PAA\VQ-SET newsletter

Best Practice Workshops for 2009 In 2009 PAA\VQ-SET will be holding Best Practice Workshops around the country for Assessors and Internal Verifiers. New this year will be Best Practice Workshops designed specifically for those involved in the delivery of the Laundry and Dry Cleaning NVQs, the following dates have been confirmed for these events: Best Practice Workshop for Laundry and Dry Cleaning: * NEW EVENT * • Thursday 12th February - Huddersfield • Tuesday 24th February - Birmingham Best Practice Workshop for Assessors: • Tuesday 24th March - Middlesbrough • Thursday 14th May - Warrington • Tuesday 9th June - Loughborough

Best Practice Workshop for Internal Verifiers: • Wednesday 25th March - Middlesbrough • Thursday 21st May - Warrington • Wednesday 10th June - Loughborough

The NVQ Code of Practice 2006 gives a definition of standardisation as:

Places are limited so we would recommend early booking. All bookings must be received at least a week before each event.

What Our Delegates Thought:

“Very useful to confirm, refresh and share experiences with others.”

“A concise and informative workshop.”

“A process to ensure that the assessment criteria for a qualification, unit or component are applied consistently by assessors, moderators and verifiers.”

When External Verifiers visit centres, they are required to check that standardisation has been taking place, and often centres ask for guidance on what they could do.

Standardisation should be carried out for all NVQ programmes offered within a centre, and gives assessors the chance to share ideas about assessment, discuss any difficulties they have with the NVQ (or unit) and develop best practice within the team, that will give a consistent, effective approach to assessment.

External Verifiers will want to see what standardisation activity has been carried out and so records should be kept of the meeting.

ISSUEFIVE

Keeping you up to date with developments with qualifications and standards in your industry

PAA\VQ-SET Update

The above dates have been confirmed; additional events are currently being organised and further details will be made available on PAA\VQ-SET’s website shortly.

Focus On: Standardisation

There are many different examples of suitable activities, such as: • discussing particular assessment methods or types of evidence and their most effective use – for example photographs, or professional discussion;

Welcome to PAA\VQ-SET’s Autumn/Winter 2008 Edition of Working Together.

2008 has been another successful year for PAA\VQ-SET, our centres and candidates, and has seen the achievement of two significant milestones; PAA\VQ-SET has now registered over 20,000 candidates and issued more than 10,000 certificates.

Special congratulations to PAA\VQ-SET Approved Centre Altro Floors who were awarded the following two Manufacturing Excellence Awards: Arup Award for Sustainable Manufacturing and the Professional Engineer Award for People Effectiveness. Further information on this is given on Page 3 of this Newsletter.

• a focus on a specific unit or element and the best way of assessing it, which could include the type or amount of evidence; • how to assess difficult units, elements, performance criteria, etc; • how to assess the knowledge and understanding requirements and the required answers; • design of assessment material or activities that will support effective assessment.

These are just a few examples for centres; PAA\VQ-SET’s External Verifiers will be able to give further guidance if required.

If you want to comment on any of the stories in this issue, would like more information or to make a contribution to future issues please contact Debbie on 01543 254223 or dhb.vqset@paa-uk.org

Ann Randall, PAA\VQ-SET’s Chief Executive, addresses assembled Conference delegates.

Ann Randall, PAA\VQ-SET’s Chief Executive, described the acquisition of SASL as important to “ensure that we stand firm on strong foundations providing protection for our portfolio of specialist qualifications, the centres and candidates who use them.”

: Brooke House, 24 Dam Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire. WS13 6AA

PAGE 4 -- ISSUE 5 - AUTUMN/WINTER 2008 -

Working Together

Autumn/Winter 2008

PAA\VQ-SET National Conference 2008.

PAA\VQ-SET’s fifth National Conference took place in November 2008 at the stunning venue of The Belfry, West Midlands. Over 100 delegates attended the event from across the UK and one delegate travelled from Kuwait to be there. There were representatives from all the sectors PAA\VQ-SET works with, including Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Paper, Nuclear, Science and Meteorology, and the recently incorporated Polymer and Signmaking sectors.

