Phase 1: Tests and Trials

Background to reform

In November 2005, ministers agreed the establishment of a Programme Board to oversee vocational qualifications reform by bringing together key strands of work across the UK .

Framework development forms a key strand within the Vocational Qualification Reform Programme. The overall aim of this strand is to develop a jointly regulated credit and qualifications framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland .

Over the next two years there is agreement across the three regulators (QCA, DELLS, CCEA) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to test and trial the mechanisms and processes needed to revise the current National Qualifications Framework and provide advice and recommendations to ministers with a view to establishing and enabling a regulated credit and qualifications framework.

 

The first phase of tests and trials

The first phase of a carefully controlled two-year testing and trialling period of the QCF has begun.

On 6 April the regulatory authorities invited organisations to submit proposals for projects to be undertaken in the first stage of the tests and trials. A working specification and prospectus was published to help organisations submitting proposals understand the process. These can be accessed from this page.

The regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) have selected the projects they would like to be taken forward as part of the first phase of the tests and trials.

Further details of the projects involved in the first phase of the tests and trials are available here.

 

Objectives of the tests and trials

The objectives of the framework tests and trials are:

• to develop and test an operational model of the framework with stakeholders
• to evaluate whether a unit-based system underpinned by credit can support a range of qualifications and learning programmes across sectors, learning and training contexts and awarding bodies
• to evaluate whether a fully functioning credit system can support and improve learner progression and achievement
• to evaluate whether potential benefits (including flexibility, inclusiveness, simplicity and reduced bureaucracy) can be delivered through the framework
• to evaluate through the trials in England whether the development of the framework can contribute to the LSC’s strategic priorities and targets for publicly funded qualifications eg contributing to adult Public Service Agreement targets such as offender learning provision and level 2 provision.

 

Regulatory arrangements for the tests and trials

The regulatory arrangements for the QCF tests and trials will be based on the existing regulatory criteria for awarding bodies’ procedures and qualifications, as published in The statutory regulation of external qualifications in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland QCA (2004).

Basing the QCF tests and trials on the existing criteria ensures that public confidence is maintained and that learners, providers and end-users can be confident that provision available during the test and trial phase is of high quality, is transparent and is readily understood and valued.

The regulators recognise that the existing criteria were not written to support a unit-based qualifications framework underpinned by a credit accumulation and transfer system. For example, there may be instances where criteria relating to assessment and
quality assurance arrangements need to be interpreted differently or need to be suspended to fully test and trial the proposed flexibilities and inclusiveness of the QCF.

The working specification for the framework tests and trials (pages 7–9) contains further details of the regulatory arrangements for the tests and trials of the framework.

 

Accrediting qualifications for the tests and trials

All awarding bodies submitting units to the unit databank and qualifications for accreditation during the framework trials will be required to use The working specification for framework tests and trials and meet the critieria in The statutory regulation of external qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (2004). In addition all awarding bodies participating in the trials are required to have access to the regulatory authorities 5-day accreditation process. Awarding bodies will submit the required information to the regulatory authorities via the modified web-based accreditation application.

Qualifications will be accredited in accordance with these regulatory criteria. They will be submitted for accreditation via the web-based accreditation (WBA) system. A user guide for the WBA application will be available to download from the WBA website in October when the system goes live.

The period of accreditation for qualifications will be limited to the to the duration of the tests and trials.

The regulators will develop a post-accreditation monitoring plan to monitor a sample of qualifications included in the trials. Evidence from the monitoring activities will feed into the overall evaluation of the test and trial phase and the development of new regulatory criteria and supporting guidance.

 

Downloadable files

Test and trial prospectus - framework development (version 1)PDF, 176K

Working specification for frameworkPDF, 130K

Test and trial information sheet PDF, 87K

Annex2: Test and trial proposals pro forma PDF, 3.28MB

QCF tests and trials - Phase 1 project summaries PDF, 79K

 

Phase 2: Tests and Trials

Earlier this year the regulatory authorities invited organisations to submit proposals for projects to be undertaken in the first phase of the tests and trials. The regulators published a working specification and prospectus to help organisations submitting proposals understand the process. Those phase 1 projects are now underway and will provide important information about, and help evaluate, the proposed features of a credit- and qualifications-based framework.

The regulators for England , Wales and Northern Ireland , together with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), have now started the process of identifying projects for phase 2 of the tests and trials. The phase 2 projects will complement those from phase 1 by focusing on areas where additional information is needed. This will provide a robust analysis of the framework specification by ensuring that a wide range of sectors, organisations and learning is tested and trialled.

