Qualifications Wales passes the test

A Bill that will establish a new body to oversee qualifications in Wales has been passed in the Senedd.

The Qualifications Wales Bill will pave the way for the new, independent, expert body that will regulate awarding bodies and non-degree qualifications and oversee the integrity and rigour of the qualifications system in Wales.

In the Qualified for Life strategy Education Minister, Huw Lewis set out his objective that qualifications achieved in Wales should be nationally and internationally respected and should act as a credible passport to future learning and employment.

Establishing a new body, as recommended by the Review of Qualifications in 2012, is central to achieving this.

It is expected that the Bill will receive Royal Assent over the summer, enabling the new body to take up its functions in September 2015.

The Education Minister said:

“I very much welcome the passing of this Bill through the Assembly. It is a Bill that places the interests of learners right at the heart of the education system in Wales and reflects our Government commitment to ensuring that decisions about qualifications are taken in Wales and in the interests of Welsh learners.

“Once established I expect Qualification Wales to become an expert in regulation and assessment and to shape our future qualifications system.

“As well as being an independent regulator it will be able to carry out research and work closely with educators and the business world to determine their needs and to commission the design and development of new qualifications to meet the needs of Wales.”

The main aims of the new body will be to focus on the effectiveness of qualifications and the qualifications system in meeting the needs of learners in Wales and to  promote public confidence.

In carrying out its work Qualifications Wales will be required to take into account a range of things including  the needs of the Welsh economy and employers, the Welsh language, higher and further education providers and the standards and comparability of qualifications within and beyond Wales.

The Bill does not differentiate between general and vocational qualifications and both fall within the remit of Qualifications Wales.