HNC/D Administration and IT

1. HNC/D Administration and IT Quality Review Team Update

2. Mandatory Units for HNC/D • ITiB: Word Processing and Presentation Skills (2) • ITiB: Spreadsheets (1) • Office Administration (1) • Office Technologies (1) • Recording Financial Transactions (1) • Communication (1) – unchanged • Personal Development Planning (1) • ITiB: Databases (1) – awaiting core skill validation

3. Mandatory Units for HND • ITiB: Advanced Word Processing (1) • ITiB: Advanced Spreadsheets (1) • ITiB: Advanced Databases (1) • Presentation Skills (1) • Office Management (2) • ICT in Business (2) * • Developing the Individual within a Team (1) at level 7 or 8* *in final stages prior to validation and core skill validation

4. Graded Units • Graded Unit 1 retained as an exam-based unit (1) • Minor change made to timing of papers (45 minutes paper 1 and 2 hours 15 minutes for paper 2) • Graded Unit 2 retained as an exam-based unit (1) • Graded Unit 3 retained as a project-based unit (1) • Minor changes made to content of all the Graded Units to ensure knowledge matched that of the revised mandatory units • Still subject to validation

5. Core Skills – HNC Exit Profile • HNC should have the following core skills embedded: • Communication at level 6 • ICT at level 5 • Problem solving at level 5 * • Working with Others level 5 or 6 (DIWAT)* • Significant effort was made to ensure that core skills were clearly signposted and/or embedded across all units where the opportunity arose * DIWAT Awaiting core skill validation

6. Core Skills – HND Exit Profile • Communication at level 6 • ICT at level 6 • Numeracy at level 6* • Problem-solving at level 6 • Working with others* - again, significant work spent identifying opportunities for signposting/embedding across all units * awaiting core skills validation

7. Credit Transfer • Just a reminder: Credit Transfer is ultimately the responsibility of the Centre. • However, we are currently looking at: • Straight route into HND year 2 from current HNC • Producing a table to show where content of the mandatory units have changed although this will only include the current HNC/D units • It is likely that units from the older HNC/D would need to be mapped to the new units on an ad hoc basis – issues of currency come into play here. • BUT, details have yet to be finalised.

8. Review of Optional Units • A number of units have expired/will expire in the near future • Replacement units have been produced • BUT, there may be some optional units that are: • No longer relevant • Absolutely necessary for articulation purposes • Knowledge/skills not currently available in unit form (ie new knowledge/skills) • We are looking for guidance from you on what the list should look like – more later

9. Recent Market Research • Another survey questionnaire was issued in September 2009 to Employers whose staff members had recently completed the HNC/D AIT award • 100% considered HNC/D AIT was relevant for both recruitment AND staff development • 100% agreed that the qualification developed the appropriate skills (63.3% strongly) • 100% agreed that the qualification helps prepared staff for work (45.5% strongly) • 70% agree that routes into professional body recognition are important (30% strongly) • All core skills are necessary in administration posts

10. Result • Increased flexibility – statement of what to do,not how to do; as long as centres adhere to the Evidence Requirements Centres have much more freedom on the ‘HOW’ • Reduced assessment load (able to assess across units, eg spreasheets and RFT) • Instead of identifying just one unit for core skill embedding/signposting – all units were considered • DDA compliant

11. What’s next . . . • Currently working on the Validation Proposal Document • Date for Validation Event is 28th January 2010 • E-assessment – this award is well placed to take full advantage of e-assessment opportunites • Look forward to seeing you at the Launch Event