Vocational Qualification Standards: UK

By

Nigel Lloyd Marta Jacyniuk-Lloyd

Nadeem A. Khan

Regulatory Bodies: NOS (Standards of Competence)

• institutional complexity

• National Occupational Standards (NOS): all UK

• Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA 2002)

• 25 Sector Skills Councils

• Several other standards-setting bodies

NB: it does not matter how competence was acquired, NVQs are independent of courses.

Regulatory Bodies: Qualifications

• England QCA (Qualifications & Curriculum Authority 1997)

• Scotland SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority 1997)

• Wales: ACCAC (Awdurdod Cymwysterau, Cwricwlwm Ac Asesu Cymru Qualifications, Curriculum & Assessment Authority for Wales 1997)

• Northern Ireland: CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment 1997)

• 135 licensed Awarding Bodies (only SQA in Scotland)

• Approved Assessment Centres

• England: ALI (Adult Learning Inspectorate 2001) inspects government-funded training providers

• Unregulated training providers

National Qualification Framework in England

D (doctoral)doctorates

5Level 5 NVQ Level 5 Diploma

8Specialist awards

M (masters)masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas

7Level 7 Diploma

H (honours)bachelors degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas

4Level 4 NVQ Level 4 Diploma Level 4 BTEC Higher National

6Level 6 Diploma

I (intermediate)diplomas of higher education and further education

5Level 5 BTEC Higher National Diploma

C (certificate)certificates of higher education

4Level 4 Certificate

3Level 3 Certificate Level 3 NVQ A levels

2Level 2 Diploma Level 2 NVQ, GCSEs A*-C

1Level 1 CertificateLevel 1 NVQ GCSEs D-G GCSEs

NVQ Awarding Bodies

◘In UK, there are over 135 NVQ awarding bodies which are recognized by UK NARIC

◘ Awarding bodies are responsible for assuring the quality of NVQs offered in their name.

◘Examples: ◘ Transportation Vocational Group

◘ Sea Fish Industry Authority

◘ Petroleum Industry National Training Organisation

◘ Institute of Customer Service

◘ Gas & Water Industry National Training Organisation

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs, SVQs)

• Title• Level• Learning outcomes: • “The learner will…• 1.2.3. etc

• Additional information about the unit• Unit aim(s)• Unit expiry date• relationship to relevant NOS

• Assessment requirements specified by a sector or regulatory body

• Location of the unit within the subject/sector classification system

• Availability for use

• Credit value• Assessment criteria: • “The learner can…• 1.11.22.12.23.13.2 etc

• relationship to other standards or curricula

• Endorsement of the unit by the sector or other appropriate body

• Name of the organisation submitting the unit

• Availability for delivery

Approved Training Providers

• Awarding bodies help training providers to apply for approval to train candidates

• Criteria: • 1. Strong track record in managing

existing NVQ criteria• 2. Compliance with qualification

specifications requirements• 3. Competence and occupational

qualifications of assessors• 4. Opportunities for training for candidates

Approved Assessment Centre Criteria: Management Systems

◘Documented quality procedures◘Progress reports and staff updates◘Documented policy procedures◘Organizational Chart◘Lines of accountability ◘CVs of assessors, internal verifiers and

assessment teams◘Internal plans & reports◘Staff Handbooks & organizational charts◘Minutes of meeting & reports from awarding

body

Approved Assessment Centre Criteria: Resources

• Record of resources/finances availability

• Record of equipment & accommodation

• Maintenance Schedules• Health & Safety Policies• Assessor/ Candidate ratios• Staff induction & guidance

materials• Records of meetings/ briefings• Lists of qualified assessors

Approved Assessment Centre: Delivery & Assessment

• Candidate guidance & support materials• Details of support services available• Candidate assessment plans, procedures, review

procedures, appeal procedures• Lists of resources available for special needs• Candidate tracking systems• Sampled assessments• Details of countersigning arrangements for

assessment decisions made by unqualified assessors

• Records of units registered/claimed/awarded

Approved Assessment Centre: Records• Candidate registration details.• Candidate assessment records.• Evidence files/portfolios.• Security and access arrangements.• Achievement records in relation to the access and

fair assessment policy.• Statistical information on achievement and

certification rates analysed by factors such as ethnic origin, disability and gender.

• Records of candidate entry/registration details• and certificate claims.

Learning & Skills teacher/tutor/trainer

1. ‘Passport’ award for all new entrants into the profession

2. full QTLS status (Qualified Teacher Learning & Skills) = fully qualified school or university teacher

• Domain A Professional Values & Practice• Domain B Specialist Area & its Pedagogy• Domain C Planning for Learning• Domain D Learning and Teaching• Domain E Assessment for Learning• Domain F Supporting Access & Progression

9/07 all new teachers /tutors/trainers in the Learning & Skills sector in England to start on the ‘Passport’, beginning a learning pathway towards QTLS.

Thank You Questions Please?