Transition arrangements for NZQF
01 Dec 2010
NZQA has announced a transition phase to ensure the smooth introduction of new requirements for listing a qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
During the transition phase, which will run until 30 June 2011, NZQA will manage two approval systems (the old and the new) concurrently.
Qualification developers who have advanced plans for new qualifications and have these ready for approval can submit them under the current qualification rules until 31 March 2011.
All qualification developers have until 24 December 2010 to notify NZQA that they wish to submit applications under the current rules. The 24 December date has been set to ensure that all applications will be processed in time to allow the NZQF to be fully operational under the new rules by July 2011 and the beginning of the new financial year.
Qualification developers should include the following information in their notification:
- The title, type and level of the qualification
- The credit value of the qualification
- The subject area of the qualification
- The outcome statement (graduate profile, education and employment pathways, or contribution to the community)
- Qualification developer name and details of contact person.
Notifications and any questions should be directed to: nzqfquestions@nzqa.govt.nz.
The mailbox is cleared daily.
Assessment of new qualifications
As the purpose of the changes is to reduce the number of qualifications at sub-degree level, all new qualifications will be rigorously assessed to ensure they do not duplicate existing qualifications.
From 1 January 2011, a mandatory pre-development assessment stage is being introduced for all qualifications. This will ensure that proposed new qualifications are relevant and necessary and distinctly different from existing qualifications.
Guidelines are being written and a series of workshops developed to help qualification developers apply the new design rules and prepare material in the new format. The guidelines will contain templates and examples of the type of information required. Details of the workshops will be released when planning is complete. They are likely to be similar in concept to the initial round of self-assessment workshops run during 2008 which many in the sector will remember.
Other options for the introduction of the changes, including immediate or delayed implementation, were considered by NZQA and discussed externally with ITP Quality, the Industry Training Federation and NZAPEP. A transition phase with two systems operating side by side was deemed to be the best solution as it enables both the sector and NZQA to prepare for the new environment and the biggest change to qualifications at sub-degree levels in over two decades.
Transition timeline
November 2010: New NZQF requirements announced. Qualification developers may choose to submit qualifications under the old or new rules until 31 March 2011
24 December 2010: Deadline for qualification developers wanting approval for new qualifications under the old rules to advise NZQA that approval is to be sought under the old rules
1 January 2011: All new qualifications must be submitted for pre-development assessment from this date, even if formatted under the old rules.
31 March 2011: Final date for qualification developers who have been progressing with qualification development to submit under the old qualification rules
1 July 2011: NZQF fully operational under new rules.
NZQA has also set up a mailbox where qualification developers or providers can direct questions: NZQFQuestions@nzqa.govt.nz. NZQA will ensure these are answered promptly.
More information
More details on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework and continuing consultation on the Targeted Review of Qualifications are available.