IFA surrenders Ofqual recognition

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The Institute of Financial Accountants is no longer an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation.

The Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) has surrendered its status as an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation.

IFA informed Ofqual in 2018 of its intention to surrender recognition. The surrender took effect as of 27 November 2019. From this date, no qualifications offered by IFA are regulated by Ofqual.

IFA previously had five regulated qualifications and issued 12 certificates in the last year. We understand no learners are affected by this surrender.

Published 13 May 2020

Migration Advisory Committee seeks views on skills shortages

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The Migration Advisory Committee launches a 6-week call for evidence.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is today (Wednesday 13 May 2020) launching a 6-week call for evidence, asking business organisations and employers to share their valuable recruitment experiences as part of a review of the shortage occupation lists.

The responses will provide the Committee with a well-rounded picture of the current migration issues and will support the evidence-based recommendations delivered to the Home Secretary in September 2020.

The government has said that whether an occupation is in shortage will be one of the key factors for which a migrant will be able to score tradeable points under the new points-based immigration system when it is introduced. The Home Secretary has asked the Committee, an independent body, to gather views from businesses on what skills are currently in short supply across the UK labour market.

Interim Chair of the MAC Professor Brian Bell said:

We appreciate that the coronavirus outbreak has placed businesses in an enormously difficult situation, but their input is vital.

Any time they can give, or information they can provide will be greatly valued and aid us in providing the government with robust recommendations.

We must proceed with this Call for Evidence now in order to deliver our report in September 2020 as requested.

The shortage occupation list is a government compiled list of occupations for which the evidence suggests there are not enough UK workers to fill vacancies. There is also a Scotland specific list in addition to the UK-wide one.

The Home Secretary commissioned the Committee to consider what medium-skill occupations, requiring RQF 3-5 qualifications (A-levels and equivalents), should be added to a UK wide list of occupations in shortage.

The Committee does not intend on asking for evidence for the roles covered on the current lists, which are roles for which a degree or its equivalent is needed (RQF 6), as they plan for these to remain in place at this review.

It is recognised that coronavirus will impact the ability of businesses and employers to respond to the call for evidence and this will be reflected in the final report.

Published 13 May 2020

Transport update: M25 Junction 10 and A3 Wisley Interchange improvement

This statement concerns the development consent order (DCO) application for the M25 Junction 10 / A3 Wisley Interchange improvement made by Highways England under the Planning Act 2008,which had been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate on 19 June 2019.

Under section 98(1) of the act the examining authority appointed to examine the application must complete its examination within 6 months. Under section 98(4) the examining authority must submit its recommendation report to the Secretary of State within 3 months of its completion of the examination. Under section 107(1) of the act, following receipt of the examining authority’s recommendation report, the Secretary of State must decide whether to grant development consent within 3 months.

Sections 98(4) and 107(3) of the act give the relevant Secretary of State power to set new deadlines in respect of the above which are later than the statutory maxima. For this application, the relevant Secretary of State is the Secretary of State for Transport. In exercising this power,the Secretary of State for Transport must, amongst other things, make a statement to Parliament announcing the new deadlines.

The examination for the M25 Junction 10 DCO began on 12 November 2019 and is due to close on 12 May 2020. The recommendation report would need to be sent to the Secretary of State on or before 12 August 2020. A decision in this case would therefore be made on or before 12 November 2020.

The deadline for the completion of the examination is to be extended to 12 July 2020 (an extension of 2 months) to enable examination hearings postponed in the light of government advice concerning coronavirus (COVID-19) to be rescheduled and held in a virtual forum. Consequently, the deadline for the examining authority to submit its recommendation report to the Secretary of State for Transport is amended to 12 October 2020 and the deadline for the Secretary of State for Transport to take his decision is amended to 12 January 2021.

The decision to extend the examination under the Planning Act 2008 regime is not taken lightly and reflects the exceptional public health circumstances the country finds itself in.

The decision to set new deadlines is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant development consent.

We’re recruiting Investigators

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Are you interested in making a significant contribution to railway safety in the United Kingdom?

Dot matrix style departure board in black and orange advertising RAIB Inspector vacancies — We’re recruiting Inspectors – closing date for applications is 05/06/20

Are you looking for a job that enables you to travel and get out and about in the railway industry, as well as working in a highly collaborative and supportive office environment?

Do you have substantial experience at a senior level in one or more of the four following disciplines:

Human Factors
Railway or Tramway Operations
Railway Safety Assurance
Rail Vehicle Dynamics

If the answer to all of the above questions is yes, and you have the experience and knowledge we are looking for, then you might be interested in applying to be an inspector at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

Find out more at Civil Service Jobs

Closing date for applications is 05/06/20

Published 13 May 2020

Industry Qualifications surrender Ofqual recognition

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Industry Qualifications is no longer an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation.

Industry Qualifications (IQ) has surrendered its status as an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation. IQ informed us in January of its intention to surrender recognition as it intended to sell its assets, including all its regulated qualifications to another recognised awarding organisation, SFJ Awards.

The surrender took effect from 6 March 2020. From this date, no qualifications offered by IQ are regulated by Ofqual.

SFJ Awards bought IQ’s assets on 6 March 2020. It took on all IQ training centres and their registered learners. We understand no learners are affected by this surrender.

SFJ Awards is reviewing these qualifications and their long-term availability. Qualifications previously offered by IQ are now labelled as SFJ Awards IQ Level x in ‘qualification title’ on the Register of Regulated Qualifications.

When awarding organisations are considering surrendering their recognition, we stand ready to discuss the options for proceeding whilst ensuring learners are protected.

A full list of currently recognised awarding organisations and regulated qualifications can be found on the Register of Regulated Qualifications.

Published 13 May 2020