Semta reveals highest ever vocational qualification registrations

The new data reveals that the number of National/Scottish Vocational Qualifications (N/SVQs) registrations in Semta's sectors has increased by a significant 13 per cent, with a total of 33,538 registrations throughout the quarter. This is the first time the number of registrations has exceeded 30,000 in a single quarter and incorporates a significant rise in both Level 2 and Level 3 certifications but a reduction of four per cent in the number of Level 1 registrations. Semta said the data suggested employers had been working to take advantage its Compact funding – a £100 million funding agreement which ends at the end of May 2011. Philip Whiteman (pictured), chief executive of Semta said: "These latest figures highlight the value employers in our sectors place on making sure they have the skills they need to thrive and compete on the global trade stage post-recession. We're delighted to see the rise in registrations over the past quarter, indicating that even more employers are taking advantage of our Compact agreement, which has already funded training plans for 2,000 companies over the past two years.