Glossary
| A/MA Framework | Advanced/ Modern Apprenticeship Framework |
| AB | Awarding Body |
| ACCAC | Qualifications, Curriculum & Assessment Authority for Wales |
| ACE | Assuring Competence in Engineering Construction |
| AEEU | Amalgamated Engineering & Electrical Union |
| AM2/ FICA | Achievement Measurement/ Final Independent Competence Assessment |
| AMA | Advanced Modern Apprentice |
| BCECA | British Chemical Engineering Contractors Association |
| CAD | Computer-Aided Design. The process by which computer technology is used in the design process to create 3D and virtual reality models of plants, parts and modules. These can then be tested under simulated conditions before actual commissioning and construction. |
| CCNSG | Client Contractor National Safety Group |
| COMPLEX | Electrical work in explosive environments |
| Connexions | The new careers service |
| CVA | Certificate of Validated Achievement |
| DfES | Department for Education and Skills |
| DTI | Department for Trade and Industry |
| ECI | Engineering Construction Industry |
| ECIAS | Engineering Construction Industry Approved Supervisor |
| ECITB | Engineering Construction Industry Training Board |
| Edexcel | An Examining and Awarding Body |
| EEDA | East of England Development Agency |
| ELWa | Education & Learning Wales |
| ENTO | Employment National Training Organisation |
| ETA | Electricity Training Association |
| FE | Further Education |
| FMA | Foundation Modern Apprentice |
| GCSE | General Certificate of Secondary Education. Grades are awarded from A-G with A being the highest. For further and higher education purposes it is usually only those results from A-C that are taken into practical account. |
| GDP | Gross Domestic Product |
| GNVQ | General National Vocational Qualification. Like General Scottish Vocational Qualifications (GSVQs), GNVQs have a similar structure to NVQs and SVQs. Candidates must also prove their level of competency in core skills, such as communication, numeracy and information technology. GNVQs provide a basis for students to go on to further and higher education or into employment and training. GNVQs and GSVQs can be taken to three levels: Advanced - equivalent standard to A levels , Intermediate - equivalent standard to four GCSEs at grade C and above, Foundation - a one-year course for 16 year-olds who are not qualified to take an Intermediate GNVQ/GSVQ straight away. |
| GRP | Glass reinforced plastic |
| HE | Higher Education |
| HNC/HND | Higher National Certificate/Diploma. The third level qualification available from the Business Technology and Education Council (BTEC). |
| IiP | Investors in People |
| IOSH | Institution of Occupational Safety and Health |
| LEC | Local Enterprise Council |
| LSA | Low Specific Activity |
| LSC | Learning and Skills Council |
| MBA | Master of Business Administration (Higher Degree) |
| MSc | Master of Science (Higher Degree) |
| NAECI | National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry |
| NASEC | National Apprenticeship Scheme for Engineering Construction |
| NDT | Non-Destructive Testing |
| NET | National Electrochemical Training |
| NIETC | Northern Ireland Engineering Training Council |
| NSO | National Occupational Standards |
| NSDS | National Skills Development Scheme |
| N/SVQ | National/ Scottish Vocational Qualification |
| OSMTD | Offshore Supervisory Management Training and Development scheme |
| OCA | Offshore Contractors' Association |
| OJE | On the Job Experience |
| OPITO | The NTO for Oil & Gas Extraction |
| OSCEng | Occupational Standards Council for Engineering. |
| PCN Level 2 | Personal Certificate in NDT |
| QCA | Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The national body for developing and accrediting vocational and educational qualifications in the UK, except for Scotland. |
| RDA | Regional Development Agency |
| S1M Form | Statutory Manpower and Payroll Return 2005/2006 |
| SBS | Small Business Service |
| SEMTA | Science, Engineering, Manufacturing Technologies Alliance |
| SGs | Standard Grades in Scotland. The Scottish equivalent of GCSEs taken in the fourth year of secondary school and a replacement for the old O grade/level system. For each Standard Grade there are three different levels. Foundation, General and Merit and corresponding Grades 1-7. |
| SME | Small and Medium Sized Enterprise |
| SOC | Standard Occupational Classification |
| SQA | Scottish Qualifications Authority |
| SMTD | Supervisory Management Training and Development scheme |
| SSB | Standards Setting Body |
| Summit Skills SSC | SummitSkills Sector Skills Council |
| SVQ | Scottish Vocational Qualification. The Scottish equivalent to NVQ. |
| TECSkills | Training in Engineering Construction Skills |
| VQ | Vocational Qualification |