Friday 24th March, 0900 - 1000 via Zoom

The history of Hydrogen Technology, its development for today and tomorrow.

Presented by Tom Cockerill, Chief Engineer at AMTC it will cover:

Given today's knowledge:

• For what applications may Hydrogen be the ideal fuel for the future.
• The range likely applications and their related constraints.
• The developing process so far - how much further is there to go.
• Issues for manufacturing, supply and distribution, and service options.
• How will these development impact on education and skills requirements.
• Impact on Related technologies and anticipated breakthroughs.

Thursday 16th February, 0900 - 1000 via Zoom

The presentation was given by Jonathon Deeley-Williamson, Head of Learning and Development at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre in Coventry.

The presentation included:

• An introduction to UKBIC and its work.
• The history of Batteries, through todays technologies - how it got here and where may it go to - an introduction to possible future technologies and applications.
• Manufacturing process development.
• Why is the battery industry doing what it is doing in the way it is doing it.
• How do these developments impact on education at all levels, what this may mean in the future. Future Tech of training delivery. AR/VR and access to equipment and resources.
• There is lots of resource out there: what is relevant and accessible; what are the essential basics.
• And lots more!

This presentation is provided to NFEC by the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre -Please respect the UKBIC copyright of this material. Should you wish to repurpose any of the content for your own use, that they contact UKBIC before proceeding.

View and download Presentation: Introduction to Battery Manufacturing

NFEC apologies, for the trouble with the seminar recording; (our first failure - it won't happen again)

Level 3 Qualification "De-Funding" Appeal Process and Issues

Friday 17th June 2022

Chaired by NFEC Chair: Dr Jon Gill

Led by Sian Owen of Pearson and Dean O'Donoghue from OCR

For some time now we have all been concerned about the future limitation of options for level 3 qualifications, particularly in all areas of Engineering and Technology, frequent references have been made and discussed during seminars and meetings and there have been many articles and discussion papers online and in various journals.

The debate, consultations and studies have involved all levels of education, professional bodies and industry for most sectors. Particular impact is on the current and future plans for our qualification awarding bodies who continue to work to ensure suitable progression opportunities and viability of recognised career paths.

NFEC Seminars have discussed T Levels processes and outcomes in some depth - reference has been made to their impact current, well proven, Technical Qualifications (of which there is a long list).

This seminar provided the opportunity to understand just what the current and future position is, primarily what has to be done to meet the defined Appeals Deadline of 7th July and what will happen next. The presentation slides give more information.

We ask members and friends to assist the awarding bodies in this process - particularly Pearson at this vital time.

This is the first of a series of Seminars that will deal with various elements of this subject.

Please download and view Presentation Slides from Sian Owen from Pearson

T Level Seminar

Friday 29th April 2022

Meeting summary

As we approach the registration deadline in September for the Engineering and Manufacturing T Level, this seminar provided an opportunity to explore processes and structures for programme set up and delivery. Covering the approval process, describing options for delivery models, examination and assessment structures and timing. Key for those operating these programmes is an awareness of the support that is available now and what is under development. Both City & Guilds and the RAEng described the work that has been undertaken to date and what is to follow, invitations are made for providers to become involved in consultation and development groups.

Please view and download City & Guilds, Engineering and Manufacturing T Level, Curriculum Delivery Plan

Please view and download Andrew Parsons presentation

End Point Assessment - (EPA)

Thursday 7th April 2022

This seminar gave NFEC its first detailed look into End Point Assessment (EPA) as required by Apprentice Standards and unravelling many of the current misconceptions. Chaired by Peter Winebloom

Caroline Elliot, Senior Assessment and Assurance Manager, Engineering, Construction and Transport Division for the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Qualifications (IFA&TE), gave a comprehensive presentation covering the policy, context, principles and approved methodologies for EPA as well as outlining how an EPA assessment plan progresses from the development stage to published Assessment Plan, covering development and operating processes - delegates found this to give a good insight into the differing expectations of the interested parties: Apprentices, Employers, Provider and the essential Quality bodies.

