1. Gareth Downey – Senior Manager Vocational Qualifications
Uwch Reolwr Cymwysterau Galwedigaethol

2. I will…
Provide an overview of the findings of Qualifications Wales’ ICT sector review, including:
What we did
What we found
What we will do

3. Digital sector in context
Fast pace of change
Technological change happens overnight
Removal of GCSE and A Level ICT in England
Over 200 qualifications available in the sector
Almost 20,000 qualification certificates awarded in 2016/17

4. Review methodology Learner engagement Stakeholder engagement
Technical review
International comparison
Sector advisors
Stakeholder panel

5. Our findings…

6. Employers’ perspective
Employers knew little about qualifications other than degrees and general qualifications taken in schools
Qualifications taken at are used primarily for progression to higher education rather than for entering employment
Employers often recruit those with degrees and value skills, aptitude and experience more than qualifications
Most employers have not yet employed ICT apprentices but were open to employing in the future

7. Range of qualifications available
Strong view from schools about the importance of ICT and Computer Science qualifications
ICT teachers in schools were very keen to retain the GCSE and GCE AS/A Level brands
Digital Competence Framework and digital literacy in Skills Challenge Certificate do not currently go far enough to replace ICT
ICT is considered an outdated term

8. Content of qualifications in the sector
Fast pace of change leads to qualifications in the sector becoming quickly outdated
Strong view from learning providers that the content of many qualifications has become outdated
Technical review identified outdated content (including GCSE ICT, A Level ICT and vocational ICT qualifications)
Content of newer qualifications is more up-to-date and relevant to the digital industry

9. Assessment
Relevance of written evidence for practical tasks
Widespread use of screenshots
Some examples of inaccurate and/or inconsistent assessment
Challenges of accessing Welsh-medium digital resources
More innovative, relevant and engaging methods needed

10. High number of non-specialist ICT teachers The importance of CPD
Teaching resources
High number of non-specialist ICT teachers
The importance of CPD
Perceived reduction in CPD offered by awarding bodies
Range of learner skills, abilities and experience
Outdated hardware and software in learning providers
Financial constraints

11. Short term actions

12. Longer term actions
Invite awarding bodies to develop a new broad-based GCSE Digital Technology qualification with the aim of first teaching in September 2021.
Invite awarding bodies to develop a new GCE AS/A Level Digital Technology qualification with the aim of first teaching in September 2022.

13. Digital Competence Framework
Digital Literacy in the Welsh Baccalaureate
Digital Technology
Computer Science

14. Longer term actions
Continue to liaise with the Department for Education in England, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Welsh Government with the aim of ensuring that the new technical qualifications, developed for use in the Digital Route T Levels in England, are available to be taken by learners in Wales.
Review any ICT-related qualifications which awarding bodies submit for new or extended designation to ensure that qualifications are up-to-date and include current and relevant digital content.

15. Longer term actions
Monitor the new vocational ICT qualifications, developed to meet the requirements of the Tech Partnership for use in new apprenticeship frameworks, to determine their effectiveness in meeting the needs of learners and employers in Wales.

16. We believe that our actions could make a real and positive difference to the digital sector in Wales.

17. Thank you