People 1st, the new Sector Skills Council charged with recommending changes in hospitality training to the Government, has given the clearest indication yet that the NVQ qualification could be scrapped.
Speaking during a debate at the Skills for Chefs Conference at the University of Sheffield this week, Simon Turl, chief executive officer of People 1st, said: "I guarantee that the introduction of the Sector Skills Council will improve things. Maybe that means the NVQ will change."
Although he added that the system might not be thrown out altogether, his stance signified a shift towards those who would like NVQs to be overhauled.
David Mulcahy, food service and craft development manager for Compass, who chaired the debate, said: "Whereas before you had lots of different opinions, the arguments now appear to be more joined up."
Turl urged the industry to voice its opinions so that any improvements to the qualification reflected the industry's needs.