Guidance on new forms of acceptable evidence Including: Personal Learning Record and Screenshots

Transcription

1 Guidance on new forms of acceptable evidence Including: Personal Learning Record and Screenshots Training Providers 01/08/2013 The Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 0

2 Contents Purpose... 2 PLR and the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF)... 2 PLR access... 3 PLR limitations and issues... 3 Understanding the PLR... 3 Other systems and evidence... 4 Schools Information Management System (SIMS)... 4 Provisional statement of results... 4 Use of Awarding Organisation screenshots... 4 Awarding bodies populating the PLR... 4 Continuing developments... 6 Peer-to-Peer Transfer... 6 Unique Learner Numbers... 6 A unique identifier... 6 Examples of alternative forms of acceptable Evidence... 7 Summary Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 1

3 Purpose This document details information regarding acceptable evidence for the submission of Apprenticeship Completion Certificates. Whilst we still recommend that wherever possible copies of certificates are used to evidence achievement of the components within the framework, this document provides examples of other acceptable evidence where the certificate is unavailable, utilising new technologies and systems that are available. Highlighted within the document is what the certification bodies will be looking for when alternative evidence is used such as full name, unique learner number (ULN) and date of achievement. Personal Learning Record (PLR) introduction The PLR database is a free and important application that offers access to verified participation and achievement records of individual learners. The records will detail the qualifications achieved from either school, college or other further education training providers since its implementation in the 2007/08 academic year, however this does not typically record higher education qualifications completed within universities. The system allows the individual learner to access their current and past achievement records and these records can then be shared with their training provider (this could be school, college, further education training provider, university) or employer. The PLR is designed to allow the learner access to their records but they can give their permission for training providers or employers to gain access to the record, providing they are an approved organisation, please see PLR access section to find out more on how to become and approved organisation. PLR and the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) QCF qualifications are made up of bite size units that can be completed individually. The PLR system enables the learner or anyone given permission to identify the individual units achieved in order to build up an overall qualification. Once you have established what the learner has achieved you are able to plan progression routes and identify what units will need to be achieved to gain a qualification. Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 2

4 PLR access If you have not as yet signed up to the PLR as an approved organisation then you will need to register on the UK Register of Learning Providers website. Follow the process as instructed to do so and once completed you will receive a UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN). This will then allow you to register with the Learning Records Service where you are able to access the PLR database. If you have any questions in relation to this process then you will need to contact the Learning Records Service directly. PLR limitations and issues The PLR evidence should always be considered as alternative piece of evidence in place of accepted evidence such as certificate and may not be the best option for all learners. In previous years the data that was uploaded to the system was not standardise or checked and therefore may lead to some legacy data issues where the required information is not shown and the quality of the achievement was not robust. Therefore if the evidence you have from the PLR does not show the required information you will be required to provide alternative evidence to the certification body. Understanding the PLR The PLR system is a straight forward process with clear information regarding achievement provided. However there are some issues regarding old data. Therefore all PLR information should detail the information below: All learners should show; Name and ULN GCSE Provider Awarding Organisation, Qualification Type, Aim Description, Grade and Award date. Key Skills May only show a Start and Achievement date. The grade is not applicable and so will not be shown BTEC May only show and Award or Achievement date If any of this information is not displayed then the use of the PLR may not be acceptable and alternative accepted evidence should be sought. The PLR examples found later in this document show the varying evidence that you can obtain from the database. Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 3

5 Other systems and evidence Schools Information Management System (SIMS) Due to the initial limitations of the PLR system screen shots from SIMS will be accepted. However this will change once the issues with the PLR have been resolved therefore please ensure that you check whether the SIMS is acceptable before using this form of evidence. SIMS is directly populated by the awarding bodies and can only be accessed by a limited number of users within individual schools. If you want to use evidence from SIMS the following information will need to be clearly displayed: Result date Qualification Board Status i.e. certificate or unit Grade/Result This will then need to be signed and dated by a teacher or exams officer within the school and show the school stamp/logo. Provisional statement of results Provisional statements of results are not accepted as evidence of achievement. This is because they are provisional and there is a period after being issued where the results are liable to change and therefore the grade cannot be guaranteed. A final certificate is then issued after a period of 3 months which states the achieved grade or the evidence can be found from the PLR which will be updated if an appeal is upheld. Use of Awarding Organisation screenshots There are currently 138 awarding bodies across England that have signed up to populate the PLR system. As a result screenshots from these awarding bodies will be accepted as evidence providing that all the relevant data is clearly visible and the web link is included on the screenshot. Awarding bodies populating the PLR With effect from 01 August 2013, only those Awarding organisations that have signed up to populate the PLR will have their qualifications funded by the Skills Funding Agency. The list below is a current list of those awarding organisations that are currently signed up to using the PLR, however this is list is subject to change. Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 4

