A Review of Adult Vocational Qualifications in England
The review of Adult Vocational Qualifications involves analysing the current system for vocational qualifications
in England. It aims to identify areas that require improvement and to make recommendations for reform and
to build on and celebrate what works.
The review of adult vocational qualifications aims to:
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Implement changes which will ensure that adult vocational qualifications are valuable and worthwhile
investments
enable individuals to progress in their careers
enable employers to grow their businesses and improve their competitiveness
make the use of the current QCF unit template non-mandatory and enable the easier restricting of
units
provide employers with information on the impact of qualifications on the progression of individuals
from both Awarding Organisations and training providers
create a database of qualifications presented in non-technical language
ensure that regulatory, inspection and funding requirements do not deter the use of technology in the
delivery and assessment of vocational qualifications
ensure the relevancy of vocational qualifications to the needs of employers of all sizes
introduce a grading system for vocational qualifications, ie ‘pass, merit, distinction’
In the future employer led Apprenticeships will:
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be based on standards designed by employers
need to meet professional registration requirements wherever possible.
replace the current frameworks which will be short and easy to understand
describe the level of skill, knowledge and competency required to achieve mastery of a specific
occupation
be able to operate confidently in the sector
need to meet the skills requirements of small businesses and be simple for them to access
Changes to Apprenticeships will involve:
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rigorous independent assessment, focused primarily on testing the competence of the learner at the
end of their Apprenticeship
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assessment of the Apprentice against relevant standards
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employers who will have a key role in developing a high level assessment approach
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a single approach to assessment against the standards
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assessment that is delivered largely at the end by an independent third party.
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a synoptic element to the end-point assessment
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being graded – with a pass, merit or distinction
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passing every aspect of their assessment in order to be successful, but not every aspect will need to be
graded for completion
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all Apprentices will be required to last at least 12 months with no exceptions
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off-the-job training which will continue to be a requirement of all Apprenticeships
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English and maths requirements that will be stepped up gradually
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off-the-job training which will be mandated with a minimum of 20% or equivalent, which is a change
from the current 30%
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the requirements for the advanced and higher apprenticeships to be achieved in Level 2 English and
maths, prior to taking the apprenticeship end test.
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New Apprenticeships - Trailblazers
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Trailblazers in a range of sectors will develop new Apprenticeship standards and the high-level
assessment approaches that sit alongside them.
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Leading employers and professional bodies in eight sectors have already signed up to lead Trailblazer
projects and “Guidance for Trailblazers” has been published.
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The Trailblazers will provide clear examples of effective practice and approaches which others can
build on.
Timescales
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Full implementation of the reforms will occur during 2015/16 and 2016/17 and all of these will be
based on the new standards by 2017/18.
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As the new standards are developed and agreed, funding Apprenticeships under current frameworks
will stop.
Implications for other Key Stakeholders
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Awarding Organisations should require training providers to engage with employers from relevant
sectors directly in the design and development of vocational qualifications
Training providers should bring in employers to support curriculum design and delivery
All key stakeholders must work together collectively and collaborate as industrial partnerships
Implications for the future model of occupational standards
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Employer-led collaborations or industrial partnerships of employers will set occupational standards
where they do not exist already
Industry will be free to define standards without the current levels of prescription
In England occupational standards will be the same for adult vocational qualifications, Apprenticeships
and Tech Levels
Implications for Ofqual and vocational qualification design
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Ofqual should introduce proposed new design principles which give vocational qualifications a clear
identity and should make the prescribed unit format and sharing of units optional.
New design principles will give vocational qualifications a clear identity which will apply to vocational
qualifications supporting initial or continuing vocational education and training
Ofqual should require awarding organisations to engage actively with employers in sectors where they
provide vocational qualifications
Final Recommendations include:
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the need for a partnership approach which includes connections between:
o employers and unions
o well regulated awarding organisations
o flexible training providers
the stepping back of Government and its agencies so that employers can take end-to-end
responsibility, and greater ownership, of skills in their sector
better employer involvement with awarding organisations and providers
a focus on outcomes for more flexibility
new design principles for qualifications
mandatory reporting on progression
joined-up qualifications databases
incentivised use of technology
better employer input through industrial partnerships
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