Businesses investing in qualifications to combat recession
24 June 2009
Over 3.6 million vocational qualifications were awarded last year according to figures released by independent education foundation Edge to celebrate VQ Day (Vocational Qualifications Day). The figures show an increase of 350,000 in the number of vocational qualifications awarded, up 11 per cent on the previous year.
The findings reveal evidence that vocational qualifications are being adopted by employees and employers across a range of industries and across the age range. Employers are also benefiting from improved business performance. One course which helps improve business productivity and reduce waste has seen an increase in participants of 88 per cent on the previous 12 months.
Finally, vocational qualifications are increasingly being recognised as university entry qualifications in the UCAS points system. About 50 per cent of people with vocational qualifications progress to higher education. Six of the top ten subject areas in higher education are vocationally-related disciplines.