OCN NI VTQ Guidance for the Vocational Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF), published 25 March 2021
Having reviewed the new rules set by the qualifications regulators for awarding vocational and technical qualifications this academic year, OCN NI has produced detailed guidance documentation to help our centres come to appropriate assessment judgements. This guidance document ‘OCN NI Vocational and Technical Qualifications Guidance for the Vocational Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF)’ will provide clarity and detail on the technical aspects for alternative awarding arrangements 2020/21. Please take the time to read, understand and apply this process for making claims on all OCN NI qualifications.
OCN NI Centre Guidance - VTQ Assessments 2021
VTQ Head of Centre Declaration 2021
TAG Decision Making Proforma 
Centres can access a downloadable version of this useful infographic (click here) which can be used to explain the awarding process with colleagues and learners.
VTQ Guidance for the VCRF - FAQs
OCN NI VTQ Guidance Videos
Essential Skills Guidance for Awarding Summer 2021
The following documents support the OCN NI Guidance for Exceptional Arrangements – Assessing and Grading Essential Skills Qualifications with External Assessments 2021. As mentioned in said Guidance, which was distributed to all centres on 24th February 2021, the workbook is an externally set, internally moderated summative assessment which is required to be completed as per regulation. This should be presented unseen, and candidates are required to complete this unassisted. Whilst it is a controlled assessment, it can be performed in a more relaxed environment. Centres will have access to two workbooks per level, however, should a candidate successfully achieve one workbook, they are not required to complete a second.
Essential Skills Guidance Videos
Essential Skills Documents
Delivery and Assessment 2020/2021 under the Extended Extraordinary Regulatory Framework (ERF)
For the 20/21 academic year government’s intention is that where assessments can continue to take place under normal conditions, provided these are in a safe manner, centres should continue to do so. OCN NI anticipate that many courses will face compressed teaching time and that there will be a need to maximise the time that is available. Where assessments and qualifications cannot be delivered as they normally would, OCN NI is now developing guidance to help centres mitigate disruption to delivery and assessment so that, as far as possible, learners taking VTQs including Essential Skills qualifications, have the opportunity to receive a fair result and are not disadvantaged by the longer term impacts of the pandemic.