1. iCQ – A view of funding
changes and trailblazers
Neil Heys – iCQ Sector Lead (Enterprise Services)
19 April 2016
2. iCQ – an overview of who we are
An Ofqual accredited QCF 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
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. iLearner – additional functions
Multiple choice questions
(create diagnostic tools and tests; use for in-house programmes)
Private standards
(add in house training and certificates)
Learning content and key documents
(add learning content and key documents, and iLearner will allocate
to learners)
7. 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
8. 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
12. Funding landscape
We are nearing the end (hopefully) of changes to how qualifications
are funded and which qualifications can be funded
Funding changes have coincided with the change from QCF to RQF
16. AEB localisation
SfA Priorities and Funding for the 2016 to 2017 Funding Year:
Nick Boles (Minister of State for Skills)
• ‘In future ….. delivery agreements with providers should reflect local priorities
which might include, for example, job outcomes and English and maths
achievements. The Government’s view is that the AEB funds what is
essentially a local service and that in the right circumstances it can be better
for funding and responsibilities to be held at local level rather than national
level.’
17. AEB localisation
Localisation – 6 eligibility criteria to be met for a qualification to be
funded
Eligibility criteria are aligned EfA criteria (16-18 year olds)
Localisation (local flexibility) funded programmes may or may not
include a qualification
19. Advanced learner loans from August 2016
Learner loans available to those aged 19 and over (not just 24+)
Learner loans available for Levels 3 to 6 (not just Levels 3 and 4)
Above expansions partly explain the increased budgets
21. How we support our customers
AEB localisation –
• Most iCQ qualifications are funded (though the Hub will only be updated in
April 2016)
• Develop new qualifications in partnership with customers
• iLearner supports the delivery of in-house programmes in addition to RQF
qualifications
22. How we support our customers
Learner loans –
• Many iCQ Level 3 and 4 qualifications are funded already
• We can add additional qualifications to the funding list (monthly) where
there is employer demand (generally support from 5 employers)
• We will develop qualifications where there is a demand from customers and
their employers
23. 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
24. 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
26. 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
27. Institute of Apprenticeships (IfA)
An employer-led, independent body to regulate the quality of
trailblazer standards and delivery, the IfA will –
• undertake quality and approval functions in relation to apprenticeship
standards and assessment plans
• have wider quality assurance functions, including making arrangements for
assessing the quality of the end point assessment for each apprenticeship
• have responsibility to advise Government of funding allocations per each
apprenticeship standard
IfA should be fully operational by April 2017
28. Trailblazers
‘Go live’ this year alongside existing frameworks
Existing frameworks will be phased out (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
29. 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 on-going assessment and support to apprentices on an ongoing
basis)
30. 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
31. GovernmentTraining
Provider
Employer
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
Top up
Source:
Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS
DigitalApprenticeshipService
(DAS)willmanagethelevy
33. How TS and the levy (should) work by 2020
Providers will have contracts with employers and ancillary agreement
with SFA
Any approved provider can act as a lead
Employer contribution from levy or co-investment for non-levy
payers
Provider payments released by ‘double lock’ – employer commitment
/ monthly data return Source:
Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS
34. iCQ trailblazer offer (a work in progress)
Training
training and on-going assessment
iCQ will add the trailblazer standards to iLearner
• To enable ongoing assessment of Skills
• To enable ongoing assessment of Knowledge multiple choice tests where appropriate
• To enable ongoing assessment of Behaviours
To ensure apprentices are ready for end assessment
iCQ plan to offer certification of Skills, Knowledge and Behaviour,
where supported by the trailblazer employer group
to provide apprentices who do not complete the end assessment with recognition of achievement
35. iCQ trailblazer offer (a work in progress)
Independent End Point Assessment
holistic assessment of the standard leading to pass or distinction
iCQ will author EPA materials
EPA delivery (as an assessment organisation)
• iCQ will have a small team of independent assessors
iCQ will train and quality assure assessors delivering EPA and their
decisions
36. iCQ trailblazer offer (a work in progress)
Additional considerations (subject to provider / employer feedback)
Develop initial assessment tools
Author learning materials (with providers /employers)
All iCQ resources will be made available via iLearner
Pricing model – not yet finalised
37. The iCQ trailblazer package …..?
Recruitment
• Skills scan / Diagnostic tools
• Data collection for funding and monitoring
Monitoring
/ Training
• Learning resources / Multiple choice tests (for progress checking)
• Mini qualifications – to recognise achievement
End
Assessment
• End assessment (resources) including grading guide
• End assessment recording and QA
AlldeliveredviaiLearner