If you are considering submitting a proposal for phase 2 of the QCF tests and trials you may find the information below useful.

 

Contents of the phase 2 test and trial pack

Before beginning the process of completing your pro forma you should check that you have the documents listed below. You will need to refer across all of them to inform the development of your project submission.

QCF: Phase 2 test and trial prospectus(PDF)

The prospectus sets out the requirements for those organisations wishing to take part in test and trials for phase 2 from February 2007 to July 2008. The prospectus contains information on the specific projects that are needed for phase 2. These will be centred around the following themes:

• the reform of qualifications in a sector or sub sector
• the inclusion of in-company training schemes
• achievements leading to professional recognition
• achievements in the voluntary and community sector.

The prospectus also contains details on:

• the priorities for phase 2 trials
• arrangements for public funding in England , Wales , and Northern Ireland
• common requirements for all project submissions
• regulatory requirements for phase 2 of the tests and trials (unchanged from phase 1).

QCF: Phase 2 test and trial submission pro forma(Word)

All organisations must use the pro forma provided. Submissions received in alternative formats will not be considered in this selection process. All organisations will have to agree to meet the requirements and responsibilities identified in the pro forma.

The working specification(PDF)

The working specification describes the proposed features of a unit-based qualifications framework, underpinned by a credit accumulation and transfer system, for the purposes of tests and trialling from 2006 to 2008. It also provides information on the regulatory arrangements that will underpin the trials. This document remains unchanged from phase 1.

 

Submission of completed proposals and deadline

Organisations in England , Wales and Northern Ireland should submit completed pro formas to the email address frameworktestsandtrials@qca.org.uk by Wednesday 13 December, 2006 .

Any queries about the process and the documentation should be emailed to the framework email address above before you submit your project. It will not be possible to respond to any queries received after Friday 8 December, 2006 .

Sector bodies wishing to take part in phase 2 should contact the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) before completing submission.

Awarding bodies that wish to submit a proposal, but do not meet the requirements for testing and trialling must email frameworktestsandtrials@qca.org.uk for advice on how to proceed.

 

Timeline for selection process

The timeline is outlined below:

• Phase 2 prospectus published on the regulator's websites and circulated via email: Friday 27 October 2006
• Deadline for submissions: Wednesday 13 December 2006
• Submissions reviewed: mid-December to early January 2007
• Projects selected, applicants notified and contracts issued and signed:
  late January / early February 2007

 

Reforming Qualifications & Promoting Learning for the 21st Century PDF, 117K. Consultation Booklet

Equality Impact AssessmentPDF, 105K. Report on Consultation on the development of a new framework for achievement

Support

A number of documents have been produced to support those involved in the tests and trials. They include:

• The working specification
• level descriptors
• level descriptors guidance
• unit guidelines
• rules of combination guidance
• web-based accreditation user manual.

 

The working specification

The working specification describes the proposed features of a unit-based qualifications framework, underpinned by a credit accumulation and transfer system, for the purposes of tests and trialling from 2006 to 2008. It also provides information on the regulatory arrangements that will underpin the trials.

Working specificationPDF, 811K

Level descriptors and guidance

The regulatory partners (QCA, CCEA and DELLS) have completed a project to produce a set of level descriptors for the framework tests and trials. The descriptors, which build on those produced for NICATS, and on examples from around the world, have been developed so they can be applied across a range of learning contexts. They are supported by a guidance document. Both the descriptors and the guidance will be evaluated at the end of the tests and trials.

Guidance for using unit level descriptorsPDF, 272

Level descriptors for positioning unitsPDF, 265

Unit guidelines

Unit guidelines have been produced for the tests and trials. The guidelines were developed through a process of consultation and were overseen by a working group. They will support the unit developers in the process of writing units of assessment.

Guidelines for writing units of assessmentPDF, 629K

Rules of combination guidance

The rules of combination guidance has been produced in consultation with participants in the tests and trials. This guidance will support the unit developers in the process of writing units of assessment.

Guidance for developing rules of combinationPDF, 355K

Web-based accreditation user guide

QCA's web-based accreditation (WBA) application has been modified for the tests and trials. It will enable awarding bodies to submit framework data for accreditation units, qualifications and rules of combination. These developments include the introduction of a rules of combination validation engine.

Web-based accreditation user's guide PDF, 2.14MB