Andrew Parsons, Ap-Ex Training Consulting Ltd, gave an excellent presentation covering many aspects from the development and operation of EPAs, his understanding of the standards required, Andrew being well qualified as a 'practitioner': he is a director of an approved End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), whilst also acting as an End Point Assessor for The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and is also Chair of the Automotive Apprentices Trailblazer Group. It was good to hear of his first-hand experience of managing and conducting EPA’s, including some of the pitfalls to avoid, as well as discussing best practice, the important role the EPAO plays, and the sort of support and steps necessary to ensure end point assessment is a success for all concerned.

Please view and download Caroline Elliot's presentation

Please view and download Andrew Parsons presentation

Exploring developments, strategy and resources for future qualifications in Engineering and other technical disciplines

Friday 19th November 2021

An excellent turnout for a very informative session with input from Rob Stott on behalf of the T Level Engineering and Manufacturing Team providing the latest development update; followed By Rhys Morgan from the Royal Academy of Engineering describing the Academies strategy and plans for future resource development that will support both T Levels and other Engineering related programmes with a wide range materials and resources for those teaching such subjects.

Rhys also stressed the importance to industry of capable technicians and he described the support planned for businesses. Yet again he touched on the challenges that will face many businesses in providing appropriate work experience placements.

Rhys asked for help from practitioners to work with the steering groups and development teams - please see the presentation for further details - For information please contact Stylli Charalampous stylli.charalampous@raeng.org.uk

Look out for information on January’s NFEC Seminar which will be either 14th or 21st January 2022.

Resources:

View and download presentation by Rob Stott on behalf of the City & Guilds and EAL development team

View and download presentation by Rhys Morgan on behalf of the Royal Academy of Engineering

Post 16 Vocational Qualifications Reform

Friday 24th September 2021

On Friday 24th September, NFEC hosted an excellent presentation and discussion on the issues surrounding the latest Post 16 Vocational Qualifications Reform, led by Bryony Leonard Sector Manager - Engineering, Manufacturing and Automotive with Pearson Group.

View the presentation slides here

During the post presentation discussion delegates posed a range of relevant questions relating to the plans, timing and funding support and again raised concerns over a number of real practical operational issues that are yet to be explained / clarified. No doubt we will be coming back to this subject again.

Developing Qualifications in Engineering & Manufacturing and related disciplines

Friday 25th June 2021

Dean O'Donoghue from OCR gave a very interesting, informative and well received presentation on the development of forthcoming new Cambridge Nationals in Engineering at KS4. Of particular interest was the descriptions relating to "progression opportunities" into further Engineering programmes and also across a range of related and other disciplines and how this all fits with the future Skills Strategy.

Please view the powerpoint slides from the seminar

T Level Work Placement Guidance

Friday 21st May 2021

An excellent Q & A based seminar to discuss T Level Work Placements, brought many interesting comments and examples from practitioners on the work that they are undertaking to prepare for these extended Work Placements; rather than just considering Engineering and Manufacturing these seminars are including experiences of colleagues who are developing and managing Construction based placements (which were launched a year ahead in 2020). Across all sectors the importance of high quality worthwhile placements are vital, especially given the nature and level of the careers that T Level students should be destined for. There are still concerns over how the high standards will be monitored, managed and assessed. The need for good guidance for providers and placement companies was very strongly voiced. NFEC will continue focused work groups to meet to further the discussion outcomes which will be reported here and at future seminars.

The following links have been provided by seminar speaker Lyne Tabone from Further Education Directorate, Education & Skills Funding Agency.

Employer guidance

Main industry placements introduction page for employers:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/industry-placements basic starter info for those wanting to get involved in delivering industry placements:

And here is more introductory information on a website that has two sides - one for students and one for employers: T Levels | The Next Level Qualification

Support for Employers to deliver industry placements:
T-Levels (employerindustryplacements.co.uk) - here there is access to a range of supporting guidance so this is an important link for employers

Resources mainly for providers, but has some examples on how to set up placements, that some employers might find interesting:

• T Level Industry Placement Delivery Guidance - published July 2020 for 2020/21 academic year. A focus on how to deliver high quality placements, with information on new delivery models, templates for providers and example learning objectives. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/t-level-industry-placements-delivery-guidance mainly intended for providers to guide their practice, but also includes important information about how to set objectives for students on a placement - there are multiple documents available here.

