Ofqual publishes annual market report
Monday, 22 March 2010 15:04
Ofqual today issues its annual market report.
The report brings together a range of financial information into a single document, providing an overview of the activity, scale and players within the qualification market. The report estimates the qualifications market to be worth £1 billion annually. All general and vocational qualifications are included.
The key trends reported are:
- An increase in the number of total achievements by learners.
- In 2008-2009 there were 6.1 million achievements in other qualifications, 5.9 million achievements in GCSEs and 2.2 million achievements in GCEs.
- The number of accredited qualifications continues to grow.
- The number of recognised awarding organisations continues to grow.
Under the new Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009, one of Ofqual's key objectives will be to secure efficiency and value for money in regulated qualifications. This report will be used to inform that future work.
The report is published by Ofqual and its regulatory partners in Wales (DCELLS) and Northern Ireland (CCEA).
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Notes to editors.
1. The £1 billion estimated value is an initial estimate based on limited available information and should only be taken as an illustrative figure.
2. The report can be downloaded from www.ofqual.gov.uk/files/2010-03-19-Annual-Market-Report.pdf.
3. The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act, which gained Royal Assent on Thursday, November 12, 2009, included the provision for Ofqual to be established as an independent statutory body with responsibilities for the regulation of general and vocational qualifications in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.
4. For more information contact the Ofqual press office on 0300 303 3342 or 07798 924552 out of hours
