NZQA National Qualifications Services has completed the review of the qualifications listed above, as part of the mandatory review of Computing and Information Technology (IT) qualifications.
New Zealand Certificate in Computing (User Fundamentals) (Level 2) [Ref: 2591] New Zealand Certificate in Computing (Intermediate User) (Level 3) [Ref: 2592] New Zealand Certificate in Computing (Advanced User) (Level 4) [Ref: 2593]
New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4) [Ref: 2594]
The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2019.
This review follows the development of New Zealand qualifications in Computing and Information Technology, as part of the mandatory review of ICT qualifications. The mandatory review included all computing and information technology qualifications at Levels 2-6 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.
The mandatory review involved broad consultation with the sector, including notification of the intention to expire the national computing qualifications as part of the mandatory qualifications review process. Stakeholders confirmed the ongoing need for qualifications in these areas that would recognise graduate capabilities and provide education pathways.
The existing National Certificates [Refs: 0010, 0011, and 0236] have each been designated Category C and replaced by New Zealand qualifications, as detailed below. There is no direct replacement for the existing National Diploma [Ref: 0302], which has been designated Category D. However there are level 5 New Zealand qualifications included in the revised suite.
National Certificate in Computing (Level 2) [Ref: 0010]
replaced by
Review category | C | See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
National Certificate in Computing (Level 3) [Ref: 0011]
replaced by
Review category | C | See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
National Certificate in Computing (Level 4) [Ref: 0236]
replaced by
Review category | C | See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
National Diploma in Computing (Level 5) with optional strands in Management, Operations, Support, Generic Computing, and Software Development [Ref: 0302]
Review category | D | See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report |
Candidates enrolled in programmes leading to the National Certificate in Computing (Level 2) [Ref: 0010] or the National Certificate in Computing (Level 3) [Ref: 0011] may choose to complete or transfer their achievement to the replacement qualifications.
Candidates enrolled in programmes leading to the National Certificate in Computing (Level
4) [Ref: 0236] may choose to complete or transfer to either the New Zealand Certificate in Computing (Advanced User) (Level 4) [Ref: 2593] or the New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4) [Ref: 2594].
The last date for entry into programmes leading to the existing National Certificates is 31 December 2017 with a last date for assessment of the qualifications of 31 December 2018.
The National Diploma in Computing (Level 5) with optional strands [Ref: 0302] is expiring without direct replacement. The last date for entry into programmes leading to it is March 2016, with a last date for assessment of the qualification of 31 December 2017.
Providers of the National Diploma in Computing (Level 5) with optional strands [Ref: 0302] were advised that many of the Level 5 computing unit standards that are components of this qualification were reviewed as Category D in October 2008, and designated to expire in December 2011. In July 2011 the expiry was extended to December 2015, to minimise the impact on providers during the transition to new qualifications that would be developed as part of the mandatory review of qualifications. No new or extension of consent to assess could be granted during the extended expiry phase.
This qualification includes some expiring unit standards for which there are no replacements. Sufficient credits required to achieve the Management Optional Internal Strand Optional Strand will not be available past December 2015. After this date, this strand will no longer be achievable.
Some expiring standards required to achieve the base qualification and strands have had their expiry date changed to match the expiry date of the qualification. An extension of the expiry date of 26 expiring standards to December 2017 will maintain the achievability of
the qualification and four of the optional strands during the transition to new qualifications.
People should not be enrolled in programmes leading to the award of these qualifications unless there is sufficient time available to them to complete the programme and be awarded the qualification before it expires.
It is the intention of the qualification developer that no existing learner should be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements. Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged may contact the existing qualification owner at the address below.
NZQA National Qualifications Services PO Box 160
Wellington 6140
Telephone 04 463 3000 Email nqs@nzqa.govt.nz
Website http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/
Category A The qualification is published as a new version with the same NQF ID | Changes are made to SSB name, contact details or purpose statement |
No change is made to title, rules or components of the qualification | |
No transition arrangements are required | |
Category B The qualification is published as a new version with the same NQF ID | Changes are made to title, rules or components |
The new version of the qualification recognises a similar skill set to that recognised by the previous version | |
The SSB is confident that people awarded the new or previous version are comparable in terms of competence | |
Transition arrangements are required if candidates must gain additional/different credits for the new version | |
Category C A new (replacement) qualification is published with new NQF ID | Significant changes are made to the qualification in terms of components, structure, type or level |
The SSB views people with the replacement qualification as being significantly different in terms of competence from those with the replaced qualification | |
Transition arrangements are required | |
Transition may be limited to phase-out dates | |
Category D Qualification will expire. There is no replacement qualification | Qualification is no longer required by industry |
The qualification is designated as expiring and a last date for meeting the qualification requirements is set |