Regulation

Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework

Part of a suite of documents setting out our regulatory requirements for awarding organisations offering vocational and technical qualifications affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 24 March 2021
• Last updated: 18 January 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales

Documents

Closure of the vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework

Ref: Ofqual/21/6826/5

HTML

Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework, COVID-19 Conditions and Requirements

Ref: Ofqual/21/6826/3

HTML

Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework, COVID-19 Conditions and Requirements

Ref: Ofqual/21/6826/3

PDF, 316 KB, 34 pages

Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework, COVID-19 Guidance

Ref: Ofqual/21/6826/4

HTML

Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework, COVID-19 Guidance

Ref: Ofqual/21/6826/4

PDF, 342 KB, 33 pages

Notice in relation to Category B Qualifications

Ref: Ofqual/21/6826/6

HTML

Notice under Condition VCR1.1(b) disapplying Condition VCR7.3

Ref: Ofqual/21/6826/5

HTML

Details

This document sets out the vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework (the VCR Conditions). These conditions came into effect at 13:00 on 24 March 2021 for all vocational and technical qualifications which fall within categories A and B as defined in Condition VCR1.8.

It also sets out our requirements in relation to the following:

• the adaptation of Category A qualifications and Category B qualifications
• the determination of results for Category B qualifications
• the principles to be applied by awarding organisations when adapting Category A qualifications and Category B qualifications and when determining results for Category B qualifications

This document was republished on 4 May 2021 in order to:

• add Condition VCR8 (Additional Assessment opportunity) following consultation
• correct a typographical paragraphing error in VCR6

This document was republished on 6 August 2021, following consultation, in order to:

• make minor drafting changes to Conditions VCR1.3 and VCR1.8 to allow for the withdrawal of Category B qualifications from 1 September 2021
• amend Condition VCR7.1 so that it applies only to a qualification that is designated as a Category B qualification

Alongside the version of this document that was republished on 6 August 2021, Ofqual published 2 notices:

• the first notice withdraws the designation of Category B Qualifications from 1 September 2021 subject to saving and transitional provisions
• the second notice disapplies Condition VCR7.3 in respect of all VTQs from 1 September 2021 subject to saving and transitional provisions

This document was republished on 18 January 2024 in order to give notice that the remaining Conditions in the VCR Framework will be disapplied, subject to the transitional and saving provisions specified.

Published 24 March 2021
Last updated 18 January 2024 + show all updates

1. 18 January 2024

   Ofqual gives notice under Condition VCR1.1(b) that the remaining Conditions in the vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework will be disapplied in respect of all VTQs from 18 January 2024, subject to the transitional and saving provisions specified in the attached document.

2. 6 August 2021

   Updated Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework conditions and guidance documents. Notices added.

3. 4 May 2021

   Vocational and technical qualifications contingency regulatory framework, COVID-19 guidance, and conditions & requirements documents updated to reflect amended VCR8 text.

4. 25 March 2021

   New version uploaded due to a technical issue in the previous document.

5. 24 March 2021

   First published.