Stirling Wood Programme Leader (Networks), QCA

Level of qualificationGeneralqualificationVocationalqualificationOccupationalqualification Higher level qualifications A Level GCSE grades A*-C GCSE grades D-G Advanced GNVQ; AVCE Intermediate GNVQ; Vocational GCSE grades A*- C Foundation GNVQ; Vocational GCSE grades D-G Entry level qualifications 54321EntryLevel NVQ National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

Vocational IT Qualifications Vocationally-related qualifications (VRQs)Vocationally-related qualifications (VRQs) NVQsNVQs GNVQs ?GNVQs ? Applied GCSEs ?Applied GCSEs ? AVCEs ?AVCEs ?

IT VRQs (1) IT UsersIT Users –the vast majority of us who use IT on a day-to-day basis; IT PractitionersIT Practitioners –people who work in the IT industries; –people who have an IT role in a non-IT company; –people wishing to progress to this work.

Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Level 4 IT User IT Practitioner SoftwareDevelopment ICT Systems Support General IT VRQs (2) managing ICT systems development, software specifications and supporting ICT acquisition advanced skills such as investigating requirements, creating designs for software and creating software introduction to skills such as creating software and testing software systems developing methodologies for operating ICT systems, managing ICT systems installation advanced skills such as service delivery, hardware systems installation and customer support introduction to skills such as maintaining equipment and customer support management of non- specialist IT Practitioner skills and processes advanced non-specialist IT Practitioner skills introduction to non- specialist IT Practitioner skills advanced application of IT user techniques working across IT user applications introduction to basic IT user skills

IT User VRQs Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Techniques Application of techniques Greater degree of multi-application skills and application of those skills.

NQF Levels 2-4;NQF Levels 2-4; 3 strands3 strands –General; –ICT Systems Support; –Software Development; Each strand at each level has stated content derived from National Occupational Standards/SFIA;Each strand at each level has stated content derived from National Occupational Standards/SFIA; Mandatory component parts in ICT Systems Support and Software Development;Mandatory component parts in ICT Systems Support and Software Development; Other content left to the awarding bodies’ discretion;Other content left to the awarding bodies’ discretion; 8 soft skills identified to be included at each level.8 soft skills identified to be included at each level. IT Practitioner VRQs

Working with vendorsWorking with awarding bodiesWorking with vendorsWorking with awarding bodies –CiscoOCR –Microsoft City & Guilds –OracleEdexcel –CompTIA –Certiport –Macromedia IT VRQs & Vendor Awards

Where we are now? Currently there areCurrently there are – 15 IT User qualifications at Levels 1-3; – 20 IT Practitioner qualifications at Levels 2&3; 5 IT User qualifications aligned with vendor awards;5 IT User qualifications aligned with vendor awards; 2 IT Practitioner qualifications aligned with vendor qualifications, but more to come…2 IT Practitioner qualifications aligned with vendor qualifications, but more to come…

IT NVQs (1) Occupational qualifications that attest to an individuals competence in a specific occupation or job role;Occupational qualifications that attest to an individuals competence in a specific occupation or job role; Work-based as opposed to centre-based;Work-based as opposed to centre-based; Rooted in National Occupational Standards (NOS);Rooted in National Occupational Standards (NOS); Contract with the SSC for the sector - e-Skills UKContract with the SSC for the sector - e-Skills UK Underway - ‘creative and innovative’;Underway - ‘creative and innovative’; Supported this approach;Supported this approach; Approval of NOS will pave the way for awarding bodies to deliver a new type of NVQ;Approval of NOS will pave the way for awarding bodies to deliver a new type of NVQ;

IT NVQs (2) More flexible;More flexible; ‘Invisible’ assessment process;‘Invisible’ assessment process; e-Portfoliose-Portfolios Easier accreditation of prior achievement;Easier accreditation of prior achievement; Drive up demand;Drive up demand; New way of working for all.New way of working for all.

e-Assessment / e-Tools (1) Currently most IT awarding bodies use a form of e- assessment in IT VRQs;Currently most IT awarding bodies use a form of e- assessment in IT VRQs; Types of e-assessment in useTypes of e-assessment in use –Objective testing (adaptive and linear); –Task-based testing; –Diagnostic and self-assessment tools; e-Portfolios.e-Portfolios.

e-Assessment / e-Tools (2) For the future we’re actively looking atFor the future we’re actively looking at –e-Portfolios; –Scenario based e-assessment; –E-diagnostic/self assessment tools; –Working with vendors and e-assessment providers to drive the process of change for workforce development.

The Future (1)… Monitor the effectiveness of all IT qualifications;Monitor the effectiveness of all IT qualifications; Continue to work withContinue to work with –awarding bodies; –employers; –SSCs –Providers (both FE and schools); –e-Assessment/e-Portfolio providers; –Vendors.

The Future (2)… Continue to bridge the academic/vocational divide byContinue to bridge the academic/vocational divide by –Providing a clear roadmap for qualifications; –Develop a set of unified standards for National Curriculum and vocational qualifications that enable users to map across

The Future (3)…