Ofqual’s expectations for the QCF PAA\VQSET National Conference 2009

Fiona Pethick, Director of Regulation

About Ofqual

Previously part of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority – known as the Regulation and Skills Division Intention to establish an independent regulator announced by Ed Balls in September 2007 Independent

– From Government – From the QCA

About confidence that standards are being maintained Chair appointed in April 2008 – Kathleen Tattersall Legislation has almost completed parliamentary process – vesting

expect Meanwhile, Ofqual a distinct part of the QCA

– Memorandum of Understanding Will report directly to Parliament, not to Ministers

Our Mission

To be the independent regulator of qualifications, tests and assessments that are valued and trusted by learners, users and the wider public.

How we want to be seen

An independent regulator, reporting to Parliament

Maintaining standards and confidence in qualifications, exams and tests

Rooting for the learner

Regulating a fair and effective market

Evidence-based

Respected and trusted

Open and transparent

Located in Coventry

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

The QCF is designed to provide learners, learning providers and employers with :

an inclusive and flexible regulated qualifications framework containing units and qualifications

recognition of the widest possible range of quality assured learner achievements

a standard currency for learner achievement across the qualifications system through the award of credit

The aim of the QCF

inclusive – able to recognise the achievements of all learners at any level and in any area of learningresponsive – enabling individuals and employers to establish routes to achievement that are appropriate to their needs, and recognisedorganisations to develop units and qualifications in response to demandaccessible – building a system based on clear design features that are easy for all users to understandnon-bureaucratic – based on mutual trust and confidence, supported by a robust and proportionate approach to regulation and quality assurance

The design of the QCF

unit and credit based qualifications

the level and size of achievements can be easily identified through the use of Award, Certificate, Diploma in qualification titles

allows accumulation and transfer of credits between qualifications and awarding organisations

maximum flexibility and range of opportunities for learners’ progression and achievement

Where we are in the development of the QCF

Facts and Figures (as at 16 November 2009):

Number of organisations fully recognised to operate within the QCF:

Awarding Organisations - 20

Unit & RoC submitters - 7

Employers - 4

TOTAL = 31

Current number of organisations operating in the QCF without full

recognition: 55

Number of Accredited Qualifications within QCF – 2,644

Number of units submitted to the QCF databank – 13,129

Evaluation of the QCF Regulatory Arrangements

The tests and trial phase of the QCF development identified that some of the key processes of the QCF had not been fully tested. It is also important to evaluate how the new Regulatory arrangements are operating.

As such, we therefore made a new commitment to closely monitor and evaluate the impact of the QCF Regulatory arrangements in practice.

The evaluation aims to assess how effective the regulation of the QCF has been against our key objectives for regulation.

We made a commitment to report back after the first year of the Regulatory arrangements’ operation.

Publication of evaluation report

The findings of the evaluation will be published in January

A communication event is planned for late January with stakeholders

There will be a second, and final, report published in autumn 2010 reporting on the second year of the evaluation

Plans for the second year will be informed by findings of the first year