Ofqual is today launching a public consultation seeking views on
its proposed approach to regulating apprenticeship assessments,
including those for foundation apprenticeship assessments.
The consultation, titled “Regulatory framework for
apprenticeship assessment”, invites awarding organisations,
colleges and training providers, employers and apprentices to
comment on the future regulatory framework.
The framework has been developed to reflect the new
apprenticeship assessment principles published by the Department
for Education earlier this year. It has been designed to
accommodate the new apprenticeship assessment plans being put in
place by Skills England.
The proposed framework would allow awarding organisations more
flexibility in assessment design and delivery to enable them to
be more responsive to the needs of employers. This includes
greater responsibility for decisions about how assessments are
structured, delivered and marked.
Ofqual will regulate both the assessments and the awarding
organisations that develop and deliver them.
Catherine Large, Executive Director for Vocational and Technical
Qualifications at Ofqual, said:
We want to hear from everyone with an interest in apprenticeships
to ensure our regulatory approach is effective, proportionate and
supports the development of valid and reliable assessment.
Ofqual understands the significance of potential changes to the
current end point assessment model, and the important role that
employers and providers play in the system. We are working to
ensure quality is upheld throughout this transition.
The consultation opens on Friday 20 June and will run until
Wednesday 27 August.
Interested parties can contribute by completing the online
consultation form available on GOV.UK or by emailing their
responses directly to consultations@ofqual.gov.uk.
Following the consultation, Ofqual will publish a summary of
responses and outline next steps for implementing the regulatory
framework.
Background information:
1. Ofqual is the independent qualifications regulator for
England.
2. The Department for Education is responsible for the
introduction and overall implementation of the reform to
apprenticeships, including the assessment principles.
3. Skills England is responsible for the streamlining of
assessment plans and ensuring that the views of employers are
represented.
4. The consultation document is available here at
GOV.UK.
5. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, Ofqual will
consult later in 2025 on the detail of the rules and guidance
that will put our proposals into effect.
