Vocational qualifications

Skills for Health champions the benefits of workforce learning and development based on Competences/National Occupational Standards (NOS)

As the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for health across the four UK countries, we are responsible for working with employers and Awarding Organisations to develop health related competence/NOS based qualifications for health occupations for the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) and the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW).

What are Competence/NOS based qualifications?

Competence/NOS based qualifications are unit-based, flexible qualifications which are developed to support individuals demonstrate occupational competence in a role. Learners are assessed on their ability to perform and demonstrate competence in the workplace. The units within the qualifications can also be used for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and career progression. They are also a major component of Apprenticeship frameworks.

Benefits of Competence/NOS based qualifications

For the:

• Learner: a variety of qualifications and pathways that lead to a flexible qualification which allows for career development and progression.
• The use of common units across appropriate qualifications ensures learners do not have to repeat the same learning and are able to transfer unit credits
• Professions: develops competent healthcare support roles and a step onto and up the career framework
• Organisations: a tool to support staff in developing their skills and knowledge. They ensure that staff are qualified for the job they are doing and can deliver safe and effective high quality healthcare

Awarding Organisations provide learners with qualification certificates and keep all the information in relation to registered training and assessment centres that provide the qualifications. For more information on the Awarding Organisations visit http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/Organisation/Browse