This paper based on the work of Swailes and Roodhouse, funded by Edexcel and commissioned by the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) investigates the barriers to the take up of higher level National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in Higher Education in the context of graduate employability and workforce development. It also includes an introduction to the history of NVQs as the UK national training system and relationship to the recently introduced foundation degrees. It exposes inconsistencies and contradictions, including the responsibility for funding workforce development in Higher education to deliver this agenda. The failure of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) to coordinate their frameworks and respective procedures in the national interest is discussed. The engagement of employers in setting the higher education employability agenda is described and the potential role of National Occupational Standards (NoS) is described. The paper finally addresses the policy implications for engaging higher education in work force development.