Glossary of Terms


Apprenticeships  

An  Apprenticeship trains a new generation of skilled craft practitioners.  Apprentices build their careers from apprenticeships. Most of their training is done on the job while working for an employer who helps the apprentices learn their trade. Often some informal, theoretical education is also involved.

HNC  

A HNC is a Higher National Certificate which is a higher education qualification in the UK. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the HNC is a BTEC qualification awarded by Edexcel. The attainment level is roughly equivalent to first year of university and a Certificate of Higher Education but being below that of a Higher National Diploma (HND) and two below that of a bachelor's degree. Studied fulltime, the qualification takes one year or of part time it is done over two years.

HND 

A HND is a Higher National Diploma (HND) is a higher education qualification in the United Kingdom. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the HND is a BTEC qualification awarded by Edexcel. The attainment level is roughly equivalent to second year of university, a Diploma of Higher Education but being below that of a bachelor's degree. An HND takes two years of full-time study, or one year full-time following successful completion of a Higher National Certificate; part-time study takes longer.

Short Courses  

Short Courses, are courses that are concentrated into a few days. Provide essential training in a short period of time.

Learn Direct

Learn Direct has a range of courses in Maths, English, IT, Business and Management, that will give you skills you need to achieve you goals and get ahead in life.

NVQ’s

An NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification. They are vocational awards in England and Wales that are achieved through assessment and training. They are practical qualifications based on being able to do a job. There are five levels of NVQ, ranging from Level 1, which focuses on basic work activities, to Level 5 for senior managers.

  • Level 1 NVQ: Competency in application of knowledge in the performance of a range of varied work activities. Equivalent to 3-4 GCSE’s at grades D-E

  • Level 2 NVQ: Competency in the application of knowledge in a more varied range of work activities. These are more complex and non routine, involving a level of individual responsibility. Group work is often a requirement. Equivalent to 4-5 GCSE’s at grades A* - C.

  • Level 3 NVQ: Competency in the application of knowledge in a broad range of varied work activities, most of which are complex and non routine. There is considerable responsibility and autonomy and control or guidance of others is often required. An NVQ Level 3 is equivalent to two or more A levels, BTEC Ordinary National Diploma (OND), City & Guilds Advanced Craft

  • Level 4 NVQ: Competency that involves the application of knowledge in a broad range of complex, technical or professional work activities performed in a variety of contexts and with a substantial degree of personal responsibility and autonomy. Responsibility for the work of others and the allocation of resources is often present. An NVQ Level 4 is equivalent to a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND), or a First Academic Degree (B.Sc., B.A., B.Eng. or other academic degree.

  • Level 5 NVQ: that involves the application of a range of fundamental principles across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts. Very substantial personal autonomy and often significant responsibility for the work of others and for the allocation of substantial resources features strongly, as do personal accountabilities for analysis, diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation. An NVQ 5 is the equivalent to postgraduate qualification or higher degree, such as M.Sc., M.A., M.Eng. or Ph.D.

Foundation Degree

A Foundation Degree is a vocational higher education qualification that combines academic study with work based learning and experience. It offers an employer a cost effective way of training new or existing staff in the skills needed in their business.

Foundation Degrees are a level 5 qualification by QCA, designed by working closely with employers, further and higher education colleges, together with Universities, the Sector Skills Council, and other professional bodies. With progression available to other professional qualifications and relevant, honours degrees.

Work Based Learning and Assessments

Work Based Assessment, allows employees to gain qualifications through the work they have undertaken.