The Delivery Guidance says: students studying Digital and Engineering & Manufacturing T Levels can undertake a route level placement that allows them to develop the knowledge and skills studied at route level rather than those only relevant to their occupational specialism. See Annex A for more information about route level placements.

• Annex A is found at the above link, but here is direct link too: Annex A: different models and approaches to delivery (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• And the Engineering example objectives are here: Engineering and manufacturing route: example industry placement objective templates (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• Student Guide - published July 2020. Advice and resources to help students prepare for their industry placement. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/student-guide-preparing-for-industry-placements

Guidance resources for providers

• We have used lessons learned from industry placement pilots and 2017/18 delivery to publish guidance resources for providers - being updated with new resources and video/paper case studies in September 19: https://www.aoc.co.uk/teaching-and-learning/t-level/industry-placements-guidance-resources

Case studies

• Video and paper-based case studies are also available: https://www.aoc.co.uk/teaching-and-learning/t-level/industry-placement-case-studies
• The Gatsby Foundation produced some Industry Placement videos reflecting practice in Lancashire: https://www.improvingtechnicaleducation.org.uk/introducing-t-levels/themes/industry-placements

Topic T Level Technical Certificate developments and Work Experience Placements

Friday 23rd April 2021

An excellent and well attended seminar heard the latest update on T Levels from Rob Stott and Scott Wilkins representing the relevant Awarding Bodies, City & Guilds and EAL on the continuing development of the Technical Certificate elements - the posted presentation the Abs on going efforts are much appreciated by NFEC members although there are still issues relating to size and specialist content of the Engineering and Manufacturing T Level. Please view Engineering & Manufacturing T Level Update Slides

Lynne Tabone from ESFA presented a summary of the T Level structure which covered the requirements for the Work Placement element. Lynne's presentation is available here: Industry Placements - Lynne Tabone, Education & Skills Funding Agency

Panel Members: Neil Sambrook, Walsall College and Jamie Binyon, Chichester College presented on the live issues that they are dealing with in their establishing placements in Construction; Sue Hopewell and Neil Davies from Birmingham Metropolitan College discussed their preparations and resource planning for their introduction of T Levels in Engineering and manufacturing. John Symonds, BMW brought an understanding of the issues that large companies have to consider when planning for any form of placement.

The Q & A and general discussion a long list of ideas, anomalies, concerns and suggestions which will feature in future NFEC T Level seminars.

NFEC T Levels

Friday 5th February 2021

A well attended informative discussion on T Levels demonstrated that there is a "way to go" to address the many concerns voiced by participants, NFEC will return to this discussion soon

What are "T" Levels and what will their introduction mean to us?

Thursday 10th December 2020

A well attended NFEC Seminar on the development of Engineering and Manufacturing T Levels.

Appointed Awarding Bodies City & Guilds and EAL gave a presentation on the principles and progress made so far. Reference was made to many of the outstanding issues and delegates questioned how these will be dealt with, some good discussion took place and some useful suggestions were made.

The seminar is available for viewing below:

Scott Wilkins of City & Guilds invited practitioners to get involved and to sign up for further updates: cityandguilds.email-preferences.com/sign-up

Further NFEC Seminars will return to the subject of T Levels, each addressing a different element and providing updates.

NFEC T LEVEL WEBINAR - ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING
PRESENTATION

Where do we go from here?

Friday 20th November 2020

NFEC's third seminar in its "Where do we go from here" series considering how we, as education providers manage our way through the Covid 19 Pandemic; was held online on Friday 20th November 2020.

Representatives from Awarding Bodies, City & Guilds, EAL and Pearson reported on their experiences gained in working with providers and regulators during Lockdown one. Preparing for delivery and assessment and preparations for what did come next and what may yet be still to come. A good interactive session covered a range of pertinent questions - we will obviously be returning to this topic in the future, reviewing developments and outcomes.

The seminar is available for viewing below: