Awards on the rise

More people acquired NVQ and SVQ qualifications in social care and health in 2005 than in any year since 1999, new figures show.

Nearly 130,000 people acquired certificates in 2005, compared with fewer than 100,000 in 2004, research by the Employers’ Organisation for Local Government finds.

Since December 2004 registrations for NVQs have risen by 36 per cent.

The fastest growing awards include early years and education awards which account for three-quarters of all child/early years certificates, and health and social care NVQs which have grown by 50 per cent in 2005.