Wales is getting qualified for the workplace at a higher rate than the rest of the UK, according to figures released today to mark the first Vocational Qualifications Day (VQ Day).

Every year since 2001/02, the number of vocational qualifications awarded in Wales has increased. Now, 37% of all post-16 qualifications in Wales are linked to vocational qualifications. This is matched by Scotland, but is higher than England (32%) and Northern Ireland (26%).

Half of the vocational qualifications achieved in Wales are at Level 2 – the same level as GCSEs, whilst a quarter are at Level 3 – the same level as A levels. Significantly, Wales has a higher percentage of high-level qualifications that are based on employment (Levels 4 and 5 – i.e. managerial levels) compared to any other UK nation.

Vocational qualifications are available across a wide range of subject areas, reflecting the modern economy. The top five vocational subject areas to study in the last year across the UK were healthcare, retail, business, construction and engineering.

Labour market projections point to a rising demand for vocational qualifications in the future. A Review of vocational qualification achievements in the UK, published today by Edge, predicts that the areas with greatest employment opportunities will be utilities (especially energy), construction, engineering, computing, business services, health and education. The Review also notes that skills are still required in manufacturing sectors to replace those lost by an aging workforce.

Chief Executive of Edge, Andy Powell, said: “It's clear that with high numbers of people taking up vocational qualifications and high standards of provision, in many ways Wales is leading the way when it comes to vocational courses. This means the workforce is becoming more skilled and more people can enjoy the very real benefits that vocational qualifications offer to young people, adults and the economy.

“I congratulate all vocational learners who are celebrating VQ Day with us today – and the staff who made this success possible.”

According to the Review, the main benefits of vocational qualifications are substantial. They include:

• Work ready skills
• Increased earnings
• Improved staff retention when offered to those already in employment
• Improved and increased progression to further learning – including university
• The provision of a 'licence to practice' in the relevant profession or industry

The growth in vocational qualifications reflects the demand from employers for qualifications designed to meet the skills needed in the economy. Anglesey Aluminium, for example, is a company that has a strong track record of winning awards for its engineering apprenticeships. It puts this success down to the commitment of three partners: the college, the training provider and the employer, working together to the highest standards.

Its spokesperson, John Wynn Jones, said: "It is vital for our highly competitive business that we get the best people with the right skills. By working with our local college, we ensure that training programmes have the right balance of theory and practice, and that the college based elements complement the experiences we can give our developing staff.

John Wynn Jones continued: “By working through a structured package of college and work based activity we can maximise the training input and ensure a growing contribution in the work place by the trainee.”

Thinking it high time that Wales gave due recognition to vocational qualifications and celebrated the successes of its vocational learners, fforwm – the association of colleges in Wales, is delighted to see Wales' performing so strongly compared to the other UK nations. Chief Executive of fforwm, John Graystone, said: “I am delighted that Wales is punching above its weight in the proportion of vocational qualifications awarded. This bodes well for the future. We know that the economy needs more people who are qualified, particularly at the higher end of the spectrum.

“I offer my congratulations to learners in Wales who are celebrating their vocational achievements this year. In addition, the Review published today notes that the quality of vocational learning provision is particularly high in Wales. I pay tribute to colleges which are raising the quality bar every year and outperforming the quality targets set by the Welsh Assembly Government. VQ Day is a red-letter day for colleges and their learners.”

Contact: Sylvia Davies on 029 2074 1835 or 07968 771913.

Notes to editors:

1. 'The VQ Landscape 2008: A review of vocational qualification achievements in the UK', is published by the Edge Foundation today (23 July 2008) to coincide with VQ Day. Copies are available at www.edge.co.uk and www.vqday.org

2. All figures given are for 2006/07 unless otherwise stated.

3. The vocational qualifications referred to in this press release are:

a. NVQs (competence-based qualifications that are often undertaken in the workplace); and

b. Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs), which include, for example, BTEC National Diplomas and OCR Nationals, which are more knowledge-based compared to NVQs.

