Ofqual Qualifications Update February 2022 – Withdrawals

Thank you to everyone who took part in our validity questionnaires and panel groups between October and November 2021, your feedback is always highly valued and very much appreciated.

Validity offers a great opportunity for you to voice your opinions on our qualifications. These insights enable Open Awards to ensure that a qualification continues to provide an appropriate output of skills and knowledge in relation to its title, purpose and content.

In December 2021, our Validity Panel met and reviewed 43 qualifications. We can confirm that the following qualifications are to be withdrawn:

Personal Progress Suite: Entry Level 1

Our Personal Progress qualifications at Entry Level 1 are being withdrawn effective from 31/08/2022. Learners can register up to and including this date and be certificated thereafter. However, you will not be able to register learners from 01/09/2022 after which all units from this suite of qualifications will migrate to the Skills for Further Learning and Employment suite at Entry Level 1.

Touch Typing: Level 1 – Level 2

Our suite of qualifications in Touch Typing will be withdrawn on 31/08/2022 to allow for redevelopment. Learners can register up to and including this date and be certificated thereafter. However, you will not be able to register learners from 01/09/2022.

Equine Massage: Level 3

Our Equine Massage Level 3 qualification has been extended for one year only to allow for redevelopment and will expire on 31/08/2023.

All Providers affected by the above qualification withdrawals have been contacted and alternative qualifications/units sourced. If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on 0151 494 2072 or by email enquiries@openawards.org.uk. Updated qualification guides will be available to download from our website in due course.