs were intended to be 'employer-led' and the assumptions underpinning their design are unitarist. In contrast, the German apprenticeship system is developed and implemented by pluralist consortia and results in qualifications that are far better equipped to support skill levels.

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Author Affiliations
University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
1 Warwick Papers in Industrial Relations, (1987)
2 Workplace Learning in Europe, (2001)
3 Limits of Competence Knowledge Higher Education and Society, (1994)
4 Review of 100 Nvqs and Svqs, (1996)
5 Human Capital A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis with Special Reference to Education, (1964)
6 Learning Should Pay, (1992)
7 Knowledge and Competence Current Issues in Training and Education, (1990)
8 Empirical Evidence of Management Skills in the Uk, (1999)
9 Paper Presented at A Joint Network Skope Tlprp International Workshop, (2001)
10 Competency Based Education and Training, (1989)
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