Raising standards for Apprenticeships and reforming vocational qualifications

Jeremy Benson, Executive Director for Vocational Qualifications, Ofqual6 November 2014

Objectives of this session

To explain…

How assessments and qualifications fit into apprenticeships

Ofqual’s new regulatory approach to vocational qualifications

Our work on the reformed apprenticeships

How assessments and qualifications fit into apprenticeships

Existing frameworks defined mostly by reference to qualifications

Ofqual regulates the component qualifications but not apprenticeships overall

Reduced focus on qualifications in the reformed apprenticeships is a strength – more on achievement of employer-defined standards by the end of the apprenticeship

But assessments still need to be valid, including where they are graded

Challenge of recognising achievement of important “soft” or generic skills, such as teamwork

Ofqual’s new regulatory approach to vocational qualifications

Focus on qualification validity – whether results can be used by those that rely on them meaningfully and appropriately

Validity cannot be judged at a single point in time – all stages need to be right

We are proposing to remove the QCF rules that most apprenticeship qualifications were designed to meet

Risk-based validity audits of awarding organisations ongoing

We are improving information and data about qualifications

Need to understand wider pressures on qualifications, and seeking to influence where we can

Our work on the reformed apprenticeships in England

Advising Government on assessment and grading issues

Planning for the regulation of apprenticeship end-point assessments“Quality assurance, like the assessments themselves, needs to be independent of those who lead on the design and delivery of assessment and have robust processes to maintain quality of assessment over time. We are open to different approaches to quality assurance of assessments in apprenticeships, and would welcome proposals for employer, professional body and sector led approaches. Alternatively, if standard setters would like their assessments to be regulated by Ofqual, then they are welcome to do so.” – Apprenticeship Trailblazer Guidance, October 2014

Discussing with trailblazers their needs and aspirations around assessments

Considering implications for the wider qualifications market of the apprenticeship reforms

Any questions?

http://ofqual.gov.uk/news/ofqual-publishes-corporate-plan/

http://ofqual.gov.uk/news/glenys-staceys-speech-federation-awarding-bodies-conference-14-october/

jeremy.benson@ofqual.gov.uk