SKILLS ACTIVE
2014 EXTERNAL MODERATION PLAN
Introduction
Under the Industry Training Act 1992, Skills Active is responsible for monitoring the quality of
training and assessment. All Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) and Schools who have
consent to assess against Skills Active’s managed unit standards have a commitment to maintain
quality management systems, which includes participating in moderation processes for their
assessment materials and assessed work.
Moderation is the process of ensuring that assessment practices are valid, consistent and fair, and
at the national standard. Ultimately we are looking to ensure that TEOs and Schools are making
consistent and reliable judgements about candidates’ assessed work. This is achieved through
having an effective external moderation system.
Moderation requirements are set out in the following Consent and Moderation Requirements
(CMR) documents.
 Ref: 0099 – for Community Recreation, Environment, Outdoor Recreation and Nga Mahi a
te Rehia, Snowsport, Sport, Fitness, and Diving
 Ref: 0102 – for Outdoor Recreation and Nga Mahi a te Rehia
 Ref: 0180 – for Diving
 Ref: 0069 – for Fitness
This document outlines Skills Active’s plan for national external moderation for the 2014 calendar
year. The system enables moderation to be pro-active and timely, and provides an opportunity
for Skills Active Aotearoa moderators to assist organisations whose assessments may not have
met national standards.
The key principles that underpin our external moderation programme are:
 Support assessment that is fair, valid and consistent
 Support ‘best practice’ assessment, which includes using an integrated approach to
assessment, based around an evidence collection model
 Protect the integrity of the industry sector qualifications
 Recognise the intellectual property rights of those submitting information and ensure total
confidentiality and security of all submissions
Components of Skills Active External Moderation System
There are two components to the Skills Active external moderation system:
 Pre-assessment moderation
 Post-assessment moderation
Pre-assessment moderation
All assessment material being used for Skills Active managed unit standards must be moderated
prior to use. There are two options available with regards to the use of assessment material:
Skills Active – National External Moderation Plan – March 2014
1
1) TEOs and Schools can purchase Skills Active Aotearoa assessment resources, thereby
reducing the need for pre-assessment moderation. More information on this can be
found in our Resource Catalogue here on our website.
2) TEOs and Schools not using Skills Active pre-moderated assessment resources must
submit their assessment materials to Skills Active for pre-assessment moderation, prior to
use. Charges apply for pre-assessment moderation and are noted in the relevant Skills
Active Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR).
Post- assessment moderation
Skills Active completes post-assessment moderation quarterly as per the CMR. The frequency of
moderation will depend on the credit reporting activity and the previous moderation outcomes.
The selection of unit standards for post-assessment moderation will be informed by:
 unit standards that are to be assessed for the first time
 unit standards that have been reviewed in the last twelve months
 a spread of domains, levels and high use unit standards
 unit standards that have a potential health and safety risk
 any industry concerns
The post-assessment moderation will be conducted using Postal Moderation as outlined below:






Skills Active will request, in writing, samples of materials from TEOs and Schools who have
conducted assessments
The requested samples will be identified from assessment results reported to NZQA
TEOs and Schools will have three (3) weeks to supply the requested assessment samples to
Skills Active Wellington Office
Assessment samples will be moderated by Skills Active Moderators and a moderation report
completed
Moderation reports and assessment materials will be returned to the TEO or School
Where significant issues are identified during moderation, the moderator may contact the TEO
or School to discuss these before completing their report
Non-compliance with Moderation requirements
Where non-compliance is identified, the moderator will make contact with the organisation and
provide in writing the action required and related timeframe.
A site visit may be required to provide assistance to remedy the non-compliance or complete
additional on-site practical moderation.
Appeals
Skills Active Aotearoa has in place an appeals process for situation where differences concerning
moderation decisions cannot be resolved in the first instance.
The appeals process requires the TEO or School to contact Skills Active to review the moderation
decision and work towards a resolution.
For more information contact Skills Active at info@skilsactive.org.nz or 0508 475 4557.
Skills Active – National External Moderation Plan – March 2014
2