Weekly Webinar

Introduction to the VCRF

We held a webinar as an introduction to the new Ofqual VTQ Contingency Regulatory Framework on Tuesday 2nd March as part of our Weekly Webinar series. You can access a recording of this webinar in the secure area of our website here (Centre login required)

Please note that the VCRF covers all of our qualifications, no matter where they are delivered. Please keep up to date with your local government regulations in respect of the delivery of close contact services.

Due to the fact that current information from the VCRF is proposed only and not yet clarified by Ofqual, we are not able to answer all questions submitted at this stage. As soon as the information is released from Ofqual we will update any additional answers here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we will add any frequently asked questions that we receive relating to this webinar.

General Questions

When will the guidance documents be published?

This is an important question and we need to wait for the consultation to close before we can publish anything. Please be assured that we will publish this asap.

Can we start to do practical assessments?

There have been many questions about this recently and VTCT has published information in recent e-shots directly to centres. So, for education settings, practical assessments can go ahead.

End-point assessments are different because they are work-based assessments that have to align with industry and public health guidelines for your local area so you are covid secure.

I have learners doing the Level 3 Technicals. What can I do now to prepare for the summer?

This is one of our PTQ qualifications. As we set out in the slides, the VCRF has been proposed and is not yet confirmed. As such, VTCT is not able to provide our centres with more information at this time. Until that point, we would strongly encourage our centres to focus on teaching and delivery of content once centres re-open and learners are able to return to the classroom.

Is it too late to register a learner?

The first step in the process for supporting your learners on their learning journey is to register them on the qualification. Your Exams Officer will be able to confirm which learners are registered with VTCT.

We would also recommend that you review all in progress learners to withdraw any learners that are no longer at your centre. This was an important first step in the work we did last summer.

Will the EQA still require to see any graded assessments when our industry re-opens?

The EQA arrangements will be confirmed once the proposed VCRF consultation has been completed and Ofqual has responded which will be near the end of March, we will then be able to give further updates on this.

Can the learners work on their education bubbles from the 8th March?

Education in England reopens on the 8th March, other nations will have their own timelines. The decision to proceed with formative or summative assessments in educational settings is the responsibility of centre staff and centre management. Assessments in workplace settings should not go ahead at this time.

Are graded practicals cancelled for the Tech Certificates?

The arrangements for PTQs will be confirmed once the proposed VCRF consultation has been completed and Ofqual has responded which will be near the end of March, we will then be able to give further updates on this.

Do we need to register learner on assessment windows for AM20530?

No. The summer assessment series for AM20530 has been cancelled in line with the Government announcement that all summer exams are cancelled.

Do these proposals apply to VTCT being delivered in Ireland?

Ofqual has worked with regulators across the nations, the VCRF is applicable to all regulated qualifications. The alternative arrangments will be the same for the qualifications regardless of the nation they are delivered in.

Why can’t learners being held in the EPA gateway not be awarded their qualifications as the main NVQ is complete?

All flexibilities and dispensations for End-point assessments and apprenticeships standards are decided and governed by IfATE and assisted by the trailblazer steering group. EPAs and apprenticeship standards are out of scope of the VCRF.

Can we do practical assessments?

Can my Hair VRQ students sit their on demand exams during March?

Yes, there are no restrictions on accessing on-demand theory exams.

Do NVQ learners need to sit all exams?

We will be doing further webinars explaining the differences between the assessments for the VRQs and NVQs.

Are theory exams still happening or can assignments cover these?

This depends on the specific qualification your query relates to. There are no restrictions to accessing on-demand theory exams, however, series based exams have been cancelled.

Shall we start filling out adaption forms from last year?

The documents and processes for VRQs will be confirmed once the proposed VCRF consultation has been completed and Ofqual has responded which will be near the end of March, we will then be able to give further updates on this.

Are we able to use a combination of ManageAssess for our Beauty Qualifications and portfolios for TMM?

Yes, you are able to do this. We would recommend that a group of learners uses Manage Assess for their entire course, however, a second group of learners can use paper-based portfolios if they want.

Can learners studying makeup courses complete make-up assessments on themselves?

The arrangements for our qualifications will be confirmed once the proposed VCRF consultation has been completed and Ofqual has responded which will be near the end of March, we will then be able to give further updates on this.