An overview of iCQ and its services, as well as information about changes made to apprenticeship funding and 'trialblazers'.

1. iCQ – A view of funding
changes and trailblazers
Andy Tait
18 November 2016

2. • An Ofqual accredited RQF Awarding Organisation
• Sectors include general business, finance, logistics, retail,
service enterprises, hospitality, health and social care and
more
• Over 200 regulated qualifications
• Most qualifications are funded
iCQ – an overview of who we are (now)

3. iLearner – an overview
• iCQ’s integrated, browser-based learner
and funding data management system

4. iLearner – key functions and tools
•Manage learner evidence
•Conduct external and Internal Quality Assurance (on
line / real time)
•Identify gaps in evidence
•Record assessment activities, feedback and time
e-Portfolio
Learner Management
•Track learner progress against target dates
•Identify learners (and assessors) behind schedule
•Complete all good practice documentation on
screen (ILP, reviews, diagnostics, unit allocation)

5. iLearner – key functions and tools
•On screen ILR and unique learner interview significantly
reduces funding administration time
•Manage multiple contracts and sub-contracts
•Ensure SASE compliance
Funding Management
•Map company L&D programmes to qualifications
using iLearner
•Add assessment activities and create learner
workbooks
Mapping & Activities

6. Tailoring iLearner to our customers needs
• iLearner can be ‘skinned’ to reflect our customers’ website styles
• All users can login to iLearner via our customers’ website or intranet
• Our customers can add additional fields to iLearner to record the data they
need (and report on those fields)
• iCQ certificates can include our customers’ logos

7. Transparent pricing
• iCQ pricing recognises that funding is paid in instalments – so our prices
are end loaded (supporting cash flow)
• Our iLearner registration includes registration for as many qualifications
as the learner needs - ever (supporting progression)
• Certificates - pay on completion – for achievers only
• When iCQ need to increase prices (not every year) – we generally give 12
months notice

8. Transparent pricing Certificates Levels 1 – 3
Employability
£10.00
Knowledge
£22.00
Competence
£38.00
Combined
£60.00
iLearner £20.00*
Centre approval pa £500.00*
(includes iLearner training)
*+VAT

9. Transparent pricing Certificates Levels 4 +
Employability
£10.00
Knowledge
£30.00
Competence
£45.00
Combined
£75.00
iLearner £20.00*
Centre approval pa £500.00*
(includes iLearner training)
*+VAT

10. Transparent pricing Other Functions
Multiple Choice
£0.00
Private Standards
£0.00
Learning Content
£0.00
Mapping, Activities
£0.00
iLearner £20.00*

11. The future - trailblazer standards (TS)
• TS will replace existing apprenticeship frameworks (by 2020?)
• TS and Assessment Plans are written by employers and approved by BIS
• TS are usually 2 pages long and include
– Knowledge and understanding
– Skills
– Behaviours

12. Trailblazer standards (TS)
• All TS include an independent end point assessment (EPA)
– EPA must be conducted by an approved assessment
organisation
• Apprentices will be graded, where possible
• Maths and English (Functional Skills or GCSE) a requirement
• Minimum 12 months duration and a minimum 20% off-the-job
training

13. A Trailblazer standard
• Extract from Hospitality Team Member

14. Assessment Plan
• Process for Hospitality Team Member
Activities can be completed in any order as long as professional discussion is last
• 90 minutes
• Multiple choice
questions
On demand
test
• 3 hours
• Working in own
department covering
range of skills expected
for the role
Practical
observation • Research an issue /
opportunity to improve
the department – e.g.
way of working, respond
to customer feedback
• Present findings and
recommendation
Project and
presentation
• Structured discussion
• Apprentice, Employer
and Assessor
• Brings the assessment
phase to a close
Professional
discussion

15. Trailblazers
• Existing frameworks are being phased out and replaced by TS
– This should be completed by 2020?
• We have –
– Trailblazer standards
– Trailblazer assessment plans
– Approved standards are available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-
standards-ready-for-delivery
• Qualifications are generally not included in the new apprenticeships

16. Trailblazer delivery
• EPA must be conducted by an approved assessment organisation
• Providers can contract with employers to deliver training
• Providers cannot deliver training and EAP to the same employer
• Employers can be providers or an assessment organisation
(Providers will also provide assessment and support to apprentices on
an ongoing basis)

17. Employer levy
• 2% of employers will pay the levy
• Levy collected from April 2017
• Levy collected by HMRC through PAYE
Source:
Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS

18. Governmen
t
Training
Provide
r
Employe
r
Receive
training for
apprentice
Claim
funding from
SFA
The objectives: Employer control and
simplicity
The objectives: Training provider provides assurance and
management / forecasting information
The objectives: Get the machinery right to provide a quality service while protecting public
purse
“Double
lock”
HMRC
collect levy
(PAYE)
Employ
Apprentice
Offer
apprenticeship
training
Price agreed
with
employer
Timely data
on training
Pay for
training with
account
balance
Employer has
online
account
Provide
training to
apprentice
Check
training to
employer
account
Pay provider
Register with
SFA
(Ofsted)
Employer and Provider Identity Assurance
Pass data on levy payments from HMRC to
BIS
Unused
balance
expires
Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) will manage the levy

19. How TS and the levy (should) work
• Providers must be on the Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers
• Providers will have contracts with employers and ancillary agreement with SFA
• Employer contribution from levy or co-investment for non-levy payers
• Provider payments released by ‘double lock’ – employer commitment / monthly
data return

20. iCQ – an overview of our (trailblazer) future
• iCQ will be an End Point Assessment Organisation for trailblazer
apprenticeship standards
• iCQ will support training providers collect data (required for SfA) and
manage the apprentices learning journey using iLearner

21. The iCQ trailblazer solution
Pre-delivery
Learner
diagnostics
Learner
journey
Learner
management
End Point
Assessment

22. Pre-learning delivery
Map large
employer
programmes to
the standard(s)
Review
mapping with
iCQ
iCQ add
mapping to
iLearner

23. Learner diagnostics – using iLearner
Skills Scan – to
identify
strengths /
weaknesses
Diagnostic
tests (multiple
choice) as
appropriate

24. Learner journey – using iLearner
Add learning
resources
Add milestone
assessment
activities
Set-up bespoke
multiple choice
tests for
employers

25. End point assessment – delivered and recorded on iLearner
Multiple choice
test / portfolio
PD, project,
observation,
other -
recorded by
assessor
Internal quality
assurance and
grading

26. The iCQ complete solution
Pre-delivery
Learner
diagnostics
Learner
journey
Learner
management
End Point
Assessment

27. Any questions?
• And thank you for your time

28. GET INVOLVED:
• Why not come and Network and meet with other peers in your
sector industry (with a higher success rate of potential collaboration
of partnership than any other format including traditional
conferences, seminars etc.)
• Gain and share valuable knowledge and experiences
• Opportunity to showcase yourself, your organisation and projects
• Contact with the Founder:
Safaraz Ali on twitter: @SafarazAli
or Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/safaraz