REPORT TO TRAINING SUB-COMMITTEE
MEETING ON WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 1999
SUBJECT
SUMMARY STATEMENT
This report informs Members about the current situation in relation to the Divisions NVQ Training Centres and progress being made to ensure that training delivery is in accordance with the, requirements of the Common Accord.
Contact: Gillian Simpson-Morris Tel: 754654, Fax: 752516
Assistant Director: Richard Willoughby Tel: 753783, Fax:720513
REPORT TO TRAINING SUB-COMMITTEE ON 10 FEBRUARY 1999 ON PROGRESS MADE TO ENSURE THAT NVQ TRAINING IS DELIVERED IN LINE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMON ACCORD AND THE CURRENT POSITION REGARDING CENTRE RE-APPROVAL.
A report to the Training Sub-Committee on 29 September 1998 outlined the details of actions being taken to remedy the situation regarding NVQ delivery in the Adult and Youth Training Section.
It is the purpose of this report to provide details of the progress being made to reapprove NVQ awards in our training centres.
Following the introduction of the new procedures, the training delivered in those procedures to all staff and all the work undertaken to improve service provision, Bradford ITeC received written confirmation on the 7 January 1999 from the Awarding Body EDEXEL that centre approval to assess and internally verify the BTEC qualifications has been reinstated.
A quality monitoring visit, which will be conducted by the NVQ Co-ordinator and our internal quality audit section, has been scheduled to take place during week commencing 25 January 1999. This is to ensure that training delivery meets the national standards.
In conjunction with LCCI staff, Business Administration qualifications are now being delivered, and are able to be assessed, and internally verified. It is anticipated that the support from LCCI will be in place until the end of February, after which the Centre will once again be operational in it's own right.
Keighley Training Group received confirmation from the Awarding Body QFI that centre approval to assess the Animal Care qualification is now in place. To ensure compliance with National Standards we recruited the services of a part time Internal Verifier from QFI to verify assessments. This is until such time as our existing Assessor/Trainer has received the D34 certificate.
To re-establish centre approval, we have recruited the services of a part time Internal Verifier and a full time Assessor who have been approved by the Awarding Body. it is anticipated therefore that centre approval will be reinstated in February 1999.
In conjunction with LCCI staff, Business Administration qualifications are now being delivered, and are able to be assessed, and internally verified. It is anticipated that the support from LCCI will be in place until the end of February, after which the Centre will once again be operational in it's own right.
This award is delivered in partnership with the Recreation Division and we are working with them to re-arrange the training delivery mechanisms. It is hoped that this will ensure the continuity of training whilst meeting the Awarding Body specifications.
It is anticipated that external support will be needed and we are currently in discussion with the Awarding Body as to the exact nature of that support.
The staff who were training toward the D32, D33 and D34 qualification prior to the QCA investigation have been transferred to various Training Providers within the district to complete the Award.
We are still awaiting a report from City & Guilds following their assessment of the portfolios sequestrated by QCA. City & Guilds visited Mitre Court on Tuesday 12 January and stated that their aim was to confirm that candidates who have a valid entitlement to certification are not penalised by any previous failings of the Centre's administration and assessment processes.
In order to ensure compliance with these specifications, a series of one to one consultations with relevant staff was requested by City & Guilds and these will be completed by 2 February 1999. It is to be anticipated that these measures will satisfy Awarding Body Criteria.
City & Guilds also approved the systems and procedures now in place as well as the additional training that had been provided to the staff.
Job Descriptions and Specifications have been drafted in relation to the roles of Assessors and Internal Verifiers. They have been drawn up to reflect Awarding Body and National Standards as well as the specific occupational area.
All portfolios sequestrated by QCA were returned to the Internal Audit Section on 18 January 1999.
The process of returning portfolios to candidates is under way, and maximum efforts to resume assessment and internal verification are being made to minimise disruption for trainees. The investigation by Internal Audit is continuing.
It is not possible to put a definite figure on the financial effect of these problems at present. However, every effort is being made to ensure that any potential shortfall is kept to a minimum. In the meantime, G-order books have been recalled, and expenditure has been kept to an absolute minimum.
Equal Rights underpins all of the services described in this report as they aim to address the training needs of every individual participating on the various programmes.
It is anticipated that in order to deliver NVQ's in line with the new procedures, there will be a need to critically examine the future staffing requirements of the Section. Discussions are currently taking place with the TEC to determine the level of funding which will be attached to our contract for the next financial year. We will review our provision accordingly.
We are currently having regular discussions with the Trade Unions who will be fully consulted on any future proposals which may involve changes to the roles and responsibilities of staff or staffing levels.
None.
That Members approve the action that has been and continues to be taken regarding the delivery of NVQ's and note the progress made in relation to reapproving NVQ awards.