Consultancy to award NVQ’s

Manchester consultancy Spoken Image has been validated by the Open University to award National Vocational Qualifications in graphic, product and interior design.

The consultancy becomes one of the first centres in the UK to be validated and will provide back- up to designers taking the qualification to ensure correct assessment is carried out. The Open University will issue certificates to successful candidates.

Geoff Allman, managing director of Spoken Image, says the qualification provides “a framework to continue designers’ training and education while working”.

Richard Shearman, project director of the Industry Lead Body for Design, adds: “Traditionally there has been little investment in training in the design industry. The development of design NVQ centres is most certainly the way forward for continuing design education.”