Firstly, both are vocational qualifications. This means they are related to work.
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are competence based qualifications. This means that they are achieved by someone who has proven that they can carry out a job to the right standard. Some or most of the assessment must take place in actual work situations.
Vocational Related Qualifications (VRQs) are knowledge and understanding based qualifications that are related to a work setting. They can be achieved outside of the workplace and do not prove competence. Assessment can be by assignment or tests.
Neither is more important as both will have their place. For example in social care a competence based qualification is used as a license to practice. Whereas a knowledge based qual might be used to develop understanding of infection control.
NVQs and VRQs have now been pulled together by the introduction of the Qualification and Curriculum Framework (QCF). You will however still see units or qualifications that reflect these differences.
Firstly, both are vocational
Firstly, both are vocational qualifications. This means they are related to work.
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are competence based qualifications. This means that they are achieved by someone who has proven that they can carry out a job to the right standard. Some or most of the assessment must take place in actual work situations.
Vocational Related Qualifications (VRQs) are knowledge and understanding based qualifications that are related to a work setting. They can be achieved outside of the workplace and do not prove competence. Assessment can be by assignment or tests.
Neither is more important as both will have their place. For example in social care a competence based qualification is used as a license to practice. Whereas a knowledge based qual might be used to develop understanding of infection control.
NVQs and VRQs have now been pulled together by the introduction of the Qualification and Curriculum Framework (QCF). You will however still see units or qualifications that reflect these differences.
regards
Tom