National Certificates and National Progression Awards (NPAs) are vocational qualifications designed to prepare people for employment, for career development or for progression to further study.

National Certificates and NPAs are available at SCQF levels 2-6 and can be delivered in colleges or through partnerships between colleges, schools and employers.

National Certificates are primarily aimed at 16-18 year olds and adults in full-time education, normally at a college. They prepare candidates for employment or further study, by developing a range of knowledge and skills. National Certificates have specific aims which relate to occupational areas and are linked to National Occupational Standards.

NPAs are designed to assess a defined set of skills and knowledge in specialist vocational areas. They are mainly used by colleges for short programmes of study. NPAs are linked to National Occupational Standards.

National Certificates and NPAs are now available in a range of sectoral areas.

Arrangements documents for these new Group Awards will be uploaded, as and when the qualifications become validated. See link.

For more details on planned development dates of National Certificates and NPAs in each of the subject areas above, please refer to the NQGA Status Report and Development Schedule.