1. Introducing AQA’s Technical and Vocational Qualifications
Presented by: [Raman Gurnani and Sarah Taylore]

2. AQA’s Technical and Vocational Qualifications
Level 2 Technical awards
Level 3 Tech-levels
Level 3 Applied Generals
Subject pages AQA-A-Z

3. What are Technical Awards?
Practical qualifications
Provide learners skills to prepare them for further study, apprenticeships and the workplace
Equivalent to 1 GCSE
Can be included in Progress 8 as part of the non-EBACC ‘open’ group

4. What are Tech-levels?
Vocational qualifications for year olds that – through a blend of knowledge and skills – offer learners a ‘clear line of sight’ into an occupational area or a specific occupation
Develop ‘technical’ opportunities – as opposed to broad vocational – at an earlier age
Bring clarity and rigour to vocational qualifications after years of fragmentation and false starts
Engage young people in career planning earlier on
Help employers by building a ‘pipeline’ of young people with the right skills
Encourage employer participation in delivery of skills and competency

5. What are Applied Generals?
Level 3 Qualifications with a broad study of a vocational area for year olds
Can be part of a learners study programme
Increased rigour that will ensure a level external assessment is applied
Support progression to higher education
Qualifications that will attract UCAS tariff
Qualifications that have gained the gained the support of Higher Education

6. AQA’s Level 2 Technical-Awards
Children’s Learning and Development
Fashion and Textiles
Food and Catering
Health and Social Care IT
Materials Technology
Performing Arts
Sport
STEM*
Visual Communication
Available for first teaching from September 2017
* Our STEM qualification will be available for first teaching from September 2018

7. AQA’s Level 3 Technical-levels
Business: Marketing (720 and 360 GLH)
Engineering: Mechatronic Engineering (720 and 360 GLH)
Engineering: Design Engineering (720 and 360 GLH)
IT: User Support (720 and 360 GLH)
IT: Networking (720 and 360 GLH)
IT: Programming (720 and 360 GLH)
IT: Cyber Security (360 GLH)
Games Art and Design (from Sept / 540 / 720 / 1080 GLH)

8. AQA’s Level 3-Applied Generals
Level 3 Applied Business and Applied Science
Certificate (180glh) and Extended Certificate 360 GLH)
Optionality ONLY at 360 GLH
Compensation applied within units
60 GLH sized units

9. What progression is there available to learners from Technical Awards?
Learners will be able to progress to ‘traditional’ A-levels as well as Tech-Levels and Applied General qualifications where applicable
Technical Award
Progression to: IT
Tech Levels in: IT
User Support
Networking
Cyber Security
Programming
Materials Technology
Tech Levels in:
Engineering
Foundation Engineering Design
Mechatronic Engineering
Visual Communication
Tech Levels in:
Entertainment Technology
Foundation Video Games and Mechanics
Video Games Art and Design

10. Technical Award
Progression to:
Health & Social Care
Applied General:
Science
STEM
Tech Levels in:
Engineering
Foundation Engineering Design
Mechatronic Engineering
Applied General:
Science

11. Why choose AQA for vocational qualifications?
Better assessment
We believe in clean and clear assessment. Our specimen papers show you our approach and give you an insight into our assessment strategy.
Better resources
Our unique and comprehensive resources give you everything you need to support your teaching of our new Technical Awards. Included are:
Schemes of work
Additional sample assessment materials
Exemplar materials
Mapping changes from the current specifications
Guidance on areas of concern and vocabulary
Other subject specific resources.
Better to work with
Our team is always on hand to answer your questions. We focus on building qualifications that allow students to demonstrate their ability and on giving you the support you need to ensure your students are as prepared as they can be.

12. Thank you for listening. Any questions?