4. Comparisons with the UK: At 6 per cent, Wales has a relatively high proportion of NVQ achievements compared to its 4.6 per cent share of employment in the UK. Per head of population Wales does particularly well (one NVQ awarded per 80 people), compared with England (one per 100), Scotland (one NVQ per 130) and Northern Ireland (one per 120). Wales has a relatively high share of high-level NVQ achievements (6.8 per cent of level 4 and 5 awards).

5. Vocational qualifications in Wales are growing year on year. For example, in 2006/07, there were 41,150 NVQs awarded in Wales compared to 39,560 in 2005/06. In 2006/07 there were 65,540 VRQs awarded in Wales compared to 54,370 in 2005/06. (Source: Vocational Qualifications in Wales 2006/07 and Vocational Qualifications in Wales 2005/06, both published by Statistics Wales.)

6. Modern Apprenticeships: More than 3,300 Modern Apprentices gained their full Modern Apprentice Framework (which is at Level 3 – the same level as A levels) in Wales in 2006/07. The Modern Apprenticeship Framework is highly demanding and includes an NVQ and a VRQ as well as a number of Key Skills. These are studied on a part-time basis by employees in conjunction with a further education college or training provider. The greatest number of Modern Apprentices qualified in the areas of Business, Administration and Law, followed by Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, and then by Health, Public Services and Care. (Source: National Comparators for Further Education and Work-Based Learning: 2006/07, published July 2008 by Statistics Wales.)

7. Early indications for 2007/08 from a number of FE colleges in Wales that hold work-based learning contracts are that Modern Apprenticeships in Engineering continue to demonstrate a strong success rate. Business, Law and Administration also shows a healthy number of newly qualified Modern Apprentices, followed by Health and Social Care Modern Apprentices. (Source: fforwm survey. Note: based on data available to date; the ranking of subject areas for the whole of Wales might change when all returns are in.)

8. Quality of provision: The Review published by Edge compares the quality of provision in England and Wales as follows: “Provision in Wales was rated even higher by Estyn, the Welsh inspectorate. Since 2005/06, an impressive 93 per cent of college provision and 85 per cent of work-based learning inspected was judged to be good or excellent.”

About VQ Day – 23 July 2008

1. Millions of people take a vocational qualification every year leading them on to further vocational study or university, better jobs and/or enhanced skills. For too long, this success has gone without the recognition and celebration it deserves. To raise the profile of vocational qualifications and celebrate vocational success 'VQ Day' is being launched. VQ Day is an official celebration of the people who gain vocational qualifications every year, and the people who help them achieve this success.

2. Plans for VQ Day are being led by Edge, the education foundation, in conjunction with the vocational qualifications community including (among others): fforwm, the Association of Colleges, the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW), Edexcel, City & Guilds, OCR, Federation of Awarding Bodies, Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS), EDI, Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM), Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA), and with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG).

3. VQ Day is being launched in Wales at Coleg Sir Gâr's marquee at the Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells (stand D309) on 23 July 2008. The WAG Deputy Minister John Griffiths will be joined at the launch by students who will demonstrate their skills. The launch is being organised by fforwm (the national organisation representing all 25 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales www.fforwm.ac.uk) and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW). For further information see 5290.html

4. A simultaneous VQ Day event will take place at the Royal Opera House in London, hosted by singer and Strictly Come Dancing winner Alesha Dixon and organised by Edge (www.edge.co.uk). To find out more visit www.vqday.org

5. Media opportunities - arranged through Sylvia Davies, fforwm, M: 07968 771913:

· Interviews can be arranged with Chief Executive of fforwm, John Graystone, on 22 July, or on 23 July at the Royal Welsh Show.

· Learners from colleges and training providers will be available for interview from 10.30am – 12.30pm on Wednesday 23 July at the Royal Welsh Show. For additional filming/recording opportunities with learners, please contact Sylvia Davies as above.