Your Guide to Vocational Qualifications
What are vocational qualifications and how do they boost your career?
About Vocational Qualifications
People often talk about academic and vocational qualifications. They both require you to study in order to gain a useful qualification, but take different approaches!
Academic qualifications are typically based on traditional classroom learning, covering a wide variety of subjects that may not directly boost your career development and are often exam-based.
Vocational qualifications are often career-based. They typically involve a mix of studying and hands-on practical experience in the world of work. With a vocational qualification you usually don’t have to sit in an exam, or you will get a mix of exams through the year and some coursework.
Where/When Can You Study?
When studying Level 2 and 3 at school, you can study for academic qualifications like GCSES, A levels and Scottish Nationals. You can also study vocational qualifications like BTECs at Level 2 onwards, or mix and match.
Colleges and Further Education (FE) establishments often offer vocational qualifications that you can either study as a course or as part of a structured training programme like an Apprenticeship or HNCs and HNDs.
Remember, you have lots of options! Many students are applying to university with a mix of academic and vocational qualifications, and qualifications like BTECs still count towards your UCAS points for uni applications.
Whatever your level of education and work experience, vocational qualifications can fit your needs.
Types of Vocational Qualifications
There are lots of vocational qualifications you can choose from school onwards. You can also gain a vocational qualification on completing a structured programme like a traineeship or apprenticeship with an employer.
Find Out More About Vocational Education
Youth Friendly Employers
Many Youth Friendly Employers and Organisations in our network offer paid training programmes like traineeships, apprenticeships, and Degree Apprenticeships. These all result in an industry-recognised vocational qualification that matches your work experience and boosts your CV.
