Qualification Development Update23 April 2015

Laura Holland

CILEx Regulators

CILEx regulated by: Ofqual – regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland

CILEx Regulation (formerly IPS) – ensures CILEx carries out its work in accordance with the principles of good

regulation.

Qualifications and Credit Framework

Ofqual (then QCDA) introduced the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) in 2008 for vocational qualifications.

Rigid design rules for qualifications covering:StructureLevelTitlingCredit value

Advantages of the QCF

Allowed learners to accumulate credit across qualifications and through different Awarding Organisations

Same design features made qualifications easy to understand

Shared unit bank would avoid duplication of units with similar content and lead to fewer qualification components in the system

Issues with the QCF

The introduction of the QCF also raised issues:

Less flexibility in qualification developmentGrading problematicUnit sharing – quality of shared units; ownership; intellectual property

Review of QCF

Review of QCF late 2013 Consultation on withdrawing the QCF in October

2014

Outcome: QCF to be withdrawn from summer 2015 Qualifications no longer have to be designed to

QCF rules

Implications for England

Awarding organisations can now offer different types of qualifications that are no longer subject to the QCF rules.

Greater regulator emphasis on validity :who the qualification is for and why it is needed Identifying the right knowledge, skills and understanding to meet that need Choosing assessment that will maintain standardsSeeking feedback to ensure the qualification is meeting the need

Implications for Wales

QCF qualifications still recognised within the Credit and Qualifications Framework Wales (CQFW) and within Apprenticeships

Qualifications Wales to be established by September 2015 to approve qualifications in Wales

CILEx Response

CILEx to evaluate current provision and possible new developments.

Seeking views from employers, centres, and learners:Focus groupsStakeholder surveysEmployer, centre and learner eventsCommunicationsWebsite

Future Developments

Opportunities for new developments:

E-assessmentQualifications for 16 year oldsShort skill awardsCustomised and endorsed provision

SFA Funding

Fewer qualifications becoming eligible for public funding

Future funding to be based on more locally responsive offer

Funding secured for CILEx qualifications at level 3 for 2015/16

New government?