Northern Ireland intends to move to a single qualifications regulator.

Currently, Ofqual regulates vocational qualifications and CCEA regulates general qualifications in Northern Ireland, but from 1 April 2016, subject to the necessary legislative amendments, CCEA will become the single qualifications regulator.

The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) in Northern Ireland and the Department for Education in Westminster are seeking to amend the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act to remove Ofqual’s statutory responsibilities to regulate vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.  These arrangements were put in place in 2010 as Ofqual was established, with a review scheduled so that the Northern Ireland Government could consider long-term arrangements.

Ofqual and CCEA are working together to ensure the necessary transition arrangements are in place, and this process will not result in any changes to Ofqual’s statutory duties in England.