Northern Ireland

Friday, 05 March 2010 00:55

Background to Ofqual in Northern Ireland

The office in Belfast has been in existence since May 1996. It was first established by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) to regulate National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).

In 1997 the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) was established. This new regulatory body merged the NCVQ with SCAA, the regulatory body for general qualifications (mainly schools). The NI team were transferred into QCA which retained regulatory responsibility for NVQs in Northern Ireland. Regulation of all other qualifications, including vocational qualifications, was assigned to CCEA.

In September 2007, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families announced his intention to establish an independent regulator for qualifications, examinations and tests in England. Ofqual was established in April 2008 as an interim body, operating as part of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, in anticipation of the legislation that would establish it as an independent body.

In Northern Ireland the proposed establishment of the Education Skills Authority would have resulted in CCEA no longer existing so the 2008 Education & Skills Act extended the regulatory remit of the QCA in NI to cover all vocational qualifications.

In April 2010 the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act formally established Ofqual as an independent regulator of qualifications, examinations and assessments in England and of vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland and as such it is accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly and has a requirement to lay copies of annual and other reports before the Assembly.

The Northern Ireland team

The Northern Ireland team are part of the Regulation Group within Ofqual and Fiona Pethick, Director of Regulation, has overall responsibility for Ofqual’s work in Northern Ireland. The team comprises six permanent members of staff. Five are full time and one (Marianne Johnston) is on a career break.

Joan Gormley is Head of Operations, Northern Ireland. Joan is responsible for planning and managing Ofqual’s activities in Northern Ireland to ensure they reflect local policies and priorities, and for liaising with strategic stakeholders, including Government officials, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Regulation of Vocational Qualifications in Northern Ireland Committee. Joan is also a member of Fiona’s regulation group management team.

Jennifer Todd is the Northern Ireland Communication Manager and responsible for the Communication Plan for Northern Ireland. Jennifer is also responsible for engaging with employers, providers, learners and other key stakeholders to gather their views on the benefits/issues relating to VQs to understand the VQ landscape in Northern Ireland.

Paul McNeill is the Northern Ireland Regulation Manager. Paul is responsible for managing the team’s contribution to Ofqual’s VQ regulation activities (e.g. recognition, accreditation and monitoring) as well as contributing his expertise to specific regulatory projects.

Fran Dowler is the Northern Ireland Special Projects/Regulation Co-ordinator. Fran works on a range of special projects across Ofqual and contributes to the work of the Awarding Organisation Performance Team on a range of regulatory areas including monitoring activities.

Pauline Jenkins is the Northern Ireland Corporate Service Co-ordinator and is responsible for supporting Ofqual’s business and team in Northern Ireland, including budget management and communication functions. Pauline also supports the NI Board Member and Regulation of Vocational Qualification in Northern Ireland Committee.

The Regulation of Vocational Qualifications in Northern Ireland Committee

The Ofqual Board established a Northern Ireland committee to support the effective regulation of vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland. Ofqual’s Regulation of Vocational Qualifications in Northern Ireland Committee met for the first time on 8 November 2010.

Following an external recruitment process, six independent members were appointed to the Committee for up to three years. In addition to the independent members, the Ofqual Board has also appointed three Ofqual Board members to the Committee, Sandra Burslem, Ray Coughlin and Maggie Galliers. Ray Coughlin is the Northern Ireland representative on the Ofqual Board and is the Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee.

The independent members of the Committee are:

• Trevor Carson, training services for FE and training provider background
• Justin Edwards, FE background
• Catherine O’Mullan, FE background
• Elsbeth Rea, social services and criminal justice background
• Therese Rogan, training and HE background
• Donna Sheerin, private training organisation background

The Committee provides strategic advice to Ofqual on the direction, implementation and impact of its regulation of vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.

We are currently seeking to appoint two new members to our Regulation of Vocational Qualifications in Northern Ireland Committee. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals wishing to help inform the regulatory system for vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland. As an independent member of the Committee you will play a key role in providing Ofqual with views and perspectives that reflect the interests of our key stakeholders in Northern Ireland.
Get more information and find out how to apply.

For more information about our work in Northern Ireland, contact our offices at:

Ofqual,
2nd Floor,
Glendinning House,
6 Murray Street,
Belfast BT1 6DN.

Telephone: 028 9033 0706
Fax: 028 9023 1621
Textphone: 0300 303 3345

Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 October 2011 12:41 Tags: Northern Ireland