PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Education: Coronavirus (23 June 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to mitigate the effects of the covid-19 outbreak on learners who have not been able to gain training placement experiences and as a result may struggle to achieve the necessary competency for their programme.

Asked by:
Karin Smyth (Labour)

The current situation means that many learners are not able to carry out any placement element of their programme due to social distancing measures and employers being closed or having ‘work at home’ arrangements that are not suitable. This is particularly the case for traineeships where the work experience is an integral part of the programme. In such cases, temporary flexibilities that apply from 23 March 2020 allow reduced duration of work experience to complete learning aims where appropriate. This also includes potential extension of traineeships by up to 12 months where required and confirmation of attainment of qualification by email until hard copy certificates can be issued.

More widely on other vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs), Ofqual has set out in guidance how results should be issued this summer to enable as many learners as possible to progress as they have planned. For many VTQs, a calculated grade will be awarded – in a similar way to GCSEs and AS/A levels. For other VTQs where a calculated grade is not possible, assessments will be delivered in an adapted way this summer. We know for some VTQs that neither of these approaches will be possible and that the only option will be to delay assessments into the next academic year - this should be a last resort. Awarding organisations are working with Ofqual and centres to deliver results and assessments wherever possible this summer.

Answered by:
Gillian Keegan (Conservative)
30 June 2020