PAA\VQ-SET’s acquisition of the Awarding Body for the Polymer and Signmaking sectors, SASL, was completed in July 2008 and we were delighted that some of these new centres were able to attend the Conference.

t: 01543 254223 - f: 01543 257848 e: info@paa-uk.org - w: www.paa-uk.org

For a full Conference Report, including a review of the workshops and seminars, and to read Ann Randall’s full speech, please visit www.paa-uk.org.

2008 has also seen change in the wider qualification environment; the change from QCA to Ofqual and the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). Further information on this is given on Page 2 of this Newsletter.

Ministers approve QCF implementation The QCF will ultimately replace the current National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

An introduction to the QCF was given in PAA\VQ-SET’s Spring 2008 Edition of Working Together and can be found on our website www.paa-uk.org.

It is our intention to extend PAA\VQ-SET’s current qualifications until 31st December 2010 and we are in the process of beginning to migrate qualifications to the QCF. PAA\VQ-SET will be organising briefings to introduce centres to the QCF; details of these will be put on PAA\VQ-SET’s website once confirmed.

On 14th November 2008 the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills announced the approval of the implementation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).

QCA, Ofqual and the LSC have been given the go-ahead to implement the QCF over the next two years in England. The devolved administrations also announced that the QCF will be implemented in Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.

Employer Recognition Programme One of the new features of the QCF compared with the NQF is it offers the opportunity for employers to have their in-house training programmes accredited and their own units included in the QCF. There are a number of ways employers can do this but QCA’s recommended approach is for employers to work with existing Awarding Organisations, such as PAA\VQ-SET, as they already have the necessary expertise in unit writing and approval to submit units and qualifications for accreditation.

PAA\VQ-SET has experience of accrediting organisations’ in-house training schemes through its Specialised Awards.

As part of the development of the QCF QCA are keen to increase their employer engagement and would like to hear from employers who may be interested in accrediting their in-house training.

For f u r th er in f or m a tion a n d to r egis ter you r in ter es t on th is p leas e con tact A n n Randall at PAA\VQ -SE T.

First A1 Assessor Awards achieved at Shell Stanlow Shell’s Stanlow Refinery has achieved its’ first NVQ A1 Assessor Awards via PAA\VQ-SET certification. Candidates Peter Davies, Sean Ravenscroft and Kevin Thornton received their certificates recently from Dave Jenkins, PAA\VQ-SET regional External Verifier.

Site Scheme Coordinator Brian Burns commented that: “Stanlow is proud to have enhanced its’ standing as a Centre by achieving these Awards via PAA\VQ-SET”.

In the past Stanlow has successfully used external training providers for A1 Assessor certification. However the provision of the A1 Assessor workbook by PAA\VQ-SET was the basis for undertaking this ‘in-house’ training.

“Cost and time are always issues in relation to ‘internal’ training, especially when using your own resources, but the workbook, as a “step by step job aid” was a first class basis for facilitating the programme both for Candidates and their Assessors” added Brian.

“We achieved these Awards in about half the time it has previously taken and I congratulate the Candidates and their Assessors for the work they put in. I can only highly recommend the workbook.”

PAGE 2 -- ISSUE 5 - AUTUMN/WINTER 2008 -

A1 Achievement Workbook The workbook, developed by PAA\VQ-SET, provides comprehensive guidance on achieving the qualification using a variety of activities. It is divided into easy to complete stages and identifies the people involved in the process, how the Assessor Candidate should proceed and the evidence needed to show competence.

The Assessor Candidate is guided on how to develop plans for assessing competence and judging evidence, to providing feedback and contributing to internal quality assurance; the four cornerstones of an assessment process.

Awards Success for Altro Floors Congratulations to PAA\VQ-SET Approved Centre Altro Floors on the achievement of two Manufacturing Excellence Awards; the Professional Engineer Award for People Effectiveness which was hosted by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Arup Award for Sustainable Manufacturing.

These accolades were won ahead of strong competition from companies such as Rolls Royce, Perkins Engines and Leyland Trucks.

Richard Kahn, Chief Executive of Altro Floors said: “These awards evidence our strong performance in sustainability, and the effectiveness of everyone working for Altro.”

