Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 June 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 June 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Nutrition

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will recommend that the School Food Trust consider the NVQ approach to work-based assessment of nutritional competence at levels 1 to 4.

Answer: We are working with People 1st (the sector skills council for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries), the Food Standards Agency, the Teacher Training Agency, the Learning and Skills Council and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to review and build on the range of catering qualifications that are currently available, including NVQs. Our aim is to ensure that we have a ladder of qualifications that include information on nutritional standards where appropriate, meet the skills needs of all catering staff, and support progression from the level 1 VRQ.

Secondary information