When IfATE withdraws approval from a technical qualification (TQ) or a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) it could impact in several ways, including but not limited to:

  • the requirement to remove any associated kitemarks or branding
  • the loss of eligibility to attract public funding 

 

1. Criteria for withdrawing approval

We will consider the following when deciding whether to withdraw approval:

  • concerns that the approved qualification no longer meets the approvals criteria for the relevant categories of qualification
  • Level 2 and 3 qualifications, not including T Levels
  • HTQs
  • concerns that the approved qualification no longer complies with our relevant terms and conditions (terms and conditions for application and approval of HTQs)
  • the retirement of a recognised occupation and or standard on the occupational maps; in such instances, we will review all qualifications linked to that occupation and decide whether:
  • the qualification should continue to be approved
  • the qualification must be revised to retain its approval status

For approval to continue, a qualification may need to link to an alternative occupation. If there is no suitable alternative on the occupational maps, we will withdraw the qualification’s approval.

  • changes to the approved qualification’s regulated status, this includes:
  • notification by Ofqual, Office for Students (OfS) and or a relevant statutory regulator that they have commenced, or intend to commence, regulatory action against the awarding organisation (AO), which may affect the qualification’s ongoing regulation
  • the AO failing to address issues that are required to maintain relevant regulatory approval or recognition
  • where a qualification loses its regulated status or formal recognition by a professional statutory regulatory body (PSRB)
  • where our requested changes are not satisfactorily made or not made within the required timeframe
  • when an AO does not maintain their qualification as outlined in their application, this might include ongoing employer engagement activities or maintaining assessment standards
  • when an AO informs us of their decision to withdraw delivery of their qualification(s)

When deciding whether to withdraw approval we are also required by ASCLA (s.ZA2) to

  • consider the reasonable requirements of employers and learners
  • ensure that education and training within our remit:
  • is of an appropriate quality
  • represents good value in relation to financial resources provided out of public funds
  • consider any information provided to us by any person designated by the Secretary of State for this purpose

We oversee the skills system and periodically review approved qualifications. We may, therefore, question the ability of a qualification to deliver for employers. For example, we may decide to withdraw approval of a qualification that:

  • demonstrates a weak relationship between achievement and progression
  • has low starts and/or completion rates

The above list is not exhaustive. We may consider other matters as appropriate.

 

2. Process for deciding whether to withdraw approval

Where we decide that a qualification must be revised or have approval withdrawn, we will take the following steps.

We will first consider whether any changes to the qualification would allow it to continue to be approved. Where changes must be made to allow continued approval, we will:

Where the issue cannot be resolved by changes to the qualification, or the AO has failed to make changes following a change request, we will notify the AO that we may withdraw the qualification’s approval. We will provide the AO with the reasons why we are considering withdrawing approval.

AOs can provide relevant additional evidence for continued approval. Unless agreed by exception, this evidence must be provided within three weeks from the date of the withdrawal notification.

Following a review of additional evidence, our Approval Committee will decide whether to withdraw approval. This will usually take eight weeks from the date of receipt of additional information, depending on the complexity of the withdrawal under consideration. 

 

3. Process for withdrawing approval

We will confirm our decision, notifying the AO in writing of:

  • the qualification’s updated approval status
  • the reasons for withdrawing approval (if applicable)
  • the date from which the updated status takes effect
  • any next steps required by the AO

Where the decision is to withdraw approval, the AO must take the steps set out within the withdrawal notification. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • re-titling qualifications
  • removing kitemarks (where applicable)
  • updating the regulator (for example, by amending the qualification type on the Ofqual register)

We will also notify relevant stakeholders of our formal decision to withdraw approval, including:

  • regulatory organisation(s)
  • the Department for Education (DfE)
  • the Student Loans Company (if appropriate)

AOs have the right to request a procedural review of our withdrawal decision via the procedural review process.

For any further information, please contact ifate.post16@education.gov.uk for level 2 and 3 TQs and HTQ.approvals@education.gov.uk for HTQs. 

 

 

Published 24 February 2025
Last updated 26 February 2025
(MG, NS)