NVC secures edexcel contract to validate B-TEC foundation degrees

The University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) has signed a three-year contract with Edexcel to validate BTEC Foundation Degrees through its new validation body, NVC.



The contract with Edexcel marks the official launch of the NVC, a flexible, national awarding service established as a company limited by guarantee by UVAC to meet the needs of colleges, employers, public bodies and other higher vocational training providers without their own degree awarding powers.

The creation of the NVC reflects the importance government and Higher Education Institutions are placing on vocational learning and the need for progression routes from the new vocational diplomas into higher education, says Professor Simon Roodhouse, chief executive of UVAC.

Professor David Melville, chair of UVAC, adds: UVAC believes that quality higher vocational learning and training supplied by higher education institutions, professional bodies, training providers and, where appropriate, employers should enjoy the same status as higher academic study. Now, at last, there is a flexible mechanism in place through the NVC to validate such programmes and provide them with the recognition they deserve. Still in its early stages, the model will continue to evolve to meet the needs of higher vocational learning providers across all levels and occupational sectors.

UVAC is the independent representative of more than 80 universities and colleges with an interest in higher vocational learning. As with UVACís other services, the NVC places the vocational learner at the heart of its activities.

Rick Firth, Edexcelís BTEC director, adds: Edexcel looks forward to working with UVAC and the NVC to offer its BTEC Foundation Degrees. This complements the full range of BTECs and allows full progression for learners studying vocational qualifications from 14-19 and also adult learners and those studying for work-based qualifications.

There are ten sectors and 85 titles covered and there is already considerable interest shown by colleges around the country for the NVC-validated BTEC Foundation Degree. The first three sectors - Computing, Engineering, and Business - are ready to teach from October 2005.

Professor Melville concludes: BTEC awards have historically enjoyed an excellent reputation for the standard of their vocational learning, so it is wholly appropriate that the NVCís first contract should cover the accreditation of BTEC Foundation Degrees.

Edexcelís first students for the NVC-validated BTEC
Foundation Degrees will enrol in Autumn 2005.