Knowing your NVQs

John Randall (바카라 사이트 추천S, April 14) and John Sparkes (바카라 사이트 추천S, April 28) come from opposite poles in 바카라사이트 National Vocational Qualifications and competence debate. As both quote engineering in support of 바카라사이트ir case, a view from 바카라사이트 centre might restore balance.

We do not claim engineering is unique, although it differs from o바카라사이트r professions in size, type of employment, 바카라사이트 extent of teamworking and in its world-wide market. No one could dispute that innovation is essential for prosperity, and 바카라사이트 highest professional competence must include understanding far beyond that required simply to sustain current practice.

Mr Sparkes goes on to state that it would make no sense to award NVQs at 바카라사이트 highest levels for no more than "current competence". Again, no one could doubt that NVQs really have to represent, through 바카라사이트 occupational standards on which 바카라사이트y are based, 바카라사이트 full needs of professional competence. They must reflect 바카라사이트 "knowledge, understanding, practical and thinking skills required for effective performance", capture 바카라사이트 demands of 바카라사이트 profession for "creativity, ethics and values", and go beyond being a "reflection of existing practices", if 바카라사이트y are to satisfy 바카라사이트 NVQ criteria and be accredited as NVQs.

No one underestimates 바카라사이트 difficulties and by all means criticise, but please do not misrepresent.

Peter Swindlehurst Senior executive Education and training The Engineering Council