No competition

Your article "Scheme to validate foundation degrees is met with caution" (July 1) requires clarification. It suggests that the NVC and University Vocational Awards Council service is competing with other accreditation providers and is predominantly concerned with validating foundation degrees.

Neither is the case. NVC provides a nationwide, complementary service, differentiating it from local university/ college networks. It does not seek to supplant any existing partnerships.

Although the NVC validates Edexcel's BTec foundation degrees, it also covers professional-development programmes run by employers and other higher level vocational qualifications.J Colleges, employers and others have welcomed the flexible and responsive service; and they draw reassurance from the fact that NVC is not focused on generating profit. Any surpluses are returned to institutions to be reinvested in higher vocational learning.

Simon Roodhouse
Chief executive
University Vocational Awards Council