What are vocational qualifications?

A wide range of vocational qualifications are accredited into the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). These cover almost every industry sector and every level of the NQF.

A large number of awarding bodies offer vocational qualifications. They range from broad-based to specialist qualifications designed for a particular sector. In many cases suites of qualifications are available, offering progression through the levels of the NQF. Vocational qualifications differ from National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in that they are not delivered and assessed at the workplace.

Vocational qualifications serve a range of purposes in different sectors and at different levels, so they vary in size, level and assessment.