Improve Vocational Qualifications - Northern Ireland

The Improve Vocational Qualification family are designed to be delivered and assessed in a learning environment.

They are based on vocational skills and underpinning knowledge units, which are combined to produce a wide range of qualifications suitable for many different types of learners ; both those learners already employed in the sector, or those who need to develop skills and knowledge to make the ‘work ready’ for the sector.

IVQs also allow learners to develop skills and knowledge  which can be assessed in a workplace or learning environment. Many IVQs contain some of the same units that are in the IPQs, making it easy for learners to  progress from one type of qualification to another.

IVQs are valuable qualifications in their own right, and vary in size and scope according to their purpose. There are some IVQs that focus on assessing the knowledge of the key areas for the Food and Drink Industry, such as Food Safety and HACCP. There are other IVQs which provide a broad introduction to the skills and knowledge needed to work in the sector . Others combine skills and knowledge needed to run a successful business with vocational skills such as baking.

IVQs are developed by Awarding Organisations, and accredited on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).