Direction for Vocational Qualifications assessment and awarding in Northern Ireland for 2021-2022 received from Department for the Economy (DfE)
CCEA Regulation has today, 6 September 2021, received direction from the Department for the Economy (DfE) to align Northern Ireland (NI) vocational qualifications regulation to the OFQUAL Revised Vocational Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF) for the 21/22 academic year.
The Ofqual revised Vocational Contingency Regulatory Framework (revised VCRF) published on 6 August 2021, has removed the use of teacher assessed grades (VCRF Category B qualifications) and put in place a return to normal assessment practices with suitable adaptations in place. This means that vocational examinations and other assessments will go ahead in line with normal arrangements in 2021/22.
In addition, CCEA Regulation will consider experience from 2020-21 and the effects of the pandemic on centres and learners, and will ensure that NI specific needs are appropriately recognised by awarding organisations. Awarding Organisations have been contacted to advise of DfE direction and corresponding regulatory requirements, and so centres should hear shortly from awarding organisations regarding qualifications arrangements. In light of this direction, CCEA Regulation will be hosting a webinar to discuss the approach to vocational and technical qualifications 2021-22 and will notify an agreed date in the coming weeks.
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