Qualification reform update Geoff Holden October 2014

Key points from the last year DfE 2016 performance tables list published SfA Technical guidance DfE 2017/18 Technical guidance Ofqual QCF consultation Lifting of accreditation requirement Functional skills reprieve New UCAS process

Qualifications 2015 GCSEs L3 Tech Levels AVQs- employer led- Whitehead style Apprenticeships- Richard design Traineeships HE Unit based provision unemployed, upskilling L2 Techs? KS4 VQs A Levels Applied Generals

Qualifications update GCSEs AVQs- employer led- Whitehead style Apprenticeships- Richard design Traineeships HE Unit based provision unemployed, upskilling Substantial L2VQs Technical Awards A Levels Applied Generals L3 Core maths L3 Tech Levels

14-16 Update Technical Awards are broad, high-quality level 1 and level 2 qualifications that equip students with applied knowledge and associated practical skills not usually acquired through general education. Technical Awards may focus on applied study of an industry sector or occupational group, or the acquisition of practical and technical skills. These qualifications will fulfil entry requirements for both academic and vocational study post-16, alongside GCSEs. Maximum of three alongside GCSEs

14-16 Update Technical Awards must be recognised and valued by post-16 education and training providers as beneficial to students’ general education at key stage 4 alongside GCSEs. Minimum 120 glh Graded 40% external assessment Must be designed for and not available post-16

16-19 Update Substantial Vocational Qualifications at level 2 – these are rigorous intermediate technical qualifications for post-16 students wishing to specialise in a specific industry, occupation or occupational group. They cover occupations where employers recognise entry at level 2 or where a level 2 qualification is required before students can progress to a Tech Level. They equip students with specialist knowledge and skills, enabling entry to an Apprenticeship, employment or progression to a Tech Level.

16-19 Update Substantial Vocational Qualifications at level 2 must be at least 150 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) Mandatory content and the associated contribution to the overall grade must make up at least 40% of a Substantial Vocational Qualification at level 2 Minimum 25% external assessment for a Substantial Vocational Qualification at level 2

16-19 qualification features ‘Tech Levels’– at Level 3 seen by DfE and BIS as core vocational option Key component of Technical Baccalaureate (alongside EPQ and Core Maths) Graded, external and synoptic assessment Employer endorsement In England, the occupational standard will be the same for adult vocational qualifications, Apprenticeships and Tech Levels Substantial Level 2s – into employment or progress to Tech Level

Post 19 and Apprenticeships- Whitehead- AVQ reforms and Richard review implementation plan Richard review- implementation Three rounds of Trailblazers Moving to BAU First starts expected Spring 2015 SASE issue… Based on high level standard Enable progression Core and options model Linked to Tech Levels

Ofqual updates Removal of accreditation requirement for DfE submissions from summer 2014 and for all qualifications from November 3 (except GCSEs, AS and A levels) Consultation on effective abolition of QCF Consultation on GLH definition for RPA

Removal of ‘accreditation’ Expectation we get it 100% right first time All handbooks and assessments ready Regulatory focus on ‘life cyle’ of qualification Design develop deliver review

Removal of QCF regulations No requirement for unit based qualification No requirement to assign credit No requirement to share content Supports DfE and 19+ qualification reforms Closure of unit data bank Consultation closes today Technical consultation on implementation over winter (covering timescales and systems updates)

Skills funding priorities 2013/14 & 2014/15 Support growth for 16-24s, at Advanced and Higher levels, and in priority sectors Support the development and delivery of Traineeships. Support the successful introduction of 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Take quick and robust action to identify and tackle poor performance Develop a vision for high quality vocational qualifications (Whitehead Review)

SfA Technical Guidance update July 2014 A funding system which Supports individuals to achieve English and maths at Level 2. Allows young adults (19 to 23) to access and progress through key qualifications available at Key Stage 4 and 5. Supports individuals to gain the core and initial skills required to enter employment. Supports individuals in improving skills and/or gaining new skills to enter and move across and through employment. Supports individuals to progress to the next level of attainment and learning.

Tech Level qualifications approved for inclusion in Performance Tables. Substantial Level 2 vocational qualifications which will meet DfE requirements for inclusion in 16 to 19 Performance Tables. Level 3 Early Years Educator qualifications which are confirmed as meeting the ‘full and relevant’ criteria by the National College for Teaching and Leadership. QCF Level 3 Award in Education and Training and the QCF Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training. Specific qualifications in fork- lift truck, food hygiene, health and safety, and first aid at work approved for certain groups of learners. SfA Technical Guidance- Automatic approval

Our new business rules will ensure that we only fund qualifications that have clear recognition from employers and/or education institutions. Qualifications in the offer will need to be of sufficient size to deliver meaningful learning and demonstrate the attainment of skills, knowledge and understanding. Furthermore, we will only approve qualifications that are in line with funding priorities as expressed in the annual Skills Funding Statement, and that have clear, public facing statements of purpose that demonstrate this. Must be on website by November SfA Technical Guidance update July 2014

Qualifications at Entry to Level 1 must be at least six credits. Qualifications at Level 2 or above must be at least 15 credits. Reviewing the position of Entry and Level 1 provision- Are qualifications appropriate? SfA Technical Guidance update July 2014

City & Guilds new product lines Level 2 & 3 Technicals Designed to meet DfE and SfA criteria Phase 1 from August 2014 Core components of City & Guilds TechBac ®

City Guilds’ TechBac ® Title Level 2 (Technical) Award in Environmental and Land Based Studies Level 2 (Technical) Certificate in Animal Care Level 2 (Technical) Certificate in Equine Care Level 2 (Technical) Award in Engineering Level 2 (Technical) Certificate in Engineering Level 3 (Technical) Certificate in Engineering Level 3 (Technical) Extended Certificate in Engineering Level 3 (Technical) Diploma in Engineering Level 2 (Technical) Award in Hair and Beauty Studies Level 2 (Technical) Award in Business Enterprise within the Hair and Beauty Sector Level 3 (Technical) Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator) Level 2 (Technical) Award in Automotive Level 2 (Technical) Certificate in Automotive Level 2 (Technical) Award in Digital Technologies Level 2 (Technical) Certificate in Digital Technologies Level 3 (Technical) Certificate in Digital Technologies Level 3 (Technical) Extended Certificate in Digital Technologies Level 3 (Technical) Diploma in Digital Technologies Level 2 (Technical) Award in Constructing the Built Environment Level 2 (Technical) Award in Designing and Planning the Built Environment Level 2 (Technical) Award in Exploring Civil Engineering Level 3 (Technical) Certificate in Constructing the Built Environment Level 3 (Technical) Extended Certificate in Constructing the Built Environment Level 3 (Technical) Diploma in Constructing the Built Environment Level 2 (Technical) Award in an Introduction to Electrical Installation Skills Level 2 (Technical) Award in an Introduction to Plumbing Skills

Implications- Employers Employers are seen by the Government as critical for the success of these reforms. Employers will become the direct purchasers of apperenticeship and adult training not our centres Evidence of direct employer involvement in the design and assessment of all vocational qualifications is expected and, in the case of the new apprenticeship qualifications, essential. The reformed level 3 qualifications, endorsed by and developed with employers, will form the substantive part of the new study programmes Any Questions? Thank You