Awarding body: Early Years NVQs

The challenge

The aims of the research were to explore:

  • the relative market share of a number of key Awarding Body NVQs in Early Years
  • the perceptions of users and non-users of the Awarding Body qualifications, including the strengths and weaknesses of their offer
  • key stakeholder views on the changes to the care sector and the ways in which awarding bodies may need to position themselves in relation to the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).

Our approach

This research was undertaken two main strands of methodological inquiry: market share analysis and stakeholder analysis.  Although each of the stages were conducted separately, the report presented to the Awarding Body's senior management team presented findings from a meta-analysis across all stages.

  • Stage 1: Market share analysis on key NVQ awards, using datasets from the LSC (ILR), QCA (market share), IoE (DISS Project) and data from Companies House. The data was analysed using Boston Box methodology.
  • Stage 2: Twenty (ten users of this awarding body and ten non-users) depth interviews with FE and training providers in the care sector.
  • Stage 3: Five stakeholder interviews with key individuals representing Sector Skills Councils and policy makers within the early years and care domain.

Outcomes

In addition to interim meetings with the Awarding Body's project managers, a PowerPoint presentation was delivered to the Awarding Body's senior management team after their review of a draft final report. A final report was prepared to incorporate final insights and questions discussed at the presentation.