Dodds disappointed by vocational qualifications result delay

Economy Minister Diane Dodds today voiced her disappointment in the delay in vocational qualifications (VQ) results but said learners will receive the grades they deserve.

Minister Diane Dodds

The Minister was speaking after it was confirmed by Pearson, the awarding organisation of BTEC qualifications, that it will review learner results to bring them in line with GCSE and A Level awarding policies to ensure fairness.

Most vocational qualifications used work that learners had already completed in the course of their study.  Although calculated results have been issued for many VQs, the same kind of statistical standardisation process of Centre Assessment Grades (CAGs) has only been used in a small number of qualifications.

Awarding Organisations have been asked to review this approach in light of decisions made for GCSEs and A levels. 

This change in approach will result in a small proportion of vocational qualification results being reissued and a delay to some results due to issue this week.

The Minister said: “I am disappointed that this change in approach will cause further delay to learners receiving their final results. However, it will ensure that learners receive the results they deserve and those studying BTECs are treated fairly in line with their peers studying A Levels or GCSEs.

“I appreciate that this situation has already caused significant distress and anxiety for many learners and I have urged awarding organisations to issue final results as soon as possible to avoid any further delays.”

She added: “If vocational learners have any concerns about their results, they should contact their place of learning in the first instance who will provide them with the most up to date information.”

Notes to editors: 

1. For media enquiries or photographs from this event contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at: pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk .
2. Follow us on Twitter @Economy_NI(external link opens in a new window / tab)
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page