As with any system or process of governance, putting controls or ‘regulation’ in place is important to promote order and stability. Absence of control results in chaos and confusion.
In the UK one of the government departments or organisations assigned to regulated qualifications is The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, also known as ‘Ofqual’.
Ofqual is the independent regulator for qualifications in England. Its role is to ensure that qualifications are sufficient, valid, reliable, and trusted. Ofqual regulates by setting out the rules and parameters that awarding organisations must comply with when designing, delivering, and awarding regulated qualifications within the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF).
The RQF organises qualifications into ‘levels’, graduated in difficulty and complexity from Level1 (entry-level) to Level 8 (equivalent to a doctorate). The process of classification also takes into account total qualification time (which is the total time a qualification is expected to take to complete; TQT), and the guided learning hours (GLH) which refers to the minimum teaching hours a learner should receive. These elements are standardized to properly compare the size and level of qualifications.
Because of these variables and other factors, including the need for a particular qualification, the awarding body (AO) comes into play. The role of an awarding body is to design qualifications that fit the needs of the relevant sector. AO’s implement assessment methods that ensure learner attainment and knowledge is measured fairly and accurately against the demands of the industry.
One of the most trusted awarding bodies is Focus Awards. If you want to have a hassle-free journey from application to certification then check out their website. The company offers a full range of qualifications across 11 commercial sectors, and also provides innovative and flexible price plans to make them affordable and accessible.
