Simplifying NZ qualifications and credentials - information webinar

 Attended an information webinar this morning organised by NZQA on the topic – simplifying NZ qualifications and other credentials as a precursor to the consultation process.

The proposals seek to:

·         ensure that vocational qualifications support learner mobility and consistent skills for employers, whilst retaining flexibility for regional needs

·         simplify the credentials landscape so that it is easier for learners and employers to navigate

·         enable Workforce Development Councils to develop micro-credentials for providers to deliver. 

A summary of the intentions are available from this link and the details on this link

Notes taken at the webinar are below:

The presenter in Frannie Aston, Chief advisor at NZQA. The presentation covered the reform of vocational education (RoVE); overviewed the proposals and then provided a Q & A session.

Justine Auton introduced the session and provided the welcome along with how the session would run.

RoVE came about due to skill shortages, difficulties in getting to employers and learners in the revgions, challenges at ITPs. etc.

Summarised the key concepts, vision, progress on transition into RoVE. 

NZQA programmes of work being done to align to RoVE structure and systems. NZQA undertaking the simplifying qualifications, supporting establishment of WDCs, revieqing quality assurance and internal NZQA systems. Plus also deoing the review of NZQF.

Summarised the need to undertake qualification design. Improved greater consistency and simply range and design of vocaitional education 'products.

Two options for ensuring VET meets students needs. NZ quals as currently oulined or programmes and training packages remove and removed with national curriculum. 

Option A details laid out with WDCs developing skills and quals; training packages and tertiary education programmes - as currently outlined in the education and training act 2020. 

Option B simplifies the process with WDC develop and maintain qualifications including 'naitonal curriculum' and lead the development of 'national curriculum'. Option requires changes to Education and Training Act 2020. Would apply to all qualifications on the NQF to level 7. 

Defined national curriculum - meet intent of 'training packages', include skills standards' specified in the qualification and collaboratively developed. Option B will remove traning packages but components of qualification will be the same.

Impact of Option B better for learners for transferability; employers and industry will achieve greater consistency with involvement in design and review. WDCs lead but would not develop training packages, teaching institutions able to provide pedagogical support.

Compared options A and B abd their key advantages and disadvantages.

Q & A included whether skills standards assessments are competency or achievement based - still unclear.

Some content will be included in the process.

Regional needs may be met through microcredentials or some credits allow for local context to tbe recognised. 

Providers still responsible for development of teaching and learning resources. National curriculum to include core content, teaching and learning objectives etc.

WDC will need ITP collaboration to inform pedagogy and content inclusion.

Covered proposals 2 and 3. In proposal 2 training schemes would be replaced by microcredentials. Provided rationale and details of how this may work.

Proposal 3 enabling microcredentials to be developed by WDC. Technical issue in the Educatin and Training Act 2020 required to allow this to occur. 

In general, anything under 40 is microcredit but above that, a stand alone qualification. There is difference between skill standard (micro credential) and unit standard. At some stage, all training schemes will become microcredentials.Microcredentials must meet industry needs, therefore there should not be a large number of microcredentials. A badging system may be possible.

Continued with the timeline for the 'simplifyinf qualifications' process.Consultation close 16/6, collated across August and proposed amendments to ACT in mid 2022. Implementation likely only from 2023.