Impact of vocational qualifications on the employment process, equality of opportunity and opportunity in Europ

The skills and enterprise of Britain's workforce will be critical for the future success of individuals, employers and the country. The Government's objective is that the UK should develop a qualified workforce in Europe and set a world pace in education and training; revitalising regions affected by industrial decline and combating unemployment, establishing training centres, integrating young people into the labour market, utilising not only Government money but also European Social Fund monies to assist in the development and implementation of training/ training qualifications. (Labour Market and Skills Trends 1997/98) The research examines in detail what changers have been taking place to help achieve the objectives above over the past decade in relation to the introduction of Vocational Qualifications (VQs) that is. General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). The research explores the impact VQs have had on the labour market, the Training and Enterprise councils involvement, employers/trainees reaction towards VQs and how Europe is actively involved in promoting vocational training and acknowledging their importance. There are over 600 subjects to choose from in the Vocational Qualification (VQ) frame work covering almost every area of work (see appendix 1 for details). The implementation of Vocational Qualifications was not only to produce a more skilled work force but also to give individuals from all walks of life an opportunity to increase skills. The National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) emphasises the importance of equality of opportunity, they are extremely keen to encourage employers to look beyond, Gender, Disability, Colour, Origin, Sexuality etc. "Building a quality work force in Britain does not mean part of the population but the whole" (NCVQ 1994). NCVQ has applauded Training Centres which have set out to be non- discriminatory (See case studies in Chapter 5). The significance of Equally of Opportunity (EO) has been raised time and time again throughout NCVQ literature, therefore examining EO is a major part when discussing/illustrating Vocational Qualifications (VQs). The case studies documented in chapter 5 and 5 serve as supporting evidence that equality of opportunity is being addressed in Vqs and that they are playing a significant role in the employment process. The White paper states 1995 - competitiveness forging ahead: "To compete internationally the UK needs a highly motivated and well qualified workforce. We need young people who are well prepared for work, enployers who see the importance of developing the skills of their employees, and people in the labour force who take their development seriously." Vocational Qualifications according to research is increasingly meeting the objectives set out by the Government establishing the way forward for post 16 people to become skilled, therefore more employable, and in turn Britain will be seen as a leader and not a follower in the Skills Market.