6 1 st 4Sport British Institute of Facilities Management Engineering Construction Industry Training Board Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI Awards Ltd) Open College Network South West Region ABC Awards British Safety Council English Speaking Board (International Ltd) International Dance Teachers Association Open College Network Yorkshire and Humber Region Accrediting & Assessment Bureau for Post Secondary Schools Ltd British Wheel of Yoga Qualifications Equestrian Qualifications Ltd IoL Educational Trust (formely Chartered Institute of Linguists) Organisation for Tourism and Hospitality Management Active IQ CABWI Awarding Body First Aid Awards Ltd ITC First Aid Ltd PAA/VQSET Agored Cymru Cambridge International Examinations Food and Drink Qualifications (FDQ) ITEC (Education and Media Studies) Packaging Industry Awarding Body Company (PIABC) AIM Awards (Previously Open College Central Qualifications Future (Awards Qualifications)Ltd Kaplan Professional Awards Prince s Trust Network East Midlands) Amateur Swimming Association Central YMCA Qualifications Gemmological Association LAMDA Examinations Pro Qual Awarding Body AoFA Qualifications Chartered Institute for Securities & GQA Qualifications Ltd Lantra Awards QUALIF Ltd Investment Ascentis Chartered Institute of Building Graded Qualifications Alliance GQA Laser (OCN South East Region) Qualifications Network ASDAN Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance Lifetime Awarding Qualsafe Awards Assessment and Qualifications Alliance Chartered Institute of Housing I can Qualifications Ltd Logic Certification Ltd Rockschool (AQA) Associated Board of the Royal Schools Chartered Institute of Logistics and IAB (International Association of Book- London Centre of Marketing Royal Academy of Dance of Music Transport in the UK Keepers) Association of Accounting Technicians Chartered Institute of Personal IFS School of Finance McDondalds Royal Horticultural Society Development Association of Business Executives Chartered Institute of Purchasing and ILEX Chartered Institute of Legal Mineral Products Qualifications Council Royal Society for Public Health (RPSH) Supply Executives Association of Business Managers and administrators Chartered Management Institute CMI ILM (City and Guilds) (NALP) National Association of Licensed Paralegals Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Association of Chartered Certified Accountants CIBTAC Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing National Federation of Property Professionals SFEDI Enterprises/SFEDI Awards Association of International Accountants City & Guilds of London Institute Industry Qualifications NCFE Signature (CACDP) ATHE Limited City College Norwich Qualifications Institute of Administrative Management NCTJ Training Skills for Justice (SFJ) Awards Awarding Body for the Built Environment Confederation of Tourism & Hospitality Institute of Animal Technology NOCN (National Open College Network) Skillsfirst Awards BIIAB Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Institute of British Sign Language OCN Eastern Region Sports Leaders UK Awarding Body BPEC Certification Ltd Cskills (Construction Skills) Institute of Export OCN London Swimming Teachers Association Safety Training Awards) British Ballet Organisation Defence Institute of Operations Management OCN West Midlands Region British Driving Society Edexcel (Pearson) Institute of qualified lifeguards OCR British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust EDI Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation Open Awards (Previously OCN NWR/OCN North West Region) British Institute of Cleaning Science EMTA Awards Limited (EAL) Institute of Sales and Marketing Management Open College Network Northern Ireland Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 5

