Services
Professional Qualifications
A professional qualification or licence to practice gives an assurance of quality, providing evidence that a professional has earned the right to practice in their chosen field. It gives independent confirmation of competence and improves confidence within a sector or industry.
For example, you might be seeking to create a new qualification, more specific to a particular role where the existing provision is too broad, or perhaps a short more focused micro credential that can evidence competency in a particular niche or new area.
At Kaplan Assessments, we can partner with you to design, develop and deliver an industry-specific, professional qualification with a real-life focus. Tailored to the skills, knowledge and attitudes your workforce needs to perform effectively within their professional sector, we contextualise our tailored qualifications within the workplace itself.
We can endorse training and assessment programmes, providing regulatory oversight with a nationally recognised qualification lifting its value in the profession. With a focus on practical skills application, we recognise the key role that qualifications play in raising the day-to-day standards within a particular career sector or industry. We also champion the positive impact that this demonstration of ability has, not only by securing trust in your workforce, but in offering opportunities for professional development and improving a candidate's career prospects.
Professional qualification design
Designing a tailored qualification begins with considering its aim, purpose and objectives. We’ll work with you to understand the expected profile of learners and the outcomes they will need to achieve to gain the qualification.
Regulatory requirements
Kaplan Professional Awards (KPA) is our Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) regulated awarding organisation. Through KPA, we can register qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), meaning
- they are quality assured by following Ofqual's robust processes from design, development and delivery
- there is confidence with the qualification as it is only available on the Ofqual Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF)
- provide parity as the qualification meets a benchmarked level and aligned to other regulated provisions
- the qualification is fit for purpose as it is developed and reviewed against Ofqual's conditions of recognition
Alternatively, KPA self-regulated qualifications can be developed to the same standards as those regulated by Qfqual, but without the same restrictions or reporting demands.
Structure, level and duration
Change is the new constant. New regulations, new skills, new technologies, new ways of working. Every professional needs to continually develop to maintain or raise their competency.
Our flexible approach enables our professional qualifications to adapt to this constantly shifting work environment. We recognise the importance of research and publication in driving the continued development of our own expertise, particularly in relation to high-stakes tests.
We will structure your regulated qualification to provide flexibility where you need it, and will consider aspects such as:
- maintaining relevance through a modular approach, allowing new modules to be added or switched out as your profession changes
- allows for specialisation and CPD opportunities with core qualification and optional modules
- career paths and progression routes with varying durations and levels of difficulty
- options for entry or exit at different levels – through recognition of prior learning increasing entry routes to the profession
The optimal structure will ensure your qualification attracts the best employees into the profession and builds and maintains their competence throughout their career.
Assessment approach
All qualifications require some form of assessment to determine those candidates who have met the required level of competence, taking into account the professional activities involved and practical experience of working in a particular field or regulated profession. Part of the design of the tailored qualification will consider the most appropriate methods of assessment given the qualification’s objectives and learning outcomes, be that formal examinations or evidence gathering from on the job completion.
Professional qualification development
Working in partnership with you, we combine our expertise in bespoke qualifications and assessments with your insight and understanding of the industry and any distinct specialisms, to develop a clear and detailed specification.
Specification
Framed around the qualification’s aim, purpose and objectives, the specification details all aspects of the qualification including its structure and number of units, level of difficulty, duration of study and assessment plan.
Learning outcomes
For each unit, learning outcomes set out what the candidate will be expected to know, understand or be able to do as the result of a process of learning. Assessment criteria then provide a measurable standard that will demonstrate that the learning outcome has been achieved.
We will work with a team of subject matter experts to formulate the learning outcomes of the tailored qualification, and the assessment criteria. We offer support and guidance on developing the assessment plan and approach.
- Is it at the right level?
- Does it determine the intended outcomes?
- Are there any unexpected consequences?
Test Blueprint
We will develop a test blueprint showing the most appropriate way to assess candidates, and ensure that the minimum level of competency coverage is achieved against the learning outcomes.
Professional qualification delivery
Qualifications are designed and developed to incorporate the assessment methodology and delivery, with clear and measurable assessment of competence criteria.
How do we ensure our questions are credible?
Many clients opt for us to administer all aspects of the tailored assessments embedded in the qualification. We employ experienced subject matter experts, and marry this with our assessment expertise to write high quality questions and to complete the marking and grading or standard setting process.
Independent delivery
Alternatively, you can independently deliver the assessments within your own organisation, either using in-house resources or a third-party, with oversight from Kaplan Assessments on the marking, moderation and approval or verification of results.
Qualification endorsement
Our awarding organisation, Kaplan Professional Awards (KPA), is able to endorse your existing training, assessment provision, and certification requirements to provide a nationally recognised qualification. For such qualifications the candidate will receive a qualification certificate with the endorsement of both Ofqual and KPA, and also that of the professional body or organisation.
An endorsed qualification not only provides a reliable measurement of competence within the workplace but, on a personal level, marks the achievement of a goal and can be used to advance a candidate's career progression.
Sue Smith from the The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) explains why CIPP works with Kaplan.
“CIPP has worked with Kaplan Professional Awards to accredit our level three qualifications since 2011. We chose to work with Kaplan due to their longevity, experience and profile within the finance and accounting profession, which in turn adds value and kudos to the CIPPs qualifications.”
Sue Smith
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP)
Find out more about KPAs existing suite of qualifications chevron_right
Our capabilities aren’t limited to business-specific qualifications that target the knowledge and specialist skillset required to perform at a high-level in a professional role. We have a wealth of psychometric and assessment expertise to support organisations in the design, development and delivery of tailored assessments at a larger, industry level, as part of an externally regulated qualification or licence to practice.
If you are interested in partnering with Kaplan Assessments, simply fill out our application form and we will be in touch to discuss your requirements.