Limiting access to the vocational qualifications market to a single Awarding Organisation may create a short-term risk of system failure.

This is one of the findings from a DfE-commissioned report into the vocational qualifications market.

Given the importance of vocational qualifications to the FE sector and the levels of public funding involved, the 121-page report aimed to define the vocational qualifications market, assess its effectiveness in providing good qualifications, and identify potential weaknesses.

In assessing the benefits and risks associated with options for reforming the market, the report concluded:

• There are likely to be fewer risks if contracts are tendered to allow multiple Awarding Organisations to deliver particular qualifications in order to allow for competition in the market 
• The risks associated with reforms in one part of the market are likely to be significantly dependent on decisions made about reforms in other parts of the market 
• ‘One size fits all’ is not likely to be appropriate across the vocational qualifications market
• Mitigation actions to manage these risks must be considered alongside exploring potential reforms.