‘Modernising’ Vocational Qualifications

Abstract

The overall context: the development of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) to help fulfil New Labour’s aspiration to equip the labour force for a competitive global market. The privatisation of training provision for part-time youth workers. The shift from a youth work-defined notion of ‘competence’ to an employer-defined concept of ‘competences’. The impacts of New Labour’s integration of ‘children and youth’ services on part-time youth workers’ training and qualifications. The role of national validating bodies for vocational qualifications; the consequences of their abolition for youth work training; the shift to employer responsibility for workers’ training. New routes to qualification: Modern Apprenticeships; Foundation Degrees. Moves within the youth work field to respond more strategically to this ‘era of flux’.