QUALIFICATIONS WALES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RULES ABOUT APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL AND DESIGNATION OF QUALIFICATIONS.

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1 QUALIFICATIONS WALES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RULES ABOUT APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL AND DESIGNATION OF QUALIFICATIONS Version control This version (2) of Qualifications Wales Rules about Applications for Approval and Designation was approved on [9 December 2015] by the Qualifications Wales Board. Formal reviews of this document will take place at least every two years and will include a review of the effectiveness of the rules and its currency. Its next review is due to take place no later than 30 September Feedback from the public on this policy is welcomed in the meantime. Please send your comments to contact@qualificationswales.org. General Principles of the Rules About Applications For Approval And Designation This document is for a recognised awarding body who wishes to apply to for its qualification to be approved or designated by Qualifications Wales. Under section 24 of the Qualifications Wales Act 2015 we must make rules about the making of applications to us for the approval of qualifications. Similarly under section 33 of the Qualifications Wales Act 2015 we must make rules about the making of applications to us for the designation of qualifications. The aims of the rules are to provide: clarity to a recognised awarding body on the information that Qualifications Wales needs to be able to consider a qualification for approval or designation. clarity to a recognised awarding body on the process to apply for its qualification to be approved or designated. Before applying, an awarding body should read this document in conjunction with any published: List of Priority Qualifications. Any policy of approval of non priority qualifications. Approval criteria which are relevant to the qualification in question. Criteria for designating a qualification. In due course Qualifications Wales will be launching the Qualifications in Wales IT system. This system will replace these current rules. CONTENTS RULES ABOUT APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL AND DESIGNATION ANNEX A - APPLICATION FORM FOR APPROVAL ANNEX B - APPLICATION FORM FOR DESIGNATION

2 RULES ABOUT APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL AND DESIGNATION 1. An awarding body may only apply for approval or designation by submitting a qualification through the Regulatory Information Technology System (RITS) An awarding body must complete all the relevant fields on RITS correctly. 3. An awarding body must tick the Offered in Wales and the Will you be applying for funding in Wales boxes for a qualification to be considered for approval or designation. 4. The qualification will feed into DAQW as pending an approval or designation decision. Qualifications Wales will then the awarding body attaching the relevant form at Annex A or Annex B, and the awarding body will need to submit the completed form to recognitionandapprovals@qualificationswales.org by a specified date. 5. On request, an awarding body must submit the evidence they state they have to support its application for its qualification to be approved or designated. 6. An awarding body must only submit a qualification for approval where it is satisfied that the qualification is on the List of Priority Qualifications or meets any criteria for approval of non priority qualifications and meets the relevant approval criteria. 7. An awarding body must only submit a qualification for designation where it is satisfied that the qualification is not on the List of Priority Qualifications and meets the criteria for designation. 1

3 ANNEX A - APPLICATION FORM FOR APPROVAL Awarding body name e.g. XYZ Awarding Body Qualification name e.g. XYZ Level 3 in Structural Engineering RITS number e.g Approval criteria the qualification e.g. Approval criteria for meets engineering List of evidence that shows the qualifications meets the approval criteria 2 We have checked the List of Priority Qualifications and any criteria for the approval of non priority qualifications and we believe the qualification is on the List or meets criteria for approval of non priority qualifications. We have checked the approval criteria and we believe the qualification meets the approval criteria. We have completed and submitted our qualification through RITS. I am authorised by my awarding body to make this submission. Name Job title Contact telephone number Contact address 2 Where required we will ask for the evidence listed or other evidence to show whether a qualification is meets the requirements.

4 ANNEX B - APPLICATION FORM FOR DESIGNATION Awarding body name e.g. XYZ Awarding Body Qualification name e.g. XYZ Level 3 in Structural Engineering RITS number e.g Please list the evidence that shows the qualifications meets the matters that Qualifications Wales will take into account in deciding whether to designate a qualification 3 i. whether there is evidence of substantiated demand for the qualification from an identified cohort of candidates in Wales. ii. whether there is evidence that the qualification is relevant, where applicable, in a Welsh context (for example references to Welsh legislation and policies). iii. whether there is evidence that the qualification is appropriate for the age ranges selected. In particular if qualification is primarily awarded to a course of education or training normally undertaken by pre 16 learners the qualification should not attest to occupational competence or be focused on specific occupations rather it should offer a general introduction to an industry sector. iv. whether there is evidence of support from relevant professional 3 Where required we will ask for the evidence listed or other evidence to show whether a qualification is meets the requirements.

5 bodies, subject representatives or industry representatives for the qualification to be designated in Wales. In particular, in relation to qualifications in the field of early years, childcare and social care qualifications, there must be evidence that the qualification is supported by The Care Council for Wales. v. that the qualification does not appear on the List of Priority Qualifications. vi. that Qualifications Wales has not published any approval criteria for the qualification and has not indicated that it will be considering applications for approval for this qualification. We have checked the matters Qualifications Wales will take into account in deciding whether to designate a form of qualification we believe the qualification meets these matters. We have completed and submitted our qualification through RITS. I am authorised by my awarding body to make this submission. Name Job title Contact telephone number Contact address