Two years ago we decided to introduce our own in-house accreditation training working closely with PAA\VQ-SET. This was the first time we decided to enter the manufacturing excellence “MX Awards” and entered three categories. We managed to pick up two awards one for ‘Sustainability’ and the other for ‘People Effectiveness’.

Picking up the award from Charles Kennedy was a great privilege, especially as I helped develop the accreditation programme with Pat Patel. At the end of the day without our people these awards would not have been possible; it is their commitment and loyalty that really made the difference.”

“I would like to thank PAA\VQ-SET for their support and expertise over the years”.

Pat Patel, Manufacturing Training Officer, added: “Our culture has massively shifted through living our unique brand value behaviours which forms part of is just the way we do things. Winning the award demonstrates we are a learning organisation where every area of our business has engaged in some form of specific or behavioural learning including our manufacturing Specialised Award programme.

I believe each area has played its part towards achieving the ‘People Effectiveness’ MX award which will also give us both motivational and commercial benefits! At the moment we are exploring certain modules of the programme for delivery companywide as well as exploring how we can move to the next level.”

Further information on Altro Floors’ Pathway to Excellence Specialised Awards Programme is available on PAA\VQ-SET's website www.paa-uk.org.

Mark Leeks and Pat Patel collected the award along with Altro’s sustainability team.

L-R: Shell Scheme Coordinator Brian Burns, newly qualified A1 Assessors Peter Davies, Sean Ravenscroft and Kevin Thornton with PAA\VQSET External Verifier Dave Jenkins.

An order form for PAA\VQ-SET’s A1 Achievement Workbook can be downloaded from www.paa-uk.org; alternatively please email info@paa-uk.org.

Mark Leeks, Training Assessor, said: “Having worked for Altro Floors for twenty years I have seen the company grow and develop into the world class business we are now.

We have achieved numerous awards over the years and have been in the Times Top 100 Companies to work for the past three years as voted by our own people.

Altro Floors’ Sustainability team collecting one of their Awards.

- AUTUMN/WINTER 2008 - ISSUE 5 -- PAGE 3

Ministers approve QCF implementation The QCF will ultimately replace the current National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

An introduction to the QCF was given in PAA\VQ-SET’s Spring 2008 Edition of Working Together and can be found on our website www.paa-uk.org.

It is our intention to extend PAA\VQ-SET’s current qualifications until 31st December 2010 and we are in the process of beginning to migrate qualifications to the QCF. PAA\VQ-SET will be organising briefings to introduce centres to the QCF; details of these will be put on PAA\VQ-SET’s website once confirmed.

On 14th November 2008 the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills announced the approval of the implementation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).

QCA, Ofqual and the LSC have been given the go-ahead to implement the QCF over the next two years in England. The devolved administrations also announced that the QCF will be implemented in Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.

Employer Recognition Programme One of the new features of the QCF compared with the NQF is it offers the opportunity for employers to have their in-house training programmes accredited and their own units included in the QCF. There are a number of ways employers can do this but QCA’s recommended approach is for employers to work with existing Awarding Organisations, such as PAA\VQ-SET, as they already have the necessary expertise in unit writing and approval to submit units and qualifications for accreditation.

PAA\VQ-SET has experience of accrediting organisations’ in-house training schemes through its Specialised Awards.

As part of the development of the QCF QCA are keen to increase their employer engagement and would like to hear from employers who may be interested in accrediting their in-house training.

For f u r th er in f or m a tion a n d to r egis ter you r in ter es t on th is p leas e con tact A n n Randall at PAA\VQ -SE T.

First A1 Assessor Awards achieved at Shell Stanlow Shell’s Stanlow Refinery has achieved its’ first NVQ A1 Assessor Awards via PAA\VQ-SET certification. Candidates Peter Davies, Sean Ravenscroft and Kevin Thornton received their certificates recently from Dave Jenkins, PAA\VQ-SET regional External Verifier.

Site Scheme Coordinator Brian Burns commented that: “Stanlow is proud to have enhanced its’ standing as a Centre by achieving these Awards via PAA\VQ-SET”.

