Standard setting
New templates
11 March 2008
We have published revised Unit Standard and Qualification templates. More details ...
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is built on a process of consensus. National standards are drafted by expert groups and circulated to stakeholders for comment and contribution. Once standards are agreed to and registered, they are subject to review by stakeholders and experts on a regular basis. This allows for standards to be refined and updated over time.
Framework Registration
Framework Registration is the NZQA business unit that quality assures national standards, national qualifications, NQF classifications, and AMAPs and registers them on the NQF. Framework Registration criteria focus on standards being fit for purpose and capable of consistent interpretation, and qualifications having a clear purpose and relationship to each other that the public can understand.
Standard setting bodies
Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs) are responsible for the quality and credibility of standards submitted to NZQA for registration on the NQF. They work with industry partners, professional groups, and other stakeholders to develop useful and relevant standards and qualifications that are nationally recognised.
| SSB | Description |
|---|---|
| Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) | Develop unit standards and national qualifications for specific industries and professions that are based on the needs of trainees and are supported by industry. Industry training organisations are responsible for about two-thirds of the standards on the NQF. |
| Māori Qualifications Services (MQS) | Develops unit standards, national qualifications, and support material for Field Māori. Recognised Māori experts, in partnership with MQS, form expert groups known as Whakaruruhau' to set national standards and qualifications on the NQF. MQS is an NZQA business unit. |
| National Qualifications Services (NQS) | Develops unit standards and national qualifications that are not the responsibility of an ITO or MQS. The responsibilities of NQS include generic unit standards and qualifications. NQS is an NZQA business unit. |
| Ministry of Education | Develops achievement standards and the NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement). Achievement standards are at levels 1, 2 and 3 on the NQF and cover learning areas related to the school curriculum. |
Page updated: 13 April 2006