Smelting apprenticeship gold: the alchemy of EQA

To avoid a conflict of interest, it would seem logical for Ofqual to take over external quality assurance for the Institute for Apprenticeships, but this would put off many organisations wanting to offer end-point assessment, says Simon Martin

Apprenticeship standards are intended to drive forward the workforce skills that UK employers have identified for competitiveness in the world economy. Yet many standards do not include any technical or vocational qualifications to benchmark the skills, knowledge and behaviours to be acquired by the apprentice, and even where they do, successfully passing the standard relies on passing the end-point assessment.

This means the robustness of EPA, and the quality assurance needed to underwrite that robustness, is a fundamental requirement for instilling confidence in the reliability of the new standards. But this remains highly questionable, given the fragmented approach that is emerging towards external quality assurance of EPA.

At the Annual Apprenticeships Conference in March, Peter Lauener, Shadow Chief Executive of the Institute for Apprenticeships, openly reiterated in a plenary session that the Institute’s primary function was to drive apprenticeship quality through its role as the regulator of standards and Assessment Plans. He added that one of the three key features of the new apprenticeship system was external quality assurance of EPAs; indeed, that IfA itself would ‘establish an approach to Institute-led external quality assurance’.

It is far from clear how this is materialising

It is far from clear, however, how this is materialising in a market where the employer groups themselves are choosing one of five different EQA organisation types, and moreover where one of these is the Institute itself, alongside the Quality Assurance Agency, Ofqual, professional bodies, and employer-led approaches.

Furthermore, in a workshop at the conference, Mike Keoghan, Deputy Chief Executive of the IfA, reported that a key area of concern arising from the sector consultation on the IfA was its role in ‘ensuring reliability and consistency of assessments with EQA organisations and the Institute’s role in quality assurance’.

There is, therefore, a core issue that needs to be resolved rapidly if the new apprenticeships are to be accepted as the professional and industrial Gold Standard that is hoped for.

At the conference Mr Keoghan described the Institute as the ‘back stop on quality’. This implies, and it would be reasonable to assume, that the Institute will therefore be the ultimate adjudicator across the mixed approach to EQA (there are already nearly 25 different EQA organisations). Yet the Institute itself is already being chosen by the standards development groups as the most popular EQA route, despite it supposedly being a ‘last resort’ option only. It is even more popular than the official qualifications regulator Ofqual.

There is manifestly a potential conflict of interest here

There is manifestly a potential conflict of interest here. To remedy this, Peter Lauener was clear at conference that the Institute will not employ staff to undertake EQA, but that this will be ‘tendered out’. In plenary and in workshops it was hinted at several times by senior representatives of both organisations that the Institute and Ofqual will be ‘talking closely’. This, however, is a problem.

If Ofqual takes a bigger space in the EQA arena – for example, by tendering for IfA/s EQA provision – any organisation looking to offer EPA where Ofqual is nominated as the standard’s EQA choice, has to become Ofqual-registered first.

This is a lengthy and daunting process for any organisation (such as an Awarding Body, for example) that is not already Ofqual-registered, and in reality has to be completed before even contemplating an application to the Register of Apprentice Assessment Organisations, which is in itself a considerable task.

Therefore, unless Ofqual changes its current rules, any move by the Institute for greater Ofqual involvement in EQA is likely to be off-putting for many organisations wanting to offer EPA.

Moreover, it will further delay the process, thus amplifying the travesty of current apprentices already following standards that do not have an identified EPA organisation in place – worryingly, already over half of all ‘live’ standards.

Movers and Shakers: Edition 206

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving

Tim Ward has been appointed chief executive of the Third Sector National Learning Alliance.

The TSNLA supports voluntary, community and social enterprise learning providers and plays a role on the national stage in shaping wider education policies.

Mr Ward, who was a founding member of the TSNLA, takes up the new role at the organisation from his previous position as chief executive of Learning Curve Group – a charity focused on education and skills for the most disadvantaged learners – which he has held since 1999.

In 2015, Mr Ward was awarded a fellowship grant from The Further Education Trust for Leadership, which he used to explore the challenges of leadership among third sector providers.

Mr Ward said “I believe strongly in the critical contribution the VCSE sector plays in skills and learning.

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to help the VCSE sector to continue to play its part in a fast-changing skills policy environment, including the move to more local control of learning and skills.”

Chair of the TSNLA, Don Hayes, said “This role is more critical than ever with the need to ensure that all have the opportunities, motivation and skills to contribute to the economy post-Brexit.”

