Ofsted shares how it will regulate Technical Qualifications

Ofqual has published the outcomes of a policy consultation on its approach to regulating the new Technical Qualifications which will sit within T Levels.

It is now launching a further, technical consultation, to give interested parties an opportunity to feed back on the detail of Ofqual’s rules.

Following feedback, Ofsted will require an awarding organisation to provide a minimum of one assessment series for the Core and the Occupational Specialisms; with the option for an additional assessment series, if appropriate.  

Awarding organisations will not be required to issue certificates for the Technical Qualifications. Instead, certification will be for the overall T Level. However, a statement of achievement will be implemented for students who do not successfully pass all elements of the T Level, to ensure students are not disadvantaged and that their achievements.

Ofsted will require that the core knowledge and understanding elements are assessed by an examination and marked by the awarding organisation. However, in exceptional circumstances, rules will allow for centre marking of core skills assessments and Occupational Specialism assessments.

Ofsted consulted on setting a requirement for Occupational Specialisms to have a ‘Working Towards’ grade below Pass, but will not proceed due to its limited value. 

Sally Collier, Chief Regulator, said: "The documents we have published set out the next stage in how Ofqual will play its part in the development and delivery of high quality, reliable and comparable Technical Qualifications which both learners and employers can trust. 

"The responses we received to our policy consultation will help ensure these qualifications, and the T Levels of which they are part, are valid and robust, and meet the demands of the work place. We have used the consultation feedback to support our draft Conditions and Guidance, which we have set out for further consultation, and we look forward to hearing stakeholders’ views."

Ofsted is holding three events to support its technical consultation, aimed at awarding organisations interested in developing Technical Qualifications, or other bodies which may have an interest in becoming recognised awarding organisations to develop Technical Qualifications in the future. Click below for more information on these.