What are they?

They are available from several awarding bodies, such as City and Guilds, Edexcel and OCR Examinations, and can be taken at many different levels.

You can find out more about vocational qualifications at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's website.

BTEC qualifications and OCR Nationals are particular types of work-related qualifications, available in a wide range of subjects.

You can take one if you are interested in learning more about a particular sector or industry. Many have been designed in collaboration with industry, so they can equip you with the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for.

The qualifications offer a mix of theory and practice, and can also include an element of work experience. They can take the form of (or be part of) a technical certificate, one of the key components of an apprenticeship.

What form do they take?

Who takes them?

Where can they lead?

For example, you could progress from a qualification at one level on the NQF to higher levels in the same or related area of study. This could eventually lead to professional qualifications.

You could also use a level 3 qualification as a route into higher education, such as taking an HNC or HND.

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