NCVQ set for huge expansion by degrees

The Government quango charged with introducing a unified national vocational qualifications system - which would mean universities offering undergraduate and postgraduate NVQs and GNVQs - is set to balloon in size over the next few months.

The work of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications is currently carried out by 130 people.

John Hillier, chief executive, said the council will expand by over 50 per cent to some 200 staff and control a budget nearly doubling in size from Pounds 12 million to Pounds 20 million.

Administrators are already searching for two replacements for Gilbert Jessup, deputy chief executive, who is retiring. Mr Hillier said: "In the past, we placed the emphasis on development and innovation. Now the emphasis must be on bedding down the system, and for that we require a higher level of management expertise." In future, one deputy chief executive will be responsible for developmental factors, including the introduction of degree level GNVQs, and one will be responsible for operational factors including quality assurance and accreditation.

The NCVQ is opening regional centres in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Merseyside, and the north-east. These regional offices will have around 30 local inspectors responsible for quality assurance and marketing.

The marketing department is expected to expand because the NCVQ has been given responsibility for promoting the vocational system. Earlier this year, the Employment Department gave the NCVQ a three-year fund of Pounds 9 million for marketing.

The NCVQ is looking to export its system abroad. Several Arab states are offering NVQs, and Mexico is this week expected to establish its own vocational council after nearly two years of consultation with the NCVQ.

An additional 35 vocational experts are being recruited to introduce the changes demanded by Government. These include higher education minister Tim Boswell's six-point plan to improve GNVQs and the one-year review of the top 100 NVQs.