Awarding Organisation Forum19th May 2014

Holborn, London

Awarding Organisation Forum

The Darwin principle:Evolution not Revolution….

John McNamara19 May 2014

Aims of this session:

• Review the current AO environment

• Brief analysis of core issues

• Identifying key strengths/opportunities

• Future prospects

• Discussion!

Current regulatory environment:

• 176 recognised AOs (+1)

• 144 AOs awarded qualifications in the last reported quarter

• High barrier to entry remains

• The ‘top ten’ AOs account for 70% of certificates issued

• Qualifications total: 20,906

(Source: Ofqual Statistical Release Dec. 2013 published 12/03/14)

Reminder of the presumed benefits of regulation:

• Quality assured products – confidence for learners & employers

• Regulated products meet high standards

• Listing of all qualifications on the register

• Standing of qualifications in potential overseas markets

Overview of our current market:

• Major policy changes continue

• Pressure on public funding

• Rationalisation of training provision

• Pricing – continuing pressure on margins

• Increasing employer influence

• Economic Recovery – at last!

Politics……major market impact

“events dear boy, events……”

The Reform Agenda continues:

• Apprenticeship ‘trailblazers’

• 16-19 qualifications

• Whitehead recommendations

• Ofqual review of the QCF

• Future role of the regulators

“….we need to trust FE institutions more. In overseas vocational systems, colleges have the power, like UK universities, to devise their own programmes and award their own qualifications. But in England, colleges are obliged to teach curricula handed to them by external awardingbodies, leaving little room to tailor provision to the needs of students or of their potential (or actual) employers. We need colleges with thepower to decide what to teach and how.”

Rt. Hon. Dr. Vince Cable MP speech at Cambridge, 23/04/14

Future trends & prospects?

• Much less reliance on public funding

• New strategic alliances/joint ventures

• Increase in International & non-regulated provision

• Radical change to training provision

• Rationalisation

• Roles of Ofqual, BIS & DfE

• Increased consultancy role to employers/FE

• Technology drivers

The new reality of needs:

(with apologies to Maslow!)

The future’s bright….

But it won’t be easy!

Massive On-line Open Courses(MOOCS)

• Now widely accessible• Future impact ?

Future of MOOCs?:

In summary:

• Change is the only constant

• Immediate challenges around funding, apprenticeships and VQ reform

• Opportunities too!

• Remember to use and support FAB

Annual Conference:

• 13th & 14th October 2014 Marriott Hotel, Leicester

• www.awarding.co.uk

Changing Rooms!

(with acknowledgements to: Dr.Claes Janssen & Ashridge College)

Awarding Organisation Forum

Thanks for listening!

John McNamaraTel: 07879 477448

E-mail: john.mcnamara@lifetimeawarding.co.uk

Awarding Organisation Forum19th May 2014

Holborn, London