The Transferability of Vocational Qualifications

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The Transferability of Vocational Qualifications

• Reflections on some practical strategies
  developed by the WVLLN

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Western Vocational Lifelong Learning Network

• Partnership
• Bath
• Bath Spa
• Bristol
• Gloucestershire
• Open University
• Royal Agricultural College
• University of the West of England
• And all partner FE colleges

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• The key objective for LLNs was therefore to
  bring greater clarity, coherence and certainty to
  progression opportunities for learners on
  vocational programmes, and to do so in the
  context of a commitment to lifelong learning so
  that learners can move between different kinds
  of vocational and academic programmes as their
  interests, needs and abilities develop (HEFCE
  12/2004)

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Vertical - v Lateral / Progression

• The A Level experience
• The vocational trap
• Are we proprietorial?

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Why this approach?Initial LLN context

• Relatively clear slate
• Progression team held extensive discussions with
  learners tutors and admissions tutors
• Strategic approach 16-19 then adults

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Developing the evidence base

• Skills mapping into Level 4
• Not just generic skills, but specific subject
  related matches
• Carried out by progression team independently
  validated by subject specialists

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Range of National Diplomas mapped BTEC National Diplomas in the following sectors were reviewed for evidence of curriculum matching National Diplomas with significant skills match BTEC National Diplomas where sufficient curriculum matching is in evidence for progression to Level 4 Business
Art Design Business Construction Engineering Hair Beauty Health Care Hospitality and Catering IT and Computing Land-based Media, Music Performing Arts Public Services Retail Science Sport Travel and Tourism Business Construction Engineering Hospitality Catering IT Computing Land-based Media, Music Performing Arts Public Services Retail Travel and Tourism
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Evidence of curriculum/subject matching between BTEC National Diplomas Level Business Evidence of curriculum/subject matching between BTEC National Diplomas Level Business
Name of BTEC National Diploma Transferable subject skills match to Level 4 Business
Engineering Business Systems Customer Care E-Commerce Business Improvement
IT and Computing E-Commerce Business Information Systems Calculations Management Information Systems Marketing Resources Database Management Systems Business IT
Media, Music and Performing Arts Promotion Event Management Developing a Small Business Production Management The Freelance World Advertising Marketing Public Relations Working Freelance
Retail Customer Service Human Resources Management Merchandising promotion Selling Consumer behaviour/ protection Marketing Finance
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Progression Agreement Articulating
Transferability
Level 3 Qualification
Level 4 6 Qualification

Business and Management
Key
Transferable skills content
Business Skills Content
Business Studies
Subject Specific Skills Content
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Outcomes (1)

• Signed agreements by all partners giving parity
  of consideration to BTEC applicants
• Acceptance remains an institutional decision
  based upon whole profile of the learner but they
  are in the cut
• Growing indicators from admission tutors of
  positive response

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Outcomes (2)

• Process work with admission tutors, registry
  staff and FE staff
• Wider knowledge and understanding of BTEC
  qualifications
• Better ways to present students case
• Better sources of additionality

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On-going Work

• Housekeeping and maintenance.
• Support for learners (and tutors) to make
  opportunity real. IAG tool / Enabling Curriculum
  to build confidence, skills, support transition.
• We need to break away from a deficit model of
  compensatory action for vocational learners and
  recognise the strength and validity of vocational
  qualifications in their own right.