1. iCQ – A view of funding changes and trailblazers
Andy Tait
18 November 2016

2. iCQ – an overview of who we are (now)
An Ofqual accredited RQF Awarding Organisation
Sectors include general business, finance, logistics, retail, service enterprises, hospitality, health and social care and more
Over 200 regulated qualifications
Most qualifications are funded

3. iLearner – an overview
iCQ’s integrated, browser-based learner and funding data management system

4. iLearner – key functions and tools
Manage learner evidence
Conduct external and Internal Quality Assurance (on line / real time)
Identify gaps in evidence
Record assessment activities, feedback and time
e-Portfolio
Learner Management
Track learner progress against target dates
Identify learners (and assessors) behind schedule
Complete all good practice documentation on screen (ILP, reviews, diagnostics, unit allocation)

5. iLearner – key functions and tools
On screen ILR and unique learner interview significantly reduces funding administration time
Manage multiple contracts and sub-contracts
Ensure SASE compliance
Funding Management
Map company L&D programmes to qualifications using iLearner
Add assessment activities and create learner workbooks
Mapping & Activities

6. Tailoring iLearner to our customers needs
iLearner can be ‘skinned’ to reflect our customers’ website styles
All users can login to iLearner via our customers’ website or intranet
Our customers can add additional fields to iLearner to record the data they need (and report on those fields)
iCQ certificates can include our customers’ logos

7. Transparent pricing
iCQ pricing recognises that funding is paid in instalments – so our prices are end loaded (supporting cash flow)
Our iLearner registration includes registration for as many qualifications as the learner needs - ever (supporting progression)
Certificates - pay on completion – for achievers only
When iCQ need to increase prices (not every year) – we generally give 12 months notice

8. Transparent pricing iLearner £20.00* Certificates Levels 1 – 3
Employability £10.00
Knowledge £22.00
Competence £38.00
Combined £60.00
iLearner £20.00*
Centre approval pa £500.00*
(includes iLearner training)
*+VAT

9. Transparent pricing iLearner £20.00* Certificates Levels 4 +
Employability £10.00
Knowledge £30.00
Competence £45.00
Combined £75.00
iLearner £20.00*
Centre approval pa £500.00*
(includes iLearner training)
*+VAT

10. Transparent pricing iLearner £20.00* Other Functions
Multiple Choice £0.00
Private Standards £0.00
Learning Content £0.00
Mapping, Activities £0.00
iLearner £20.00*
*+VAT

11. The future - trailblazer standards (TS)
TS will replace existing apprenticeship frameworks (by 2020?)
TS and Assessment Plans are written by employers and approved by BIS
TS are usually 2 pages long and include
Knowledge and understanding
Skills
Behaviours

12. Trailblazer standards (TS)
All TS include an independent end point assessment (EPA)
EPA must be conducted by an approved assessment organisation
Apprentices will be graded, where possible
Maths and English (Functional Skills or GCSE) a requirement
Minimum 12 months duration and a minimum 20% off-the-job training

13. A Trailblazer standard
Extract from Hospitality Team Member

14. Assessment Plan
Process for Hospitality Team Member Activities can be completed in any order as long as professional discussion is last
90 minutes
Multiple choice questions
On demand test
3 hours
Working in own department covering range of skills expected for the role
Practical observation
Research an issue / opportunity to improve the department – e.g. way of working, respond to customer feedback
Present findings and recommendation
Project and presentation
Structured discussion
Apprentice, Employer and Assessor
Brings the assessment phase to a close
Professional discussion

15. Trailblazers
Existing frameworks are being phased out and replaced by TS
This should be completed by 2020?
We have –
Trailblazer standards
Trailblazer assessment plans
Approved standards are available at standards-ready-for-delivery
Qualifications are generally not included in the new apprenticeships

16. Trailblazer delivery
EPA must be conducted by an approved assessment organisation
Providers can contract with employers to deliver training
Providers cannot deliver training and EAP to the same employer
Employers can be providers or an assessment organisation (Providers will also provide assessment and support to apprentices on an ongoing basis)

17. Employer levy 2% of employers will pay the levy
Levy collected from April 2017
Levy collected by HMRC through PAYE
Source: Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS

18. Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) will manage the levy
Top up
Government
Training Provider
Employer
Receive training for apprentice
Claim funding from SFA
The objectives: Employer control and simplicity
The objectives: Training provider provides assurance and management / forecasting information
The objectives: Get the machinery right to provide a quality service while protecting public purse
“Double lock”
HMRC collect levy (PAYE)
Employ Apprentice
Offer apprenticeship training
Price agreed with employer
Timely data on training
Pay for training with account balance
Employer has online account
Provide training to apprentice
Check training to employer account
Pay provider
Register with SFA (Ofsted)
Employer and Provider Identity Assurance
Pass data on levy payments from HMRC to BIS
Unused balance expires
Source: Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS

19. How TS and the levy (should) work
Providers must be on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers
Providers will have contracts with employers and ancillary agreement with SFA
Employer contribution from levy or co-investment for non-levy payers
Provider payments released by ‘double lock’ – employer commitment / monthly data return
Source: Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS

20. iCQ – an overview of our (trailblazer) future
iCQ will be an End Point Assessment Organisation for trailblazer apprenticeship standards
iCQ will support training providers collect data (required for SfA) and manage the apprentices learning journey using iLearner

21. The iCQ trailblazer solution
Pre-delivery
Learner diagnostics
Learner journey
Learner management
End Point Assessment

22. Pre-learning delivery
Map large employer programmes to the standard(s)
Review mapping with iCQ
iCQ add mapping to iLearner

23. Learner diagnostics – using iLearner
Skills Scan – to identify strengths / weaknesses
Diagnostic tests (multiple choice) as appropriate

24. Learner journey – using iLearner
Add learning resources
Add milestone assessment activities
Set-up bespoke multiple choice tests for employers

25. Learner management – using iLearner
Manage trainers and learner reviews
Manage funding returns to SfA
Schedule / record gateway and EPA planning meetings

26. End point assessment – delivered and recorded on iLearner
Multiple choice test / portfolio
PD, project, observation, other - recorded by assessor
Internal quality assurance and grading

27. The iCQ complete solution
Pre-delivery
Learner diagnostics
Learner journey
Learner management
End Point Assessment

28. Any questions?
And thank you for your time