iCQ – A view of funding changes and trailblazers

Andy Tait18 November 2016

iCQ – an overview of who we are (now) An Ofqual accredited RQF Awarding Organisation

Sectors include general business, finance, logistics, retail, service enterprises, hospitality, health and social care and more

Over 200 regulated qualifications

Most qualifications are funded

iLearner – an overview

iCQ’s integrated, browser-based learner and funding data management system

iLearner – key functions and tools•Manage learner evidence •Conduct external and Internal Quality Assurance (on line / real time)

• Identify gaps in evidence•Record assessment activities, feedback and time

e-Portfolio

Learner Management•Track learner progress against target dates• Identify learners (and assessors) behind schedule•Complete all good practice documentation on screen (ILP, reviews, diagnostics, unit allocation)

iLearner – key functions and tools

•On screen ILR and unique learner interview significantly reduces funding administration time

•Manage multiple contracts and sub-contracts•Ensure SASE compliance

Funding Management

•Map company L&D programmes to qualifications using iLearner•Add assessment activities and create learner workbooksMapping & Activities

Tailoring iLearner to our customers needs iLearner can be ‘skinned’ to reflect our customers’ website styles

All users can login to iLearner via our customers’ website or intranet

Our customers can add additional fields to iLearner to record the data they need (and report on those fields)

iCQ certificates can include our customers’ logos

Transparent pricing iCQ pricing recognises that funding is paid in instalments – so our

prices are end loaded (supporting cash flow)

Our iLearner registration includes registration for as many qualifications as the learner needs - ever (supporting progression)

Certificates - pay on completion – for achievers only

When iCQ need to increase prices (not every year) – we generally give 12 months notice

Transparent pricing Employability £10.00

Knowledge £22.00

Competence £38.00

Combined £60.00

iLearner £20.00*

Certificates Levels 1 – 3

Centre approval pa £500.00*(includes iLearner training)

*+VAT

Transparent pricing Employability £10.00

Knowledge £30.00

Competence £45.00

Combined £75.00

iLearner £20.00*

Certificates Levels 4 +

Centre approval pa £500.00*(includes iLearner training)

*+VAT

Transparent pricingMultiple Choice

£0.00

Private Standards £0.00

Learning Content £0.00

Mapping, Activities £0.00

iLearner £20.00*

Other Functions

*+VAT

The future - trailblazer standards (TS) TS will replace existing apprenticeship frameworks (by 2020?)

TS and Assessment Plans are written by employers and approved by BIS

TS are usually 2 pages long and include

• Knowledge and understanding• Skills• Behaviours

Trailblazer standards (TS) All TS include an independent end point assessment (EPA)

• EPA must be conducted by an approved assessment organisation

Apprentices will be graded, where possible

Maths and English (Functional Skills or GCSE) a requirement

Minimum 12 months duration and a minimum 20% off-the-job training

A Trailblazer standard Extract from Hospitality Team Member

Assessment Plan Process for Hospitality Team Member

Activities can be completed in any order as long as professional discussion is last

• 90 minutes• Multiple choice

questions

On demand test

• 3 hours• Working in own

department covering range of skills expected for the role

Practical observation

• Research an issue / opportunity to improve the department – e.g. way of working, respond to customer feedback

• Present findings and recommendation

Project and presentation

• Structured discussion• Apprentice, Employer

and Assessor• Brings the assessment

phase to a close

Professional discussion

Trailblazers Existing frameworks are being phased out and replaced by TS

• This should be completed by 2020?

We have – • Trailblazer standards• Trailblazer assessment plans• Approved standards are available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-standards-ready-for-delivery

Qualifications are generally not included in the new apprenticeships

Trailblazer delivery EPA must be conducted by an approved assessment organisation

Providers can contract with employers to deliver training

Providers cannot deliver training and EAP to the same employer

Employers can be providers or an assessment organisation(Providers will also provide assessment and support to apprentices on an ongoing basis)

Employer levy

2% of employers will pay the levy

Levy collected from April 2017

Levy collected by HMRC through PAYE

Source: Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS

Gove

rnm

ent

Trai

ning

Pr

ovid

erEm

ploy

er Receive training for apprentice

Claim funding from

SFA

The objectives: Employer control and simplicity

The objectives: Training provider provides assurance and management / forecasting information

The objectives: Get the machinery right to provide a quality service while protecting public purse

“Double lock”

HMRC collect levy

(PAYE)

Employ Apprentice

Offer apprenticeship

training

Price agreed with

employer

Timely data on training

Pay for training with

account balance

Employer has online

account

Provide training to apprentice

Check training to employer account

Pay provider

Register with SFA

(Ofsted)

Employer and Provider Identity Assurance

Pass data on levy payments from HMRC to BIS

Unused balance expires

Top up

Source: Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS

Dig

ital A

ppre

ntic

eshi

p Se

rvic

e (D

AS)

will

man

age

the

levy

How TS and the levy (should) work Providers must be on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers

Providers will have contracts with employers and ancillary agreement with SFA

Employer contribution from levy or co-investment for non-levy payers

Provider payments released by ‘double lock’ – employer commitment / monthly data return

Source: Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS

iCQ – an overview of our (trailblazer) future

iCQ will be an End Point Assessment Organisation for trailblazer apprenticeship standards

iCQ will support training providers collect data (required for SfA) and manage the apprentices learning journey using iLearner

The iCQ trailblazer solution

Pre-delivery

Learner diagnostics

Learner journey

Learner management

End Point Assessment

Pre-learning delivery

Map large employer

programmes to the

standard(s)

Review mapping with

iCQ

iCQ add mapping to

iLearner

Learner diagnostics – using iLearner

Skills Scan – to identify

strengths / weaknesses

Diagnostic tests (multiple

choice) as appropriate

Learner journey – using iLearner

Add learning resources

Add milestone assessment

activities

Set-up bespoke multiple

choice tests for employers

Learner management – using iLearner

Manage trainers and

learner reviews

Manage funding

returns to SfA

Schedule / record

gateway and EPA planning

meetings

End point assessment – delivered and recorded on iLearner

Multiple choice test /

portfolio

PD, project, observation,

other - recorded by

assessor

Internal quality

assurance and grading

The iCQ complete solution

Pre-delivery

Learner diagnostics

Learner journey

Learner management

End Point Assessment

Any questions?

And thank you for your time