In the past Stanlow has successfully used external training providers for A1 Assessor certification. However the provision of the A1 Assessor workbook by PAA\VQ-SET was the basis for undertaking this ‘in-house’ training.

“Cost and time are always issues in relation to ‘internal’ training, especially when using your own resources, but the workbook, as a “step by step job aid” was a first class basis for facilitating the programme both for Candidates and their Assessors” added Brian.

“We achieved these Awards in about half the time it has previously taken and I congratulate the Candidates and their Assessors for the work they put in. I can only highly recommend the workbook.”

PAGE 2 -- ISSUE 5 - AUTUMN/WINTER 2008 -

A1 Achievement Workbook The workbook, developed by PAA\VQ-SET, provides comprehensive guidance on achieving the qualification using a variety of activities. It is divided into easy to complete stages and identifies the people involved in the process, how the Assessor Candidate should proceed and the evidence needed to show competence.

The Assessor Candidate is guided on how to develop plans for assessing competence and judging evidence, to providing feedback and contributing to internal quality assurance; the four cornerstones of an assessment process.

Awards Success for Altro Floors Congratulations to PAA\VQ-SET Approved Centre Altro Floors on the achievement of two Manufacturing Excellence Awards; the Professional Engineer Award for People Effectiveness which was hosted by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Arup Award for Sustainable Manufacturing.

These accolades were won ahead of strong competition from companies such as Rolls Royce, Perkins Engines and Leyland Trucks.

Richard Kahn, Chief Executive of Altro Floors said: “These awards evidence our strong performance in sustainability, and the effectiveness of everyone working for Altro.”

Two years ago we decided to introduce our own in-house accreditation training working closely with PAA\VQ-SET. This was the first time we decided to enter the manufacturing excellence “MX Awards” and entered three categories. We managed to pick up two awards one for ‘Sustainability’ and the other for ‘People Effectiveness’.

Picking up the award from Charles Kennedy was a great privilege, especially as I helped develop the accreditation programme with Pat Patel. At the end of the day without our people these awards would not have been possible; it is their commitment and loyalty that really made the difference.”

“I would like to thank PAA\VQ-SET for their support and expertise over the years”.

Pat Patel, Manufacturing Training Officer, added: “Our culture has massively shifted through living our unique brand value behaviours which forms part of is just the way we do things. Winning the award demonstrates we are a learning organisation where every area of our business has engaged in some form of specific or behavioural learning including our manufacturing Specialised Award programme.

I believe each area has played its part towards achieving the ‘People Effectiveness’ MX award which will also give us both motivational and commercial benefits! At the moment we are exploring certain modules of the programme for delivery companywide as well as exploring how we can move to the next level.”

Further information on Altro Floors’ Pathway to Excellence Specialised Awards Programme is available on PAA\VQ-SET's website www.paa-uk.org.

Mark Leeks and Pat Patel collected the award along with Altro’s sustainability team.

L-R: Shell Scheme Coordinator Brian Burns, newly qualified A1 Assessors Peter Davies, Sean Ravenscroft and Kevin Thornton with PAA\VQSET External Verifier Dave Jenkins.

An order form for PAA\VQ-SET’s A1 Achievement Workbook can be downloaded from www.paa-uk.org; alternatively please email info@paa-uk.org.

Mark Leeks, Training Assessor, said: “Having worked for Altro Floors for twenty years I have seen the company grow and develop into the world class business we are now.

We have achieved numerous awards over the years and have been in the Times Top 100 Companies to work for the past three years as voted by our own people.

Altro Floors’ Sustainability team collecting one of their Awards.

- AUTUMN/WINTER 2008 - ISSUE 5 -- PAGE 3

Best Practice Workshops for 2009 In 2009 PAA\VQ-SET will be holding Best Practice Workshops around the country for Assessors and Internal Verifiers. New this year will be Best Practice Workshops designed specifically for those involved in the delivery of the Laundry and Dry Cleaning NVQs, the following dates have been confirmed for these events: Best Practice Workshop for Laundry and Dry Cleaning: * NEW EVENT * • Thursday 12th February - Huddersfield • Tuesday 24th February - Birmingham Best Practice Workshop for Assessors: • Tuesday 24th March - Middlesbrough • Thursday 14th May - Warrington • Tuesday 9th June - Loughborough

Best Practice Workshop for Internal Verifiers: • Wednesday 25th March - Middlesbrough • Thursday 21st May - Warrington • Wednesday 10th June - Loughborough

The NVQ Code of Practice 2006 gives a definition of standardisation as:

Places are limited so we would recommend early booking. All bookings must be received at least a week before each event.

