Vocational Qualifications by sector

To complete a vocational qualification, you’ll need to be working in a job role that relates to the qualification.

  1. Advice and Guidance
  2. Assessment and Quality Assurance
  3. Business Administration
  4. Career Information, Advice and Guidance
  5. Children's Care, Learning and Development
  6. Customer Service
  7. Learning and Development
  8. Management
  9. Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

Advice and Guidance qualifications

These qualifications are designed for professionals who provide advice and guidance to clients in a range of community or organisational settings. They are ideal for trained advisers with up-to-date knowledge who support individuals in areas such as employment, housing, health, or education.

Typical work environments include local authorities, housing associations, HR departments, training providers and health or social care services. These qualifications help demonstrate your expertise in delivering high-quality, client-focused support.

Initially developed by Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK), these qualifications are now overseen by the Government-backed Education and Training Foundation.

Available qualifications:

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Assessment and Quality Assurance qualifications

These qualifications are designed for individuals working in, or aspiring to work in, assessment and internal quality assurance roles. They replace the previous Assessor and Verifier (A&V) Units and are intended for use in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (with separate arrangements in Scotland).

They are suitable for professionals involved in:

  • Accredited learning
  • Non-accredited learning (e.g. workplace assessors not awarding formal qualifications)
  • Qualification frameworks such as the NQF and QCF

These qualifications help you develop and enhance your practice while gaining formal recognition for your role. They offer a clear pathway to becoming a qualified assessor or quality assurer within your organisation.

Available qualifications:

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Business Administration qualifications

These qualifications are ideal for those already working in administrative or support roles, whether in the public or private sector, as well as individuals looking to develop their administrative and supervisory skills.

A qualification in Business Administration can help you succeed in a variety of support roles across all types of organisations, from small businesses to large enterprises.

Typical roles include:

  • Secretary or Receptionist
  • Administrator
  • Personal Assistant
  • Office Supervisor or Team Leader
  • Manager

Available qualifications:

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Career Advice and Guidance qualifications

These qualifications are designed for professionals working in the career guidance sector, including the National Careers Service, external agencies, voluntary services, and other organisations where staff provide advice on careers, employability, and signposting.

They were developed in consultation with the sector as part of a national qualification strategy for career information, advice and guidance in England. These qualifications support those who deliver guidance directly, or as part of a broader role, and help enhance professional practice within this important field.

Available qualifications:

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Children's Care, Learning and Development qualifications

These qualifications are designed for professionals working with children and young people in a range of settings, including early years, residential care, and social care. They support those who help create safe, nurturing environments that promote learning, development, and wellbeing.

Developed in line with sector priorities, these qualifications enable practitioners to enhance the support they provide to children and families, giving them the best possible start in life.

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Customer Service qualifications

Customer service plays a vital role across all sectors of industry and commerce in the UK, with millions working in roles that involve direct customer interaction. These qualifications are designed for individuals in customer-facing roles who want to develop their communication, problem-solving, and service delivery skills.

Developed in collaboration with the Institute of Customer Service and the wider industry, these qualifications are recognised by the Council for Administration, the government’s standard-setting body for business skills at work.

They are ideal for those already working in customer service or related sectors such as contact centres, sales, or retail, as well as those looking to enter the field. Learners will build the practical skills needed to deliver excellent service and progress in their careers.

Available qualifications:

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Learning and Development qualifications

These qualifications are designed for professionals who support the training and development of others in the workplace. They’re ideal for those working in learning and development roles, including trainers, mentors, and facilitators, as well as managers who have responsibility for staff development.

Developed in consultation with sector experts and based on National Occupational Standards, these qualifications help learners build the skills and knowledge needed to plan, deliver, and evaluate effective training and development programmes.

Available qualifications:

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Management and Leadership qualifications

These qualifications are designed for practising managers at different stages of their careers, including first-line, middle, and senior managers. They are aligned with the 2014 National Occupational Standards for leadership and management.

The Level 3 Diploma is ideal for new or aspiring first-line managers looking to build core leadership skills, while the Level 5 Diploma supports experienced managers aiming to strengthen their strategic and operational capabilities.

Available qualifications:

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Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools qualifications

These qualifications are aimed at school support staff who assist in delivering teaching and learning in primary, secondary, or special schools. They’re suitable for those already working with children and young people, as well as individuals looking to begin a career in education.

Developed with the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) and Awarding Organisations, these qualifications are based on the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.

The Level 2 Award is ideal for those new to the sector or preparing to enter a support role, while the Level 3 Certificate is designed for those with existing experience who want to deepen their skills and responsibilities.

Available qualifications:

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All our qualifications are on the Regulated Qualifications Framework for England and Northern Ireland and the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales.

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