Level 2 National Vocational Qualifications: the characteristics of those who obtain them, and their impact on employment and earnings growth

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) was commissioned by the UK Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to carry out a follow-up study of people who had participated in the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and who had gained a level two National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in adult life. Its aims were to: provide information on the perceived benefits of a level two NVQ; learn about the experience of level two NVQ acquisition; learn about the background and motivations of people obtaining level two NVQs; and relate these factors to the impact of the qualification. Some of the findings from this study are: overall, 73% of those surveyed were working at the time they obtained their level two NVQ; employers were reported to have provided funding for 65% of those working when they studied for their NVQ; the length of time people take to complete an NVQ level two qualification varies quite considerably; overall, 40% of respondents were in a different job at the follow-up survey interview from the one they had when they acquired their level two; and although some respondents felt that the NVQ had been useful in getting them better pay, there is little evidence that obtaining a NVQ level two qualification is associated with a statistically significant increase in earnings compared with employees with other qualifications.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) was commissioned by the UK Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to carry out a follow-up study of people who had participated in the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and who had gained a level two National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in adult life. Its aims were to: provide information on the perceived benefits of a level two NVQ; learn about the experience of level two NVQ acquisition; learn about the background and motivations of people obtaining level two NVQs; and relate these factors to the impact of the qualification. Some of the findings ...  [+] Show more