Vocational skills boost business
Vocational training in the workplace
has long been established as a way of improving skills for business
growth.
Qualifications are now accredited by the Qualifications and
Credit Framework (QCF) which will give a wider range of learners
the opportunity to get the qualifications they need, in a way that
suits them. QCF qualifications are designed with the help of
employers, so learners can be assured that they're gaining skills
that employers are looking for.
Qualifications are based on an
assess-train-assess model which takes account of employees’
existing skills and provides individually-tailored training.
Hannah Fenech is part of small family-run
business, Ashleworth Centre of Equestrian Services, who have
provided NVQs for their staff for many years. She says: “We
wanted to provide staff with structured training to ensure they
knew the correct procedures and could operate safely.
Alongside this, we wanted to train them in the company’s own
methods - the learning-on-the-job aspect is very important because
every yard is so different.”
“It is a great for a small employer to have
the expertise and resources of a large college behind us. Learners
are reviewed frequently by an independent assessor who provides
impartial support and gives learners the best chance of
success.
“As staff progress from level 2 to level 3,
their work really improves, moving from simply doing tasks to
taking responsibility for the yard. By providing our staff
with nationally-recognised training, we can be sure that we are
setting them up well for a future in the industry.”