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Before you assess competence, you need to define it

Before you assess competence, you need to define it Organisations often begin workforce-development projects by asking what training people need or how their performance should be assessed. There is an earlier question that needs to be answered: What does competent performance actually look like in this role? Without a clear answer, training can become a The post Before you assess competence, you […]

One Product, Seven Marketplaces: Could Your Recall System Find Every Route to the Customer?

One Product, Seven Marketplaces: Could Your Recall System Find Every Route to the Customer? A recent product-safety investigation provides a useful reminder that traceability must extend beyond manufacturing batches and distribution records. The Office for Product Safety and Standards investigated a type of “pimple-popping” toy supplied with a sharp needle or syringe. Although some versions […]

Assessment quality under the spotlight: what recent announcements mean for training providers

Assessment quality under the spotlight: what recent announcements mean for training providers Recent announcements from Ofqual, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Skills England all point towards the same conclusion: effective vocational assessment depends on competent people, reliable evidence and quality systems that work in practice. For training providers, awarding organisations, […]

Keeping Non-Food HACCP Current: Lessons from Recent Product-Safety Developments

Keeping Non-Food HACCP Current: Lessons from Recent Product-Safety Developments Recent UK product-safety developments demonstrate why hazard analysis must extend beyond the product formulation or manufacturing process. One chemical product was recalled after incorrect instructions stated that users should apply three tablets instead of one. The excessive dose could cause skin reactions. This […]

AI and vocational assessment: does the evidence still prove competence?

AI and vocational assessment: does the evidence still prove competence? Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday work and learning. It can explain unfamiliar subjects, help learners organise their ideas, improve written communication and identify gaps in their knowledge. For vocational assessors, however, the central question is not simply whether AI has been used. It The post AI and […]

Are workplace assessors ready for apprenticeship assessment reform?

Are workplace assessors ready for apprenticeship assessment reform? Changes to apprenticeship assessment in England are beginning to move from policy into practice. The reformed approach will allow assessment to take place at appropriate points throughout an apprenticeship, rather than relying solely on a separate assessment at the end. This should create a more flexible and The post Are […]