A view of funding changes by ICQ delivered at Peer Meetup 18th Nov 2016

1. iCQ – A view of funding
changes and trailblazers
Andy Tait
18 November 2016

2. iCQ – an overview of who we are (now)
 An Ofqual accredited RQF Awarding Organisation
 Sectors include general business, finance, logistics, retail, service
enterprises, hospitality, health and social care and more
 Over 200 regulated qualifications
 Most qualifications are funded

3. iLearner – an overview
 iCQ’s integrated, browser-based learner and funding data
management system

4. iLearner – key functions and tools
•Manage learner evidence
•Conduct external and Internal Quality Assurance (on line / real
time)
•Identify gaps in evidence
•Record assessment activities, feedback and time
e-Portfolio
Learner Management
•Track learner progress against target dates
•Identify learners (and assessors) behind schedule
•Complete all good practice documentation on screen
(ILP, reviews, diagnostics, unit allocation)

5. iLearner – key functions and tools
•On screen ILR and unique learner interview significantly reduces
funding administration time
•Manage multiple contracts and sub-contracts
•Ensure SASE compliance
Funding Management
•Map company L&D programmes to qualifications using iLearner
•Add assessment activities and create learner workbooks
Mapping & Activities

6. Tailoring iLearner to our customers needs
 iLearner can be ‘skinned’ to reflect our customers’ website styles
 All users can login to iLearner via our customers’ website or intranet
 Our customers can add additional fields to iLearner to record the
data they need (and report on those fields)
 iCQ certificates can include our customers’ logos

7. Transparent pricing
 iCQ pricing recognises that funding is paid in instalments – so our
prices are end loaded (supporting cash flow)
 Our iLearner registration includes registration for as many
qualifications as the learner needs - ever (supporting progression)
 Certificates - pay on completion – for achievers only
 When iCQ need to increase prices (not every year) – we generally
give 12 months notice

8. Transparent pricing Employability
£10.00
Knowledge
£22.00
Competence
£38.00
Combined
£60.00
iLearner £20.00*
Certificates Levels 1 – 3
Centre approval pa £500.00*
(includes iLearner training)
*+VAT

9. Transparent pricing Employability
£10.00
Knowledge
£30.00
Competence
£45.00
Combined
£75.00
iLearner £20.00*
Certificates Levels 4 +
Centre approval pa £500.00*
(includes iLearner training)
*+VAT

10. Transparent pricing Multiple Choice
£0.00
Private Standards
£0.00
Learning Content
£0.00
Mapping, Activities
£0.00
iLearner £20.00*
Other Functions
*+VAT

11. The future - trailblazer standards (TS)
 TS will replace existing apprenticeship frameworks (by 2020?)
 TS and Assessment Plans are written by employers and approved by
BIS
 TS are usually 2 pages long and include
• Knowledge and understanding
• Skills
• Behaviours

12. Trailblazer standards (TS)
 All TS include an independent end point assessment (EPA)
• EPA must be conducted by an approved assessment organisation
 Apprentices will be graded, where possible
 Maths and English (Functional Skills or GCSE) a requirement
 Minimum 12 months duration and a minimum 20% off-the-job
training

13. A Trailblazer standard
 Extract from Hospitality Team Member

14. Assessment Plan
 Process for Hospitality Team Member
Activities can be completed in any order as long as professional discussion is last
•90 minutes
•Multiple choice questions
On demand
test
•3 hours
•Working in own
department covering
range of skills expected
for the role
Practical
observation •Research an issue /
opportunity to improve
the department – e.g.
way of working, respond
to customer feedback
•Present findings and
recommendation
Project and
presentation
•Structured discussion
•Apprentice, Employer and
Assessor
•Brings the assessment
phase to a close
Professional
discussion

15. Trailblazers
 Existing frameworks are being phased out and replaced by TS
• This should be completed by 2020?
 We have –
• Trailblazer standards
• Trailblazer assessment plans
• Approved standards are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-
standards-ready-for-delivery
 Qualifications are generally not included in the new apprenticeships

16. Trailblazer delivery
 EPA must be conducted by an approved assessment organisation
 Providers can contract with employers to deliver training
 Providers cannot deliver training and EAP to the same employer
 Employers can be providers or an assessment organisation
(Providers will also provide assessment and support to apprentices on an ongoing basis)

17. Employer levy
 2% of employers will pay the levy
 Levy collected from April 2017
 Levy collected by HMRC through PAYE
Source:
Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS

18. GovernmentTraining
Provider
Employer
Receive
training for
apprentice
Claim
funding from
SFA
The objectives: Employer control and simplicity
The objectives: Training provider provides assurance and management
/ forecasting information
The objectives: Get the machinery right to provide a quality service while protecting public purse
“Double lock”
HMRC
collect levy
(PAYE)
Employ
Apprentice
Offer
apprenticeship
training
Price agreed
with
employer
Timely data
on training
Pay for
training with
account
balance
Employer has
online
account
Provide
training to
apprentice
Check
training to
employer
account
Pay provider
Register with
SFA
(Ofsted)
Employer and Provider Identity Assurance
Pass data on levy payments from HMRC to BIS
Unused
balance
expires
Top up
Source:
Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS
DigitalApprenticeshipService
(DAS)willmanagethelevy

19. How TS and the levy (should) work
 Providers must be on the Register of Apprenticeship Training
Providers
 Providers will have contracts with employers and ancillary agreement
with SFA
 Employer contribution from levy or co-investment for non-levy
payers
 Provider payments released by ‘double lock’ – employer commitment
/ monthly data return
Source:
Keith Smith, Director, Levy Implementation, DAS

20. iCQ – an overview of our (trailblazer) future
 iCQ will be an End Point Assessment Organisation for trailblazer
apprenticeship standards
 iCQ will support training providers collect data (required for SfA)
and manage the apprentices learning journey using iLearner

21. The iCQ trailblazer solution
Pre-delivery
Learner
diagnostics
Learner
journey
Learner
management
End Point
Assessment

22. Pre-learning delivery
Map large
employer
programmes to
the standard(s)
Review
mapping with
iCQ
iCQ add
mapping to
iLearner

23. Learner diagnostics – using iLearner
Skills Scan – to
identify
strengths /
weaknesses
Diagnostic
tests (multiple
choice) as
appropriate

24. Learner journey – using iLearner
Add learning
resources
Add milestone
assessment
activities
Set-up bespoke
multiple choice
tests for
employers

25. Learner management – using iLearner
Manage
trainers and
learner reviews
Manage
funding returns
to SfA
Schedule /
record gateway
and EPA
planning
meetings

26. End point assessment – delivered and
recorded on iLearner
Multiple choice
test / portfolio
PD, project,
observation,
other -
recorded by
assessor
Internal quality
assurance and
grading

27. The iCQ complete solution
Pre-delivery
Learner
diagnostics
Learner
journey
Learner
management
End Point
Assessment

28. Any questions?
 And thank you for your time