FIELD                        BUSINESS

 

Review of Quality Management qualification

 

National Certificatein Quality Management [Ref: 0369]

 

The National Qualifications Services (NQS) of NZQA has completed the review of the qualification listed above that was registered in September 1997.

 

Date new version published                        December 2004

 

A review panel that included industry, tertiary provider, and Tertiary Assessment and Moderation representation met in 2003 to review the quality management unit standards and the National Certificate in Quality Management.  A consultation draft of the reviewed qualification was circulated through tertiary provider and industry networks in 2004, and a final draft was endorsed by NQS's Business and Management Advisory Steering Group in June 2004.

 

Although the qualification has not been awarded often since it was first registered, it continues to provide a pathway to higher level qualifications for people in the workplace.  The qualification may be considered for review earlier than 2008 depending on the outcomes of a review of Business and First Line Management qualifications, initiated in June 2004 with an expected completion date in 2005.

 

Main changes resulting from the review

 

Changes to structure and content

·               Qualification pathways were clarified in the purpose statement.

·               Changes have been made to title, level, or credit for unit standards 8077, 8078, 8081, 8082, 8085, 8086 and 9734 to reflect changes made at review.

·               Unit standards 8081 and 8082 were moved from the compulsory section to a new option.  Candidates must either present credit for both these standards or the new unit standard 20849.

·               Unit standards 8072, 8075, 8079, 8080, 8083 and 8090, which were designated as expiring during the unit standard review, were removed from the elective.

·               Unit standard 7460 was removed from the elective because of its high level in relation to the target group of the qualification.

·               Unit standards 7449, 7458, 8500, 9696, 9704, 10671, 10674, 10679, 11099 and 19025 were included in the electives to increase flexibility and to allow recognition of additional skills and knowledge particularly relevant to people working in a quality management context.

 

Transition

 

People currently working towards version 1 of this qualification may either complete the requirements for that version or transfer their results to this version of the qualification.  Providers are encouraged to offer programmes based on the new requirements from December 2004.

 

Final date for award of the replaced version is December 2008.