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Principal of Croydon College, Frances Wadsworth, has been appointed to the board of Ofqual.

Ofqual is responsible for regulating qualifications, examinations and assessments in England.

She is one of four who join the board of the independent exams regulator for the first time, and will be in the post for three years.

Ms Wadsworth has over 30 years’ experience in education, teaching and managing in both schools and FE colleges across the UK.

She first joined Croydon College as principal in January 2011, following six years as principal and CEO of East Surrey College.

She began in the role on April 1.

________________________________________________________

Kelle McQuade has joined Training Qualifications UK as a lead business development manager.

The Manchester-based awarding organisation has more than 400 centres in 50 countries and is Ofqual approved.

Ms McQuade joins TQUK from Milton Keynes College, where she has worked for 13 years, most recently holding the position of head of curriculum innovation.

In her new role, she will be responsible for growing the company’s reputation within the training sector, alongside liaising with existing training providers.

As the lead business development manager, she will also oversee all new business development projects and accounts for the company.

Speaking of her appointment, Ms McQuade said “I’m thrilled to have joined such a fast growing and forward thinking organisation and look forward to using my previous experience within education to support centres and help expand the organisations profile.”

 

If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top of your college, training provider or awarding organisation please let us know by emailing news@feweek.co.uk

College sets new record at the Cornwall Teacher Awards

Hosted at Truro Cathedral by BBC Radio Cornwall’s Daphne Skinnard, the Cornwall Teacher Awards recognise excellent educators across 13 categories, with accolades up for grabs such as the Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Headteacher and Governor of the year.

Truro and Penwith College – judged outstanding by Ofsted in its most recent inspection – beat schools and providers to the top spot for Educational Support Worker of the Year, Special Educational Needs Teacher of the Year and Employer Engagement Initiative of the Year.

The collection of accolades was quite the contrast to the college’s entry to last year’s awards, which they left empty-handed.

Clive James Cornwall Teacher Awards
Clive James with his award

Three Truro and Penwith lecturers also battled it out for Outstanding FE Lecturer of the year, with the accolade going to the college’s deputy team leader for English, Clive James. Mr James, who started working at Truro and Penwith just this year, was shortlisted alongside colleagues Dr Sue Skuse and Hannah Smith.

Explaining their choice, judges said he was “someone who makes the students feel as if they have achieved something in every lesson, someone who has made a subject that is sometimes thought of as ‘dusty’, relevant to modern life and inspired his students to study the subject at University.”

Speaking to FE Week, Mr James said “The evening was really valuable for the profession. It was nice to be there alongside primary and secondary schools, and to get a wider view of education in the area.

“I was surprised and honoured to win the award. I always want to make sure that when my students leave the room they’re still talking about the subject and thinking about it all the time. I want my subject to go beyond the walls of the classroom.

“I was really pleased that my colleagues were nominated alongside me. It was more a team thing and I’m really lucky in my department, we have a great team.”

The award for Employer Engagement Initiative was collected by the college’s public services team, in recognition of their commitment to taking students to visit local businesses, to give them a taste of how things work outside the classroom.

Special Educational Needs Teacher of the Year went to Sophie Rollason, in recognition of the impact she made to students through the Expressive Arts curriculum, both in the college and the community.

Shane Mann at Cornwall Teacher Awards
Shane Mann speaking at the awards

The title of Educational Support Worker of the Year was awarded to science technician Kayley-Ann Raymond, who was praised for “going the extra mile to provide amazing support to colleagues”.

Now in its second year, there were nearly 300 nominations for the awards, with 37 teachers, governors and support workers making it to the shortlist.

The college was the only FE institution to enter this year’s awards, going up against multiple schools, including Pool Academy, Treviglas Community College and Brannel School.

Keynote speaker at the event was Shane Mann, managing director of LSECT and publisher of both FE Week and FE Week newspapers who supported the event. Speaking at the awards, he praised the work of educators in the area, saying “Cornish teachers turn around children’s lives”.

Scheme to help unemployed women find work gets a hand from college students

Hair, beauty and media make-up students from Hugh Baird college are taking part in a scheme to help unemployed women find work.

The Dress it Forward project, launched two years ago by Sefton & Liverpool Women in Business CIC, encourages people across Merseyside to donate their unwanted work wear to help those struggling for employment make a good impression at interviews.