7 Continuing developments Peer-to-Peer Transfer Work is continuing with many Awarding Organisations to develop the possibility of direct data transfer between management information systems and ACE (known as peer to peer transfer). This work is currently being trialled with Pearsons (Edexcel) and if successful will be rolled out to other awarding organisations. The peer to peer transfer works on the principal that the awarding organisation will send the completion data for NVQs Diploma s Functional Skills etc. straight to the ACE system where the fields will be auto populated. This is will allow the certification body to see the data required and be sure of its origin. Unique Learner Numbers A Unique Learner Number (ULN) is a 10 digit reference number which is used both alongside and to provide access the PLR of anyone over the age of 14 involved in UK education or training. Learners will retain the same number for accessing their Personal Learning Record throughout their lives, whatever their level of learning and wherever they choose to participate in education, training and learning. Each ULN is issued and held by the LRS Organisation Portal. The LRS Organisation Portal uses the number to index each learner s identity details, education and training qualifications within the PLR. A unique identifier The 10-digit ULN has been designed to ensure that no additional meaning can be inferred from its structure, for example, geographical location or level of learning. Its purpose is purely to provide a unique identifier for each individual's Personal Learning Record. The ULN is growing in significance as for the first time this identifier will be used for all qualifications from the age of 14 upwards. Currently a separate identifier has been used for schools (UCI) and then a separate ULN was issued at FE/HE level. This caused confusion and through the use of a single identifier there will be greater interaction and easier access to learning records and reports. Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 6

8 Examples of alternative forms of acceptable Evidence This section gives examples of screenshots accepted as alternative evidence when the completion certificates are unavailable. Exclusion from this list does not imply that the awarding organisation screenshots are unacceptable but if you are unsure then please contact your certification body for further guidance. Each screenshot includes information on what information is included that makes the evidence acceptable. If any of the information is missing on your example please try another form of evidence. If you continue to have difficulties then please contact your certification body who will look at the evidence and where required discuss this with the Federation. For data protection there is some data that has been blacked out for the purposes of this document. However this data will need to be clear if using any of these to evidence achievement. Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 7

9 This is a report created from the Personal Learning Record. This report shows the: Apprentices Name Unique Learner Number Provider Awarding Body Qualification Type Qualification Level Grade Date Achieved Therefore is acceptable evidence for ACE. Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 8

10 This is a screen shot from the Learning Records Service detailing information for a specific qualification and shows: Apprentices Name ULN Qualification Type Grade Date Achieved Provider Web link for the screenshot Learning Record Service Logo Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 9

11 This is a screen shot from the Learning Records Service showing an apprentice s Personal Learning Record and shows: Apprentices Name ULN Qualification Type Grade Date Achieved Provider Web link for the screenshot Learning Record Service Logo Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 10

12 This is a screen shot from the City and Guilds data base Walled Garden and shows: Apprentices Name ULN Date Qualification Type (Description) Result (Pass or Conferred is accepted) Centre name (Provider) Web address for the screenshot City and Guilds Logo Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 11

13 This is a candidate history report from the City and Guilds data base Walled Garden and shows: Apprentices Name ULN Date Qualification Type (Description) Result (Pass or Conferred is accepted) Web address for the report City and Guilds Logo Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 12

14 This is a candidate detail example from the Edexcel data base and shows: Apprentices Name Centre Name Award Issue Date Programme Description, Level and Title Result detailing the level and grade of the unit/award Edexcel Logo Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 13

15 This is a candidate detail example from the Edexcel data base and shows: Apprentices Name Centre Name Programme Title and Level Qualification Type Award Date Edexcel Logo Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 14

16 This is a candidate detail example from the OCR data base and shows: Apprentices Name OCR candidate number Scheme Title Unit/Key Skills Level Result Result Date Web address Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 15

17 This is a candidate detail example from the OCR data base and shows: Apprentices Name OCR candidate number Scheme Title Unit/Key Skills Level Grade (where applicable) Date Awarded Web address Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 16

18 This is a screenshot example from the AQA data base and shows: Apprentices Name AQA candidate number Date Title Result AQA logo Web address Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 17

19 This is a candidate detail example from the IMI portal data base and shows: Centre Name Apprentices Name Qualification details: QAN number, title, date achieved, status IMI logo Web address Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 18

20 This is student examination results information from the SIMS data base and shows: Apprentices Name Date Level Awarding Organisation Status Result SIMS logo Signature and date of a the person who accessed the results (examinations Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 19

21 This is student examination results information from the SIMS data base and shows: Apprentices Name Date Level Awarding Organisation Status Result SIMS logo Signature and date of a representative of the school (examinations officer) Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 20

22 Summary As of the 1 st of August 2013 the examples within this document will be accepted as alternative evidence when claiming for an Apprenticeship Completion Certificate on ACE. However these will not replace the use of actual certificates, these will still be the preferred option and be used to evidence achievement wherever possible. If you have any questions as to whether your evidence is acceptable or not please contact your certification body. Guidance on acceptable evidence for training providers June 2013 FISSS 21