Workforce

Performance indicator

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs and SVQs) registered: 9,740 to date (2004/5), including qualifications awarded in preceding years

Current position

The number of NVQs registered has increased rapidly in recent years. This is testament to the commitment of the industry to develop its employees’ competence.

There is a range of both specialist and generic NVQ qualifications available to the industry’s employees and the subjects included are under constant revision to ensure that skills requirements are addressed. The qualifications that are specific to the industry include a range of NVQs concerning health, safety and environmental management at levels 3 to 5. This programme was developed in conjunction with the Institute of Quarrying and EPIC, the national training organisation for the sector. In addition to the identification of 9,740 N/SVQ registrations in 2004/5 (including preceding years), there were 6,243 N/SVQ full certifications recorded.

Aspirations

The industry is committed to developing its workforce to levels that are appropriate to employees’ current positions and future career aspirations. It would like to see a major step forward in the number of health, safety and environmental qualifications as this would assist in the delivery of the sustainable development objectives.