1. Wales’ New Qualifications BACH National Annual Conference – March 2019
Dr Dan Tromans
Head of Development and Commissioning

2. Our review Engaged with just under 200 stakeholders: FE colleges
school teachers
work-based learning provider managers
university staff
more than 110 employers.
We also:
engaged with learners
undertook a technical review of qualifications
carried out an international comparison
ran an online questionnaire.

3. Our findings
Complex, unclear and often repetitive qualification offer
Wider employability skills valued by small and large employers not always prescribed in qualifications
New technologies and traditional buildings not covered in ways that meet the needs of learners in Wales
Ineffective communication between employers and learning providers
Many ineffective and inconsistent assessment practices.

4. Timeline – Development and implementation
October 2016
Review commenced
February 2018
Published findings and tested proposals
Spring 2018 Consultation
Summer 2018 Notification of intention to restrict
October 2018
Minimum requirements engagement
September 2020
Publish new qualifications
September 2021
First teaching of the new qualifications (2022 for AS level)
Timeline – Development and implementation

5. Workstreams Commissioning Development Change Management
Procurement exercise aimed at finding the right awarding body(ies) to provide the new vocational qualifications.
Ensuring that qualifications contain the right content, enable progression and are assessed in the right ways.
Communicates with stakeholders and the public to develop confidence in the new qualifications.
Supports the effective implementation of the new qualifications.

6. School-based qualifications
New General Qualifications
Working with assessment expert on minimum requirements
WJEC to develop and deliver these new qualifications
School-based qualifications
A GCSE in Built Environment, offering learners a broad introduction to the built environment sector. The qualification will allow learners to develop their knowledge, craft skills and design skills, and encourage them to investigate their own built environment.
An A level in Built Environment that develops learners’ appreciation of the processes and techniques involved in designing, constructing, valuing and using the built environment, that enables clear progression into a range of HE courses (e.g. quantity surveying, site management, etc.).

7. GCSE GCSE Built Environment must enable learners to develop their:
Understanding of the different stages within the life-cycle of the built environment
Understanding of how different trades and services relate to each other
Appreciation of the built environment within their daily lives
Enquiry skills through exploration of the built environment
Skills in planning projects
Practical skills in designing and constructing
Understanding of tools, materials and processes.

8. GCSE Structure: Introduction to the Built Environment
Creating the Built Environment
Exploring the Built Environment.
Assessment:
On-screen assessment
NEA – Project
NEA – Investigation.

9. New Vocational Qualifications
Post-16 vocational qualifications in Building Services and in Construction
A cross-cutting, broad-based Foundation qualification offering experiences in at least two construction or building services trades.
A Progression qualification offering an optional second year in FE focused on trade skills (derived from NOS/OS) and employability skills.
An Apprenticeship qualification, where learners are supported by both employers and learning providers in developing skills and achieving occupational competence.

10. Construction and Built Environment Review
Post 16 Vocational Pathways

11. Foundation Qualification
The Foundation qualification will offer learners experiences of at least two trades, as well as wider content which is currently organised into these areas:
Building life-cycle
Emerging technologies
Primary trades in BS and Cons., and their interdependence
Traditional skills
Business and economics
Employment and career opportunities
Employability
Health and safety

12. Progression Qualifications
The Progression qualifications will offer learners the opportunity to continue to develop their skills in one of the trade(s) they studied in the Foundation Qualification or chose to start a new trade. Learners will also cover:
Self employment
Changes in practice over time
Sustainability
The knowledge elements (at L2) of the relevant NOS of that trade.

13. What will be in the Apprenticeship Frameworks?
Apprenticeship qualification
Foundation qualification
Essential Skills
Trade specific/health & safety tests where necessary
Employer sign-off of competence

14. Occupational competence
Workplace assessment
Before being entered for assessment, apprentices will compile evidence from the workplace against all of the relevant NOS, to the satisfaction of their employer. Their project will also be completed in the workplace and will provide further evidence against these standards.
Quality assurance
Workplace evidence (probably in an e-portfolio) for pre-entry sign-off will be quality assured by centres and the process reviewed by the awarding body as part of the requirements for centre registration.
Portability
Learners will be assessed against the relevant suite of National Occupational Standards, recognised across the UK.
Achieving occupational competence – Apprenticeship qualification
Occupational competence

15. Vocational Assessment
Each qualification shares a similar assessment model. Some elements may be taken at different points.
Component
Foundation
Progression
Apprenticeship
Practical project
Emphasising softer skills and trade skills from at least two trades.
Centre-devised assessment in the learner’s trade route.
Identified by learner, learning provider and employer against NOS.
On-screen assessment
An on-screen test of core knowledge.
Available for core trades with specialist trades to be added.
Available for core trades with specialist questions for other trades to be added.
Discussion
With a tutor/assessor.
Recorded; tests underpinning knowledge in relation to the project.
Discuss how project skills can apply in other contexts.
Presentation/oral test
May substitute specialist questions for more niche trades.

16. Commissioning Work: - Received outline bids in December 2018
- Currently in the dialogue phase with bidders
- Final bidding stage starts March 2019
- Review bids and award of contract in May 2019
- Contract starts 1 July 2019.
- Benefits of commissioning

17. Diolch
Thank You
Questions?