Progress With The Plan
The industry Occupational Map has been updated and now provides a foundation for future qualification development. Copies can be obtained from Andy Brown Head of Research and Development at AndyBrown@ecitb.org.uk.
A new unitised structure for a qualification for estimators has been prepared in readiness for submission to the QCF. This qualification will form part of an extended suite of project control qualifications currently under development.
Means of incorporating the current Project Management NVQs into the routes to membership of the Association for Project Management (APM) are currently under investigation together of means of expanding the range of provision leading to Project Management qualifications.
A prototype of the new interactive careers progression route tool has been tested, the IT infrastructure design frozen and the required range of resource materials are being collated. The tool will enable prospective entrants to the industry, those seeking promotion or role changes, and those seeking to broaden their qualifications to suit the needs of a particular job role to review options available to them. It will also help managers and team leaders to plan the career development of their teams.
A range of craft support roles for which specific qualifications not currently available has been identified through the Occupational Mapping exercise. New qualifications structures based upon existing NOS are currently under development in preparation for submission to the QCF.
It is intended that the qualifications assessment process will be reviewed in early 2010 in order to ensure that it is as cost effective and efficient as possible. It is likely that the work will be carried out by the External Verifier team in consultation with employers.
In recognition of the significant numbers of new industry entrants required by 2014, it is intended that a preparatory course with a related “fit to work” qualification will be developed for piloting towards the end of 2010. Development work is scheduled to commence early that year.
In consortium with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) involved with the Built Environment, ECITB is engaged in a project to strengthen dialogue between higher education providers and interested employers. A Virtual Sounding Board has been developed as a communication tool and is now available to all interested parties. Information gathered during the Qualification Strategy consultation about the need for more core engineering content in the HE provision has been fed back to BIS as part of the Independent Review of Higehr Education and Student Finance.
A series of consultation workshops is under way to develop Units of Assessment for the QCF. An iterative approach is being adopted in consultation with the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Authority (QCDA). Although draft Units of Assessment have been prepared for several qualifications, further consultation and standardisation is being undertaken.
ECITB is progressing through an Ofqual process to be approved to submit units into the QCF. Ofqual require the ECITB to submit some further data. The ECITB expects to be approved before the end of Feb 2010. Submission of qualifications will commence shortly afterwards.
ECITB are to run a series of consultations in Scotland to assess the demand for retaining Scottish Qualifications as SVQs or move to using QCF units accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Interested parties have been contacted about these consultations, If you are interested in Scottish vocational qualifications and haven’t been contacted then please contact Head of Research & Development on 07973416149.
Further information relating to the QCF can be downloaded from the QCDA website here.
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You are invited to review the attached Units of Assessment for the new Qualification and Credit Framework. If you have any issues with the content of the Units of Assessment please use the electronic feedback form on the left of this page, fill out the form and submit via the e-mail button.