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| Welsh Qualifications Authority | |
|---|---|
| Name | Welsh Qualifications Authority |
| Formation | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Cardiff |
| Region served | Wales |
| Leader title | Chief Executive |
Welsh Qualifications Authority
The Welsh Qualifications Authority is a public body based in Cardiff, responsible for developing, accrediting and awarding qualifications for learners in Wales, working with institutions such as Cardiff University, Swansea University, Bangor University, University of South Wales, Aberystwyth University and colleges like Coleg y Cymoedd and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. It engages with devolved institutions including the Senedd Cymru and collaborates with UK-wide bodies such as Ofqual, Qualifications Wales, Education and Skills Funding Agency, Department for Education (United Kingdom), and international partners like the European Qualifications Framework, Council of Europe, UNESCO and OECD. The body interacts with awarding organisations such as Pearson PLC, City and Guilds of London Institute, Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, Cambridge Assessment, and higher education regulators including Office for Students.
The establishment involved consultations with representatives from Welsh Assembly Government, local authorities including Gwynedd Council, Cardiff Council, and education providers such as Bangor Normal School. Early governance referenced frameworks from Secretary of State for Wales offices and drew upon models used by Scottish Qualifications Authority and Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment. Milestones included alignment projects with the Bologna Process and adoption of credit frameworks akin to Regulated Qualifications Framework structures. Key historical interactions featured collaborations with institutions such as Universities UK, the Trades Union Congress, Association of Colleges, and professional bodies like Royal Society of Chemistry and Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Primary responsibilities encompass accreditation, certification and awards for vocational and academic qualifications, working alongside organisations such as Further Education Colleges Association and professional regulators like General Medical Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council. It provides guidance to schools including Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf and inspection partners like Estyn. The organisation develops syllabuses in consultation with subject experts from bodies including Royal Society, British Psychological Society, Institute of Physics, Royal Historical Society, and coordinates with assessment partners such as Pearson PLC, Edexcel, OCR (Exam Board), and Welsh Government departments. It administers controlled assessments used by institutions including Cardiff Metropolitan University and apprenticeship providers like City & Guilds and Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
Governance structures included boards comprising representatives from Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, trade unions like Unison (trade union), employer groups such as Confederation of British Industry, and education interests represented by National Union of Students (United Kingdom). The organisation liaised with statutory auditors and advisory committees featuring members from Royal Academy of Engineering, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and legal advisers connected to cases in courts like the Court of Appeal (England and Wales). Regional engagement reached councils such as Powys County Council and cultural institutions like National Museum Cardiff.
The Authority developed and maintained qualifications across sectors including health and social care with standards influenced by Health and Care Professions Council, construction with input from Construction Industry Training Board, and hospitality with partners such as Institute of Hospitality. It provided services for awarding bodies, schools like Ysgol Glan Clwyd, colleges including Coleg Sir Gâr, and employers such as Cadw and National Health Service (Wales). It managed records and certificates connected to learners progressing to universities including University of Wales Trinity Saint David and professional routes involving Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
Quality assurance procedures echoed practices discussed with Ofsted, Estyn, Office for Students, and professional regulators such as General Optical Council. External quality processes considered benchmarking against frameworks like the European Qualifications Framework and reporting expected by funders such as the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. Audit and compliance involved stakeholders from Audit Wales and inspection outcomes were shared with bodies including Welsh Language Commissioner where Welsh-medium provision at schools such as Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg was affected.
Partnerships extended to international agencies like UNESCO, OECD, and frameworks including the Bologna Process and European Qualifications Framework. Bilateral links involved agencies such as Scottish Qualifications Authority, Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (Northern Ireland), and accreditation bodies in countries collaborating with institutions like Cardiff Metropolitan University and Swansea Metropolitan University. Recognition arrangements considered passports for professional bodies like Royal Institute of British Architects and cross-border learner mobility agreements comparable to those negotiated by Universities UK International.
Critiques have arisen in contexts similar to disputes involving Ofqual and examination boards such as OCR (Exam Board) and Edexcel over grading, standardisation and resits; trade unions like NASUWT and National Education Union have sometimes raised concerns. Controversies mirrored debates seen with Scottish Qualifications Authority around assessment design, and legal challenges referenced courts such as the High Court of Justice and Court of Appeal (England and Wales). Stakeholders including Welsh Local Government Association and learner representatives like National Union of Students (United Kingdom) have at times campaigned for reforms.