Technical Awards - an introduction video transcript

Technical Awards: an introduction 

Dale Bassett – Head of Product Reform

We’ve developed nine new Technical Awards for first teaching in September 2017. They’re practical, vocationally relevant qualifications that 14 to 16 year olds can take alongside their GCSEs. Each Technical Award is equivalent to one GCSE and will count in Progress 8, in the non-Ebacc open group of subjects. Technical Awards are rigorous qualifications that offer a strong foundation of core knowledge and practical skills while making sure that more practically minded learners are really able to shine. 

Ali Bowen-Davies – Vocational Qualifications Developer

All learners will benefit from the transferable skills that we will be promoting through completion of these Technical Awards, such as communication, problem solving and also their research skills.

Dale Bassett – Head of Product Reform

We’ve taken the best elements of our GCSEs and worked with teachers, FE colleges and employers to make sure that we’re developing the knowledge and skills that are going to help students to progress, whether that’s on to further study, with academic or vocational qualifications or into employment or apprenticeships.

Ali Bowen-Davies – Vocational Qualifications Developer

And the type of learner that we’re talking about are those who fare better with a hands-on approach, a practical ability. So we’re assessing them in terms of what they can do, as opposed to what they know. 

Dale Bassett – Head of Product Reform

There are just three assessments for each qualification which are simple to administer, and are moderated and managed in exactly the same way as our GCSEs. There is no need to split your class into Level 1 and Level 2; one course gives all learners the same opportunity to achieve. There will be grades available at Level 1 and Level 2, with a distinction star available for the highest achieving learners.

Ali Bowen-Davies – Vocational Qualifications Developer

We’ve done some market testing and our teachers feel that these Technical Awards – not only are they unique and fresh and innovative, but stacked up against the current offering in the vocational space these are going to be hugely successful.

Dale Bassett – Head of Product Reform

We’ll provide course materials, sample papers, free training events and exemplar student work. We’re also working with publishers to make sure textbooks are available for most of the subjects. We’re submitting our draft qualifications to DfE this September and we’ll share the draft specifications and specimen assessment materials with you then. For regular updates sign up online at aqa.org.uk/technical awards.