Questions and Answers

What's the problem the targeted review is seeking to address?

The targeted review of the qualifications system has highlighted issues that the Government is seeking to resolve, by proposing strategic improvements to the system.

The targeted review has found that the qualifications system:

• is generally poorly understood by the people for whom it was designed
• lacks relevance to some employers and industry
• lacks coherence, user-friendliness, clarity and currency
• has allowed the ongoing proliferation of qualifications that are substantially the same
• is confusing because the National Qualifications Framework is a subset of the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications.

The review investigated these concerns and the requirements of others (quality assurance bodies, standard setting bodies and qualifications developers) to identify where any problems were.

Why a targeted review of the qualifications system?

Enhancing the relevance and timeliness of education and training supply is one way of addressing skill shortages and improving skills acquisition.

Employers and industry groups have documented a number of concerns with the usefulness of the current qualifications system. These concerns generally focus on its user-friendliness and relevance. The targeted review sought to address these concerns.

What does the targeted review seek to achieve?

The most recent outcome of the targeted review has been the development of a package of seven major changes designed to make the qualifications system more user-friendly and relevant.

The changes are:

1. Develop a unified New Zealand qualifications framework.
2. Require the use of existing quality-assured qualifications and change the design rules for national (standards-based) and New Zealand qualifications to allow for more inclusion of local components.
3. Require mandatory periodic reviews of qualifications to determine whether they are still fit for purpose.
4. Strengthen and standardise qualification outcome statement requirements.
5. Introduce a mandatory pre-development assessment stage for qualifications developers.
6. Strengthen recognised industry involvement in qualification development.
7. Provide the public with clear information about whether a qualification is active, inactive or closed.

The changes are currently being consulted with the sector. For further discussion on these changes, refer to the consultation paper.

Why the focus on certificate and diploma levels?

The targeted review focuses on certificate and diploma levels (levels 1 to 6 on the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications, excluding NCEA) because the large number of these qualifications means that this area is where there is most likely to be a lack of clarity about connections between qualifications and skills.

Where did the suggestion for a targeted review come from?

The targeted review was part of the New Zealand Skills Strategy Action Plan 2008, developed by the previous government, Business New Zealand, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and the Industry Training Federation. The targeted review fits well with the National-led government's focus on ensuring public services better meet the requirements of their users. It further fits with the Summit on Employment skills and transition focus of improving matching of supply and demand for training.

What will the targeted review do?

The targeted review will identify if there is a more effective way to align the design and development of qualifications with current or future industry needs, and the needs of individuals. The targeted review will consider the qualifications system's responsiveness, with regard to content and timeliness, and the effectiveness of qualifications in communicating the skills and knowledge of the holder to employers and individuals.

The targeted review of the qualifications system focuses on diploma and certificate levels. 

What is the role of NZQA and the Ministry of Education in the review?

The Ministry of Education and NZQA are jointly leading the targeted review. Business New Zealand, the Industry Training Federation, New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics of New Zealand, Tertiary Education Commission and Department of Labour actively participate. Te Tauihu o Ngā Wānanga and the private training establishment sector are also involved. In addition, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics Quality, Industry Training Organisations, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics, and business representatives are involved.

What is the Project Leaders Group?

The Project Leaders Group for the targeted review provides active participation for its members. It guides and supports the overall direction of the targeted review. Membership of the Project Leaders Group includes the Ministry of Education, NZQA, the Tertiary Education Commission, the Department of Labour, Business New Zealand, the Industry Training Federation, the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics New Zealand, the Private Training Establishment sector and Te Tauihu o Nga Wānanga.

Project Leaders Group membership organisations include:

What is the Working Group for the targeted review?

A small inter-agency Working Group carries out the day-to-day development and co-ordination role for the project.

The Working Group's membership is:

How does the targeted review relate to the standards review?

The targeted review has links with the standards review project that the Ministry of Education and NZQA are working on. We are reviewing achievement and curriculum related unit standards, as part of the joint programme of improvements to NCEA. The review is required to align standards to the revised New Zealand Curriculum. The review will also address any issues of duplication of standards, credit parity, consistency, fairness and coherence, one of the series of improvements to NCEA. These issues are of interest to the targeted review project. The Working Group and the standards review team will continue to work together to ensure alignment. 

How does the targeted review relate to the new quality assurance framework?

A key objective of the evaluative approach to quality assurance is the development of an outcomes focussed system based on self-assessment linked to an independent external review. Relevance and responsiveness to stakeholder needs are key features that underpin the evaluative approach. Relevance and responsiveness are also fundamental to a credible and robust qualifications system.

How does the targeted review relate to the literacy, language and numeracy?

Embedding literacy, language and numeracy requirements in qualifications that are relevant to the sector or subject or industry will impact on qualifications design processes. The Working Group with continue to work together with the team that is leading the literacy, language and numeracy programme of work to ensure alignment. 

Page updated: 23 June 2009