The college students have gone one step further than clothes donations however, and are working with ladies enrolled on the scheme to style their hair and apply make-up.

A number of the women involved with the project are ex-offenders, or those who have little or no previous work experience.

Hair, beauty and media make-up tutor Bobbie Jarvis, who initiated the link between the college and the project, said “The students have struck up a real rapport with the team who run the scheme, and the ladies who take benefit from the project.”

“Part of the work we do at the college is linked to making students better citizens. Taking part in the Dress it Forward project has demonstrated to them the rewards of giving something back to the local community.”

Employability skills project gifts playtime to primary pupils

A group of East Durham College students have handmade and donated outdoor play equipment to a local primary school.

The team of nine created a wooden boat, car and bike for the Shotton Hall Primary schools’ early years play area, working on all elements of the project, from initial planning and preparation through to construction.

The group – who needed to work on a community project as part of their level two employability skills programme at the Houghall campus – chose to work with the local primary.

It took around three weeks to complete the equipment, which was then presented to pupils and staff at the primary school.

Lecturer John Murray, who assisted with the project, said “Outdoor play equipment is very expensive, so the school approached us to see if we could help with some equipment for their early years outdoor play area.

“They gave us a catalogue and the students chose a number of items to re-design and build.”

Cheryl McCoy, early years leader at Shotton Primary, added: “Imaginative play is a really important part of a child’s development and this fantastic new equipment is a great addition to the children’s outdoor play area.

“The children are absolutely thrilled with the new equipment and I’m sure it will provide them with hours of fun.”

Strictly stars give new dance studio full marks

Strictly Come Dancing stars AJ Pritchard and Chloe Hewitt attended the launch of Birmingham Metropolitan college’s new performing arts facility, Stage Studios.

The dancing duo – who are national and European Latin dance champions and regularly appear on the BBC show – took part in a question and answer session with performing arts students during the launch event.

The new studio is located at the college’s Sutton Coldfield campus, where Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell officially opened the venue by unveiling a commemorative plaque. 

Speaking of the college’s new facilities, dancer AJ said “The studios are fantastic.  Everyone has to start somewhere, so the more knowledge these students gain the more power they have to achieve their goals.

“I love how these students are involved in other things on top of their college courses.  Belonging to dance groups, taking part in events and appearing in productions at different theatres will help them go as far as possible in their careers.”

BMet Principal, Andrew Cleaves said “Stage Studios give our students the creative freedom and motivation to develop their skills and perform at their very best.”

College staff help cerebral palsy student complete marathon

Two members of National Star college staff helped a student realise her dream of completing a marathon by pushing her 26 miles in an all-terrain wheelchair.

Bethan Griffiths, a 22-year-old student at the college who has cerebral palsy, wanted to complete the Brighton marathon in memory of her mum Amanda, who died last year of motor neurone disease.

Her cause resonated with college staff, Becky Amor and Andy Woolway, who have both had close family members affected by the disease.

The team of two took turns pushing a £5,000 wheelchair loaned to them especially for the marathon – with Bethan crossing the finish line on foot.

Becky, who is a physiotherapy assistant at National Star, has run 19 marathons since 2012 but admitted running with a wheelchair made this her most challenging.

Bethan has now raised more than £900 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association through the marathon. Speaking of her experience, she said: “Being a part of a marathon is always something that I’ve dreamt of doing but never thought I’d get to do.

“I mentioned it to Becky during a physiotherapy session at National Star. Becky didn’t say I couldn’t do it. Instead she said she would figure out a way we could.”

Dear Robert, the apprenticeship allocation will cut our funding by over 80%

Colleges and training providers were sent a funding allocation on April 25, for apprenticeship starts from May to 31 December 2017 for non-levy employers. In response, the finance director of Ofsted outstanding apprenticeship provider Crackerjack has written to minister Robert Halfon to question their contract allocation, which he says equates to a funding cut between 80 and 90%.

Attention Robert Halfon

Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills

Dear Robert

I wrote to you on 21/04/2017 outlining my concerns with respect of the lack of progress on apprenticeship standards for the childcare sector. I look forward to receiving your reply to the questions I have asked.

Unfortunately I have the urgent need to contact you again regarding a far more serious issue, the announcement from Keith Smith (ESFA) on 25 April regarding contract extensions for ROATP providers due to the government pause in the ITT for non-levy paying organisations (98% of employers in the UK).

We received our allocation statement from Keith Smith, ESFA, via the Hub.

