The diverse range of vocational and technical qualifications, with differences in students and settings and the way qualifications are delivered is seen as a strength, according to those surveyed in Ofqual’s recent study of internal assessment for national vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs).

Whilst recognising that the VTQ sector “is a highly complex space for regulation”, Ofqual’s research study acknowledged that VTQs afford internal assessors the flexibility to deliver qualifications which engage learners and prepare them to meet the needs of local employers. The assessors interviewed spoke highly of the internal assessments with which they worked for the ‘real world’ preparation they gave to students.

Whilst internal assessors in the study rarely talked about the complexity of the system, they did express frustrations about the frequency of reform in the sector. The findings show that despite being generally highly experienced and confident in their ability to deliver assessments, regular change in the content and structure of VTQs made it harder for internal assessors to keep up with assessment requirements.

The study concludes with a note of caution when looking to make changes or improvements to internal assessment: “The assessment system is a complex network of interconnecting parts; any attempts to strengthen one part could well undermine other elements of the system”. There was a perceived risk from internal assessors that additional regulatory controls could adversely affect the value of certain qualifications.

Ofqual intends to conduct further research into internal assessment in this sector.