October 2023 Construction update
Welcome to your October update for Engineering, keeping you up-to-date with the latest.
Level 3 Reforms
Access information in the link below for Level 3 Reforms and what to expect.
Training event: 11 October 2023 at 16:00 - 17:00 GMT
Introducing your new Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Construction (AAQ) first teach September 2025. This event will be an opportunity to get a first look at the new specification, assessments and support. These qualifications are for first teach September 2025, DfE funding and approval will be confirmed in July 2024.
BTEC Assessment in 2023/2024
Each BTEC programme (covered by the BTEC quality assurance model) offered at your centre requires a Lead Internal Verifier (LIV) to register or re-instate their registration each year. The deadline for this is 14 October.
The 2022 Tech Award does not require a Lead Internal Verifier registration.
The 2023-2024 Centre Guides have all been uploaded.
The grade statistics for BTEC qualifications are published in late October/early November on the grade statistics page of the website.
These statistics can be used for benchmarking purposes. Please note that in line with all qualifications, learner achievement is reported at qualification level and not at unit level.
On 28 March, JCQ released a document which provides teachers and assessors with the information they need to manage use of AI in assessments. This guidance applies to all our qualifications including vocational qualifications.
Important points to note:
- centres should explain the importance of students submitting their own independent work
- centres should ensure that teachers and assessors are familiar with AI tools and their risks
- centres should consider communications with parents/carers to make them aware of AI
- students must acknowledge use of AI when used
- misuse of AI tools is malpractice.
Within the document, there is a list of potential indicators of AI use that may help identify work where students have misused AI.
Please do take a look at this guidance.
BTEC Tech Award in Engineering (2017) - closed for registrations
As you know, in April 2023 the 2017 BTEC Tech Award in Engineering closed for new registrations and centres were informed about this through this communication.
The certification end date for this qualification is set at 31 August 2024 which means that the final assessment opportunity for this qualification is in May 2024, with no opportunity to re-sit after this point.
We continue to offer the BTEC First Award in Engineering for centres who wish to continue to offer a L1/2 qualification, though please note this is not on performance tables.
We are also planning to submit our new Tech Award in Engineering for inclusion on the Performance Tables as soon as DFE open the next submission window (expected this winter, for first teaching 2025).
BTEC Tech Award in Construction and the Built Environment (2022) updates
First year of this new qualification is over and within this time 2 internal assessment series were conducted for the internally assessed components 2 and 3. Students who started a 2 year programme in September 2022 will be certificating in summer 2024 and a new cohort of students will be onboarding the course. Here are some updates and useful links to guide you through the year.
Updates/changes to the qualification
- Pearson set assignments (PSAs) are releasing earlier this year. New PSA release date for December 2023 moderation is 1 September 2023. May 2024 moderation PSAs will be released early January. All dates can be accessed in the key dates schedule.
- Video evidence requirement of Component 2 has been removed. Photos and Observation records are needed. Details of this are in the PSAs.
BTEC Tech Award Construction and the Built Environment
Live and past PSAs, and examiner reports
Access the past PSAs and examiner reports in the links below for Components 2 and 3.
T level Design, Surveying and Planning updates
Additional Support for 2023 BTEC Higher National Modern Methods of Construction
The update linked below is to highlight that MOBIE and Offsite Alliance would like to explore the idea of bringing together all colleges that intend to deliver the HNC in Modern Methods of Construction from September to exchange best practice and learning on the new qualification.
Subject advisor
Evren Alibaba
Engineering