I wish to advise you that the allocation given to our organisation is derisory and in no way reflects our delivery record to date for 2016/17.

All our employers are small- to medium-size childcare nurseries and are all non-levy payers normally less than 20 employees. We therefore have no access whatsoever in our sector to large levy-paying employers and therefore no access to funding for apprenticeship starts from 1 May 2017.

 

Our apprenticeship contract 16/17 allocation (12 months) is:

16-18     £630,937              (for comparison, over 8 months this equates to £420,624)

19-23     £312,501              (for comparison, over 8 months this equates to £208,334)

 

However: Our apprenticeship contract 17/18 allocation issued by Keith Smith (8 months) is only:

16-18     £79,466                 (only 18.89% of our 16/17 eight month pro-rata allocation above)

This is an 81% cut in funding

19-23     £22,770                 (only 10.93% of our 16/17 eight month pro-rata allocation above)

This is an 89% cut in funding

 

We are an outstanding apprenticeship provider with success rates of 93% for 16-18 apprenticeships and 96.6% for 19-23 apprenticeships (30% above the national average), just the kind of provider the IFA need to deliver the high quality apprenticeships that the government is calling for.

Could you please investigate this allocation matter urgently as there is obviously something wrong with the way our allocation has been calculated.

I have also raised this matter with our constituency MP in Birmingham, Shabana Mahmood, Mark Dawe AELP and Nick Linford FE Week.

Our managing director will also be contacting Amanda Spielman, Chief Inspector, Ofsted to raise this issue. I will also be contacting Peter Lauener and Anthony Jenkins of the IFA.

I would appreciate your help and support in resolving this issue as soon as possible

Regards,

Chris Baker

Finance Director, Crackerjack Training

Exclusive: North London colleges’ merger called off

A London merger that had previously gone from a three-way to a two-way is now not happening at all.

Barnet and Southgate College and Waltham Forest College announced plans to join forces in October, after talks with College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London about three-way link up were shelved.

But staff at the two colleges were told earlier this week that the merger had been scrapped.

The news was confirmed in a statement published to Barnet and Southgate College’s website after it was exclusively revealed by FE Week.

It said: “Following lengthy and detailed discussions Barnet and Southgate College and Waltham Forest College have decided to continue their collaboration as partners and not to continue to a full merger at this stage.”

It comes as Bury College was dropped from its planned merger with the University of Bolton and Bolton College.

Consultation on the link-up between Barnet and Southgate and Waltham Forest closed on March 1, with a planned merger date of August 1. 

According to the consultation document, Waltham Forest would have become a campus of Barnet and Southgate College.

The partnership was recommended by both the East London area review, which Waltham Forest was part of, and the West London area review, which Barnet and Southgate was involved in.

According to the report from the east London review, the “merged college will deliver high quality skills training in most of the wider GLA key growth sectors identified as critical for London’s economy” and “would release significant cost savings in curriculum, management and support functions”.

Barnet held onto its grade two rating following a short inspection in November 2015, while Waltham Forest retained its ‘requires improvement’ grade in a report published in January.

As previously reported by FE Week, the planned three-way merger involving CONEL was “shelved by agreement” in October.

The sticking point in those merger proposals had been differing approaches to governance and management, CONEL said in a statement released at the time.

Meanwhile, “a number of issues and complexities” have led to Bury College being dropped from its planned link-up with the University of Bolton and Bolton College.

The proposal was one of just two mergers to have come out of the troubled Greater Manchester area review, which concluded in June – although Bury College’s consultation on the plans took place a year ago.

The university said “after extended consideration of the issues of Bury College” at a board meeting held April 24 it had “decided not to proceed, at this time, with the merger”.

Charlie Dean, Bury College principal, said this decision prompted college governors to reach the same conclusion at a meeting the following night.

He explained that the issue for the college related to a change in the plans from the original proposal, which would have seen the two colleges merging into a subsidiary company wholly owned by the university rather than directly with the university itself.

“The governors did not believe this arrangement would deliver the perceived benefits of the original merger intentions,” he said.

As previously reported by FE Week, Bury College saw its Ofsted rating plummet from ‘outstanding’ to ‘requires improvement’ in February, following its first inspection in a decade.

The merger between Bolton College and the university is still set to go ahead, and spokespeople for both institutions said the plans were “on track and making good progress”.

“We are however disappointed to hear that the opportunity of the wider merger with Bury College will now not be taking place,” a Bolton College spokesperson said.