Updated 31.03.2021 16:45
Ofqual has released their interactive 2021 Qualifications Explainer Tool to find out how your qualifications will be assessed and awarded in 2021.
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) have announced an additional discretionary option of a package of evidence and professional discussion to replace an EPA, for circumstances where it is not possible for an EPA to take place, or in exceptional circumstances where it would not be appropriate to proceed with a practical EPA in a salon environment. To read more, click here.
Following recent announcements by the Government on the lifting of coronavirus restrictions, Further Education Colleges and Independent Training Providers offering regulated qualifications can return to face to face teaching and assessment from the 8th March onwards.
Ofqual’s regulatory arrangements permit awarding organisations to make adjustments to qualifications and assessments to take account of the impact of the pandemic and the need to comply with public health guidance. Any adaptations we make will maintain the validity and reliability of occupational qualifications.
We are committed to supporting centres and learners throughout this time and have already published a toolkit of adaptations for different qualifications to support learners. We will keep these documents under review to take into account any decisions from Ofqual’s current consultation on their VTQ Contingency Regulatory Framework.
For information specific to Performance Table Qualifications (PTQs), please click here.
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Specific Qualification Information
Performance Table Qualifications (PTQs)
Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs)
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
End-point Assessments (EPA)
New VTCT Infection Prevention Qualifications
Information on our suite of sector-specific Infection Prevention Qualifications can be found by clicking the button below.
Commencing 15th March VTCT is pleased to announce arrangements that provide greater flexibility to centres, to support learners with completing the mandatory pre-requisite Infection Prevention (COVID-19) qualifications.
VTCT now have a number of options for completing these qualifications via either online examination or downloadable paper-based exams, as well as other adaptions where appropriate. Certificates for these pre-requisite qualifications should now be claimed as per the standard process for all other VTCT qualifications. Guidance on how to complete certificate claims can be found in the Support Guides & Webinars section of Linx2. Alternatively, centres can contact our Customer Support team on +442380 684 500 or customersupport@vtct.org.uk for further assistance.
Certification Update
Following the re-opening of schools, colleges and training providers in England on 8th March, VTCT and iTEC are pleased to confirm that main certificate printing/dispatch services will resume from 1st April 2021.
Certificates posted to:
- Centres in the UK are sent 2nd Class via Royal Mail’s Signed For service
- Centres in the EU are sent 2nd Class via Royal Mail’s International Tracked and Signed service
If your centre is still not in a position to receive deliveries due to the impacts of COVID-19, please let us know by 1st April. You can contact the Processing Department directly at certification@vtct.org.uk or call our Customer Support Team on 02380 684 500.
If your centre is affected by future COVID-19 restrictions or lockdowns, please ensure VTCT/iTEC are kept updated. VTCT/iTEC cannot take responsibility for any loss due to unknown centre closures.
Centre Re-opening Information
VTCT want to support centres in re-opening safely and will shortly be updating the guidance information for centres to follow.
It will be the responsibility of the centre and training provider to ensure that the information is adhered to when preparing for internal practical assessments within the training environment.
Weekly Webinars
In 2021, the weekly webinars will be held on Tuesdays at 10am – Register here