Reviewing Vocational Qualifications

Introduction

Vocational qualifications make up over 90% of the regulated qualifications available in Wales and should reflect the skills that employers need. Our sector reviews form the backbone of our work with vocational qualifications, allowing us to focus on qualifications within particular employment sectors.

With every sector review we undertake, our aim is to:

understand the qualifications landscape
hear stakeholders’ views on the qualifications and the qualifications system
decide whether we should take (or recommend that others take) action to improve qualifications or the system.

For some larger sectors, we also aim to:

consider whether the qualifications and the wider system are technically effective and fit for purpose
learn lessons from the qualifications systems of other nations.

Each sector review is different; the outcomes of one review are not necessarily the outcomes of the next.

Review process

When undertaking each of the reviews, we usually:

interview a wide range of stakeholders - including employers, sector bodies, work-based learning providers, further education institutions and schools
set up stakeholder panels to assist and advise us
encourage individuals to share their opinions with us through surveys
conduct technical reviews of qualifications - including looking at learners’ work
undertake desk-based international comparison studies.

Phase 2 reviews

Our initial sector reviews highlighted some cross-cutting themes, and these have been used as a focus for what we call Phase 2 reviews.

Phase 2 sector reviews are shorter than our full reviews - normally taking up to 12 months - and are focussed:

assessing the current, and likely future, availability of qualifications in key sectors - for use on full-time post-16 further education courses, sixth form schools and apprenticeships
identifying the need for and maximising the availability of Welsh-medium vocational qualifications.