Vocational qualifications

What are engineering vocational qualifications?

Vocational qualifications are work-related qualifications that prepare you for a particular role. They are well regarded by engineering employers, who help design the qualifications.

Vocational qualifications include BTECs, EAL NVQs and SVQs and City & Guilds. Some people take a combination of academic and vocational qualifications at school or sixth form college. You can also study vocational qualifications full time – often in a Further Education (FE) college or a University Technical College (UTC).

Is a vocational route into engineering right for you?

Vocational study could be right for you if:

• You have an idea of the sort of job, industry or sector you want to work in
• You prefer hands-on rather than classroom study
• You aren’t quite ready or don’t want to go to university
• You prefer a smaller class size
• You want to keep your career options flexible

Where to get vocational qualifications?

FE College

Further Education colleges offer a range of qualifications, including A levels, Highers (in Scotland), vocational qualifications and specialist work-related courses.

If you’re doing an apprenticeship you are likely to do the studying part of the apprenticeship at an FE college. Studying for an apprenticeship can also be done through a learning provider.

UTC

University Technical Colleges are for 14-18-year-olds. They combine academic, technical and practical learning and have links with local employers and a sponsor university.

They are suitable for young people who want to develop the skills needed to work in science, engineering, manufacturing or technology industries.

HNCs and HNDs

Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) are Level 4 and 5 vocational qualifications usually taken at a further or higher education college or whilst in employment. They can also be taken as part of an apprenticeship. HNCs and HNDs are available in different fields of engineering.