1.1Who we are

1.2We are the regulator of vocational qualifications (other than degrees) in Northern Ireland, and examinations and assessments (other than degrees) in England. We were established under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act (the ASCL Act) and came into being¹ in April 2010.

1.3We are a non-ministerial government department, accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly and to Parliament.

1.4The ASCL Act gives us specific objectives:

• The qualifications standards objective² is to secure that regulated qualifications:
  • Give a reliable indication of knowledge, skills and understanding
  • Indicate a consistent level of attainment (including over time) between comparable regulated qualifications.
• The assessments standards objective is to promote the development and implementation of regulated assessment arrangements, which:
  • Give a reliable indication of achievement
  • Indicate a consistent level of attainment (including over time) between comparable assessments.
• The public confidence objective is to promote public confidence in regulated qualifications and regulated assessment arrangements.
• The awareness objective is to promote awareness and understanding of:
  • The range of regulated qualifications available
  • The benefits of regulated qualifications to learners, relevent employers and institutions within the higher education sector
  • The benefits to awarding organisations of being recognised.
• The efficiency objective is to secure that regulated qualifications are provided efficiently and, in particular, that any relevant sums payable to a body in respect of a regulated qualification represent value for money.

We report annually to the Northern Ireland Assembly and to Parliament.

1.5Our approach

1.6We are a strategic and risk-based regulator, with a regulatory approach that is proportionate, based on evidence and open to scrutiny. We are transparent in the way we work: we consult both formally and informally on what we do, and we publish our open Board papers and minutes, and the results of our regulatory monitoring, whatever the findings may be.

1.7Our Board

1.8Our Board is the legal authority ultimately responsible for the regulation of qualifications. It provides leadership and direction, setting our strategic aims, values and standards.

1.9Our Board currently comprises 11 non-executive members and our Chief Executive Officer. One of the Board is from Northern Ireland. He represents the interests of Northern Ireland and has been appointed to advise the Board on its aims and objectives for Northern Ireland.

1.10Our Northern Ireland Committee

1.11The Board has established a Regulation of Vocational Qualifications in Northern Ireland Committee to provide us with strategic advice on the implementation and impact of the regulation of vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland. The Committee keeps us informed on stakeholders‟ perspectives, and provides regular feedback from Northern Ireland on policies and ways of working as they are being developed. The Committee also provides a very useful forum for debate and discussion.

1.12The Committee is chaired by the Board member from Northern Ireland, Ray Coughlin. Two additional Board members are also members of the Committee. Eight independent members from Northern Ireland have been appointed through public advertising. Together they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience of the local education, training and skills landscape, coming from further education and training, higher education, private training, the public sector, the learning and development sector, and employment. The Committee meets up to four times a year. The Committee will receive reports on the progress being made against our Equality Duties in Northern Ireland and will be invited to comment on the Scheme , our Action Plans and on other reports concerned with its implementation.

1.13Our staff

1.14We have a team of six people based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but our headquarters are in Coventry, England, where we employ 160 people.