�

The newly set up National Qualifications Services (NQS) are on task to develop and service the needs of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Manager Anne Longworth started in January 2001. She is proud of the knowledge and energy of the NQS team that she believes is ready to meet the challenges of the next three years.

One of her goals is to ensure that the work of the team is made more visible and recognised. Networking and responding to feedback are the building blocks upon which this unit carries out its activities.

So what exactly is the role of NQS?

NQS is responsible for the development, maintenance and promotion of unit standards and national qualifications that are not the responsibility of an Industry Training Organisation (ITO), the National Standards Body Māori , or the Ministry of Education.

Anne suggests that NQS is "New Zealand's largest ITO" in terms of its management of unit standards and qualifications.

There are 48 ITOs dealing with a huge subject range - what does NQS deal with?

NQS is responsible for approximately one-half of the unit standards and one-eighth of the qualifications on the Framework. This includes science, information technology, health, education, early childhood, visual and performing arts, computing, humanities, core skills, animal care and handling, beauty and alternative health.

How do generic skills fit in?

Generic unit standards have common components across vocational qualifications. They allow people to gain knowledge and skills that are relevant to a variety of contexts. Generic unit standards and qualifications must be flexible enough to meet the needs of people in learning environments as well as the workplace.

NQS has the responsibility for the development and promotion of generic unit standards such as US 1277, Communicate information in a specified workplace or US 1304, Communicate with people from other cultures. Examples of generic qualifications are the National Certificate of Employment Skills and the National Certificate in First Line Management.

Where do the National Standards Bodies fit in?

A recent legal opinion pointed out that the Authority is not entitled to delegate its powers and responsibilities to groups like the National Standards Bodies. So these bodies have been disestablished. NQS will continue to use the expertise of members of these groups, but the Authority is deemed the only legal standard setting body (other than NSB Māori ) for non-ITO Framework qualifications with the responsibility to set standards and moderate assessment.

How does NQS carry out its responsibilities?

NQS is made up of a manager, Anne Longworth, executive officer, Jane Stewart-Dickson, and three project officers: Roger Booth, Michel Norrish and Darryl Jellyman. Specialist people are contracted to work on some development projects.

NQS works in consultation with the National Qualifications Committee, a committee of the NZQA Board. The committee is made up of representatives from a broad range of industry and educational interests.

Networking is essential to how NQS carries out its activities. The unit liaises with over 80 advisory networks plus other stakeholders. Within NZQA, NQS has a working relationship with Moderation Services, Quality Assurance Sevices, Learner Information, Framework Registration, Māori Qualifications Development and Pacific Island Liaison.

Priorities emerge as a result of this networking process, as well as Government initiatives, feedback received and the study of statistics on the usage of unit standards. Existing unit standards are maintained and annual priorities for new projects are developed.

Anne says the aim is to identify gaps in response to feedback rather than go out and find areas where unit standards and national qualifications are lacking.

Other functions to be undertaken by NQS include looking after those nationally registered qualifications that are not on the Framework.

What is NQS currently working on?

Current projects include science/maths technology, computing and information technology, Pacific people's qualifications, employment law, visual and performing arts and core skills. Such projects are often, but not always, government initiatives - and always partnership projects.

However, keeping the Framework alive and relevant is not just about new projects. The review of expiring unit standards is ongoing. In a recent catch up, over a period of three months a contractor maintained the currency of 900 unit standards.

For the NQS team, there is a strong emphasis on making products fit for purpose. Ultimately they want to be sure that the unit standards on the Framework are going to be used - and that the Framework is alive and relevant.

NQS is "New Zealand's largest ITO" in terms of its management of unit standards and qualifications.
Anne Longworth

Current project - creating careers in museums

The setting up of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, gave impetus to training and national qualifications for museum staff.

A working group, with representatives from museums from around New Zealand, scoped the industry and developed a training framework. NQS Project Officer Roger Booth has been working with the group to decide what relevant unit standards are on the Framework and what else needs to be developed in terms of further unit standards and a series of national qualifications.