There are hundreds of NVQ's. They differ from one another. If one generalises an example can always be found to fault the generalisation. For example although NVQ's were intended for people at work, quite a large number, particularly at the lower levels, are obtained by full time college based students. Their teachers will probably have worked out curricula and may well include a formal test of knowledge and understanding in the course. For most people at work, however, NVQ's are strong on the "how" but weak on the "why". This does not help in developing a flexible work-force (still less a thinking citizen).

Thinking employers realise the problem. Educationalists write about it. Major reports hint at it. But what do you do about it, other than telling employers that if they want a knowledgeable staff, who are also preparing themselves for promotion, they will after all have to allow them study time off the job and at an education institution? That would turn the original NVQ selling point on its head, and government seems reluctant to do this.

If we are looking for a pragmatic solution, can it be distance learning to the rescue? It will not suit all people, or all situations, but its strength, proved by results over more than a century, is in developing knowledge and understanding. It will cost - good education and training is never cheap, but worthwhile in cost-benefit terms. Distance learning systems can be tailored to specific needs, they can be used at times suitable to the student and the employer, they save what may be considerable time in travelling to an appropriate centre, they can provide national standards of learning materials, teaching expertise, and quality of assessment. Despite its UfI initiative, government needs to be persuaded that distance learning should become an acknowledged part of the system of producing a rounded knowledgeable NCVQ holder, and employers that this is a service worth paying for. Some colleges we know are involved with NVQ's or have been in the past. It would be interesting to hear about their experiences in future issues of the newsletter.