Support for Qualifications within Lifelong Learning UK's footprint
Tuesday, 23 March 2010 15:31
The qualifications regulators in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have received advice from UKCES that they have suspended the Sector Skills Council (SSC) Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) from the UK Vocational Reform Programme. In addition to this notification, UKCES have provided the regulators with details of the reasons for the suspension that relate to the capacity of LLUK to 'approve of' qualifications. After considering this information the regulators will no longer require SSC approval for any qualifications falling within the LLUK footprint as set out in the Regulatory arrangements for the Qualifications and Credit Framework criterion 6.2 b.
Instead, in line with the rest of the requirements set out in criterion 6.2 b, the regulators will consider for this time that the proposed qualification does not fall within an SSC footprint and therefore will require awarding organisations to "detail the support of appropriate representative or regulatory organisations and/or evidence of learner demand, individual or social benefit."
During the suspension organisations may still wish to work with the SSC to obtain their support for the qualification as a part of the means of demonstrating that there is the appropriate demand and support for the qualification. For the period of suspension this will not be a requirement though.
For further information concerning these arrangements please contact John Skipworth, Recognition and Accreditation Advisor, Ofqual, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Mobile 07970 650634.