What Our Delegates Thought:

“Very useful to confirm, refresh and share experiences with others.”

“A concise and informative workshop.”

“A process to ensure that the assessment criteria for a qualification, unit or component are applied consistently by assessors, moderators and verifiers.”

When External Verifiers visit centres, they are required to check that standardisation has been taking place, and often centres ask for guidance on what they could do.

Standardisation should be carried out for all NVQ programmes offered within a centre, and gives assessors the chance to share ideas about assessment, discuss any difficulties they have with the NVQ (or unit) and develop best practice within the team, that will give a consistent, effective approach to assessment.

External Verifiers will want to see what standardisation activity has been carried out and so records should be kept of the meeting.

ISSUEFIVE

Keeping you up to date with developments with qualifications and standards in your industry

PAA\VQ-SET Update

The above dates have been confirmed; additional events are currently being organised and further details will be made available on PAA\VQ-SET’s website shortly.

Focus On: Standardisation

There are many different examples of suitable activities, such as: • discussing particular assessment methods or types of evidence and their most effective use – for example photographs, or professional discussion;

Welcome to PAA\VQ-SET’s Autumn/Winter 2008 Edition of Working Together.

2008 has been another successful year for PAA\VQ-SET, our centres and candidates, and has seen the achievement of two significant milestones; PAA\VQ-SET has now registered over 20,000 candidates and issued more than 10,000 certificates.

Special congratulations to PAA\VQ-SET Approved Centre Altro Floors who were awarded the following two Manufacturing Excellence Awards: Arup Award for Sustainable Manufacturing and the Professional Engineer Award for People Effectiveness. Further information on this is given on Page 3 of this Newsletter.

• a focus on a specific unit or element and the best way of assessing it, which could include the type or amount of evidence; • how to assess difficult units, elements, performance criteria, etc; • how to assess the knowledge and understanding requirements and the required answers; • design of assessment material or activities that will support effective assessment.

These are just a few examples for centres; PAA\VQ-SET’s External Verifiers will be able to give further guidance if required.

If you want to comment on any of the stories in this issue, would like more information or to make a contribution to future issues please contact Debbie on 01543 254223 or dhb.vqset@paa-uk.org

Ann Randall, PAA\VQ-SET’s Chief Executive, addresses assembled Conference delegates.

Ann Randall, PAA\VQ-SET’s Chief Executive, described the acquisition of SASL as important to “ensure that we stand firm on strong foundations providing protection for our portfolio of specialist qualifications, the centres and candidates who use them.”

: Brooke House, 24 Dam Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire. WS13 6AA

PAGE 4 -- ISSUE 5 - AUTUMN/WINTER 2008 -

Working Together

Autumn/Winter 2008

PAA\VQ-SET National Conference 2008.

PAA\VQ-SET’s fifth National Conference took place in November 2008 at the stunning venue of The Belfry, West Midlands. Over 100 delegates attended the event from across the UK and one delegate travelled from Kuwait to be there. There were representatives from all the sectors PAA\VQ-SET works with, including Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Paper, Nuclear, Science and Meteorology, and the recently incorporated Polymer and Signmaking sectors.

PAA\VQ-SET’s acquisition of the Awarding Body for the Polymer and Signmaking sectors, SASL, was completed in July 2008 and we were delighted that some of these new centres were able to attend the Conference.

t: 01543 254223 - f: 01543 257848 e: info@paa-uk.org - w: www.paa-uk.org

For a full Conference Report, including a review of the workshops and seminars, and to read Ann Randall’s full speech, please visit www.paa-uk.org.

2008 has also seen change in the wider qualification environment; the change from QCA to Ofqual and the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). Further information on this is given on Page 2 of this Newsletter.