20 October 1998
This report highlights the findings of the Training Needs Analysis sessions that took place at the Bradford City Council on Monday 5 October 1998. Gall Booth visited the BAIT Centre to meet the Assessor and Internal Verifiers for NVQ Administration and assess their training needs via questioning and discussion. This report is separated into the following 3 sections:
This section identifies our findings. Appendix One offers a record of the discussions on a person by person basis.
Our conclusion.
The recommendations that have come out of time spent with the the recommended training.
On a positive note LCCIEB are pleased to note that Bradford City Council Administration Training (BAIT) have recognised that positive action is needed to enable them to overcome the identified difficulties in assessment and internal verification of the NVQ Administration.
The Awarding Body area of concern relates to the understanding of the role of Assessors and Internal Verifiers and how we can enable them to conduct their duties with 'best practice'. All members of the assessment team expressed concern regarding the lack of understanding relating to their role, observation of candidates in the workplace and the reliance upon knowledge evidence to base a judgement of competence; none were able to describe good practice in the assessment process.
Please refer to Appendix One for the report based on the individual discussions with the team of Assessors and Internal Verifiers.
The Internal Verifiers interviewed were able to offer clear explanation of their roles, however, after discussion with the Assessors it became clear that the internal verification procedure does not support their case. The Internal Verifiers have also introduced further knowledge based evidence suggestions from Fastrack and this has ignored the requirement for observation of the candidate in the workplace as the main assessment method for the Administration award. Assessors also stated they received conflicting advice from the Internal Verifiers and the Centre Management.
The Assessors confirmed, without exception that assessment by observation of the candidate in the work place has not been carried out for a long time and at the time of this report is not yet planned to be done. The assessment practice relies heavily upon portfolio development and portfolio assessment, with the emphasis placed upon assessment of underpinning knowledge. One Assessor confirmed that the assessment of portfolios was carried out without the candidate present and with the Assessor having no knowledge of the candidates' workplace.
The Assessors have not been able to develop their own roles, some, who have been working towards qualifications have been unable to complete D33 or any other units towards competence as trainers and Assessors. The Assessors are frustrated that they have not been able to carry out assessment correctly. They are all aware that the Centre has a contract to deliver Modern Apprenticeships but all admit their knowledge of the Key Skill requirements for the framework has not been developed. One Assessor had been told it would not be assessed by the Administration Assessors. A number of Assessors lack competence in Information Technology, a requirement of the NVQ Administration Awards.
The Heinemann worksheets and question sheets were present in abundance but they are not signed or dated by Assessors. All Assessors refer to 'marking' the portfolios. A large amount of tasks or projects are used from the Fastrack and Heinemann books, very little evidence from the workplace. The authenticity of work products is in doubt and there is no evidence of observations, candidate knowledge and understanding cannot be confirmed from the performance.
The weaknesses identified as part of this training needs analysis confirm earlier findings from audit reports-that the standards and ethos of staff involved in the production of National Vocational Qualifications at BAIT would, if not addressed as a priority, seriously compromise the quality of training provided.
We are confident, however, that if the recommendations made in this report are adhered to then staff can be retrained to enable them to obtain the necessary levels of competence to support future qualifications.
The needs of the candidates must remain Ex priority during the forthcoming period, and those needs will be best addressed by Bradford Council giving them the training required to complete their qualifications with confidence.
LCCIEB recommend, working closely with the BAIT Centre, a number of corrective measures which will enable the Centre to move forward with 'best practice' in the future.
1. Training sessions for all members of the NVQ Administration assessment team.
(i) A review of the D Unit requirements for both Assessors and Internal Verifiers to identify good practice when carrying out assessment. This will achieve a two fold objective:
·a workshop to remind already qualified staff of the requirements of the standards.
·a workshop for unqualified staff to act as a starting point for the D Unit training.
(ii) Training and Development for those staff still to attain D Unit accreditation for D33 and 034 appropriately, leading to certification. '
(iii) Sufficiency of evidence and assessment requirements for NVQ Administration.
(iv) Integration of Key Skills for the Modem Apprenticeship, Administration.
2.·A one day Centre Co-ordinator training session to be held at the LCCIEB offices to become totally familiar with the roles and responsibilities of the Co-ordinator role. This will include sessions on appropriate LCCIEB paperwork and procedures.
3. A team of Assessor and Internal Verifiers from LCCIEB to work alongside and compliment the current assessment team for NVQ Administration, to demonstrate good practice and conduct an observation of your own assessment practices.
4. An overview to be given to all assessment team staff and Centre Management of the requirements of the Awarding Body, LCCIEB and the Common Accord.
5.·To enable and move forward with the above recommendations, an early meeting with Bradford City Council and LCCIEB for the development of a working partnership to encourage 'best practice' at the Centre.
6. Once the training is under way, monthly meetings should be held between Bradford City Council and representatives from the LCCIEB to discuss progress and evaluate when we feet that the team at the BAIT Centre are ready to operate with the minimum of support from the LCCIEB.
Please see attached Appendix 2 for a break down of the time commitment and costs to deliver the above recommendations.
A one day review of the D Unit requirements for both Assessors and Internal Verifier. To identify good practice when carrying out assessment - £595
A one day training workshop on sufficiency of evidence and the assessment
requirements for NVQ Administration - £595
A one day training workshop on the integration of Key Skills for the NVQ Administration Modem Apprenticeship - £595
A one day training workshop for the role of the Centre Co-ordinator - £350
A 1/2 day session giving an overview of the requirements of LCCIEB and the Common Accord - £200
Cost for the completion of Assessor and Verifier D Units leading to certification.
- £350, £350, £350, £350
LCCIEB to provide an experienced team of Assessor and Internal Verifiers as and when required:
1/2day session - £250
1 day session - £350
Sessions cancelled without 48 hours notice - £100
Progress meetings between LCCIEB and Bradford City Council
Cost per meeting - £150