REPORT TO TRAINING SUB-COMMITTEE
MEETING ON TUESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 1998
SUBJECT
Previous Reference - Regeneration Committee - Minute 20 (1998/99)
This report gives details of NVQ irregularities in delivering NVQ's at Metrochange House. It also gives details on preliminary findings of investigations at other centres.
It then gives details of actions being taken to remedy the problems and to ensure that such problems cannot recur in the future.
Contact: Mick Binns Tel: 752689, Fax: 720513
Assistant Director: Richard Willoughby Tel: 753783, Fax: 754611
Report to Training Sub-Committee - 29 September 1998,
Previous Reference. Regeneration Committee Minute 20 (1998199)
A report to Regeneration Committee on 1 July 1998 outlined the situation at Metrochange House where certain irregularities regarding NVQ delivery had emerged.
It also gave brief details of investigations which were being carried out at 3 other training centres by Internal Auditors, Awarding Bodies and QCA.
It is the purpose of this report to give the latest available details of the position regarding the above investigations, their findings to date and the steps being taken to remedy the problems and ensure that such problems cannot recur in the- future.
The latest position at each of our training centres is as follows:-
We were informed on 20 August 1998 that LCCI were going to invalidate a further 31 certificates at Metrochange House, in addition to the 42 invalidated on 12 June 1998. They also told us that no further invalidations will be made at this centre.
All those affected by the invalidations have been contacted and 23 candidates have indicated that they wish to be reassessed and re-certificated for their NVQ.
These individuals are being given as much assistance and support as possible, and some of this work has been sub-contracted to Shipley College.
Many trainees have chosen not to resume their NVQ or have simply not responded when they have been told their NVQ has been invalidated. We have been informed by LCCI that response rates to letters of invalidation are normally very low.
New systems and procedures have been drawn up for all aspects of NVQ delivery, assessment and certification. These are based on QCA's 'Common Accord' which prescribes good practice in delivering NVQ'S.
Staff training has taken place and is ongoing.
We have applied to another Awarding Body, RSA, for approval to deliver their NVQ's and hope to have feedback in the next. few weeks.
In the meantime we have had a re-approval visit from LCCI who have reinstated our accreditation to assess and certificate trainees. This is subject to monthly visits and staff training from LCCI, which we welcome.
Note: The report to Regeneration Committee on 1 July 1998 detailed plans to close the training centre at Metrochange House and establish a new centre at Broomfield House, Boiling Road with a view to moving to new premises later in the year at West Riding House. Following this meeting, trainees at Metrochange House submitted a petition to management, requesting that they remain at Metrochange House. After further consultations it was agreed that the centre at Metrochange House would be re-vamped and re-established.
QCA have carried out investigations at 3 other centres, Bradford 1TeC, Mitre Court and Keighley Training Group.
They have reported to the various Awarding Bodies who award certificates at these centres who have carried out their own investigations.
Some problems have been found and certification is currently suspended at some centres, whilst assessment continues at all centres.
The latest position is as follows:-
Bradford 1TeC Edexcel (Information Technology)
temporary suspension on certification - assessment continuing.
Mitre Court CACHE (Childcare)
LCCI (Business Admin.)
RSA (Customer Service)
City and Guilds (Customer Service)
UODLE (Management)
- certification suspended, assessment continuing.
Keighley Training Group CACHE (Childcare)
LCCI (Business Admin)
- certification suspended, assessment continuing.
Note: QCA have not visited the Bradford Electronics Training Centre. The Awarding Body, EMTA, have indicated that they are happy with systems and procedures at the centre.
We await the reports from our Awarding Bodies, giving the results of their investigations. In the meantime we continue to liaise closely with them in developing our new systems and procedures.
In many cases, the Awarding Bodies had previously indicated that our systems and procedures were satisfactory. Indeed, we have some instances where excellent reports were received from external verifiers, but now, following QCA investigations, they have concerns.
The Internal Audit Section are continuing with their investigations.
Two managers have been seconded to develop new standard systems and procedures which are being implemented in all sections.
Training is ongoing and this will be a major task for the coming months.
Due to the current problems we have cancelled the scheduled ISO Audit which was due in October and have requested that our registration is not renewed until we are confident that our systems and procedures are more robust.
We intend to re-register sometime next year after having revised our systems to take into account the changes introduced as a result of NVQ irregularities. It is intended that registration will cover all provision within the Adult and Youth Training section.
It is still not possible to put a figure on the financial effect of these problems at present.
It is recommended that Members approve the action being taken, as follows:-
8.1 Continuing co-operation with QCA and Awarding Body investigations.
8.2 Introducing new systems and procedures in all sections.
8.3 Supporting all those who have had qualifications invalidated by portfolio building, reassessing and reinstating their qualifications.
M G Binns
Contract Services Manager
September 1998