Frequently Asked Questions
ACCREDITATION
PRE ASSESSMENT MODERATION
POST ASSESSMENT MODERATION
FITEC APPROVED ASSESSMENT MATERIALS
APPEALS
MEETING MODERATION REQUIREMENTS
MODERATION VISITS
NON COMPLIANCE
How do I apply to obtain or extend NQF accreditation?
Only NZQA can approve accreditation applications, with the support of FITEC for the unit standards we manage that are registered on the NQF. Click on the link below to see an explanation of the overall process and obtain a copy of NZQA's Accreditation Application Form.
How do I apply for NQF accreditation? (NZQA)
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What do I have to do to get ITO support prior to sending my accreditation application to NZQA?
Obtain a copy of the Accreditation Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) that covers the scope of accreditation required from the NZQA website. (Note: AMAP 0173 covers the majority of domains and unit standards FITEC is the Standard Setting Body for, click here to view this on the NZQA website.
Address all criterion specified under 'General requirements for accreditation' and any criterion under the 'Industry or sector-specific requirements for accreditation' if relevant to the scope of accreditation being applied for.
Submit your application in writing to the Programme Quality Manager at FITEC (refer to AMAP for contact details or click here to email.
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How long does it take to obtain or extend accreditation?
FITEC will contact you within 20 working days or provide a letter of support. However, as only NZQA can approve accreditation applications the timeframe is unknown. For this reason, apply for any accreditation requirements well in advance of these being needed.
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How much will it cost to obtain or extend accreditation?
Costs vary depending on the scope of accreditation being applied for. There is a link to a schedule of fees for this work from the applicable AMAP, click here to view this.
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What are the requirements if I write my own assessment materials?
All assessment materials for FITEC managed unit standards must be submitted for Pre Assessment Moderation and approved before use. The moderator has up to 20 working days to report back so please ensure that you allow as much time as possible for this process, as in general more than one submission is required.
(Refer to the FAQ about 'FITEC APPROVED ASSESSMENT MATERIALS'. FITEC has a significant range of approved assessment materials available).
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Do I have to submit any approved material that I have changed for pre assessment moderation?
It may not be required if the change is very minor, however to avoid any issues contact the National Moderator External and check before proceeding to use any amended materials for assessment. Click here to email the National Moderator - External.
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What do I need to submit for pre assessment moderation?
You need to submit the assessment task(s) that match the unit standard being assessed and the assessment schedule which contains qualitative (how well) and quantitative (how much) evidence and judgement statement(s). Teaching and learning resources do not have to be submitted for moderation.
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Does every range statement in a unit standard need to be assessed?
When a range statement:
- is stated in the special notes, the range items must be applied to all elements of the unit standard
- appears immediately below the element, then the range items must be applied to all performance criteria (PC) in that element
- appears immediately below the PC, then the range items must be applied against that PC
Note the application of the range statement is to be as stated eg if a range states 'may include' or 'any one of four' etc these type of range statements are the only ones that allow any form of selection.
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Does every Performance Criteria have to be assessed?
Performance Criteria (PC) set out the minimum requirements that must be assessed. However, there does not have to be a task for every PC.
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How does FITEC make selections for Post Assessment Moderation?
FITEC uses an NZQA Credit Report which shows all the unit standards that have been reported by each accredited organisation for the standards FITEC manages.
If your organisation reported any credits in the previous year FITEC will write to your organisation in the first quarter of the following year and explain what you have to do to meet the annual moderation requirements.
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What do I have to send for Post Assessment Moderation?
Usually the requirement is to submit one sample of candidate work recently assessed as competent for each unit standard selected. Photocopies may be sent as long as they are legible.
The requested sample(s) must be attached to a Moderation Cover Sheet and submitted by the due date specified. (A copy of the cover sheet will be sent with the request but it can also be downloaded from FITEC's website - click here to download a copy).
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What will happen if I cannot send candidate samples requested for Post Assessment Moderation?
Contact FITEC, National Moderator External prior to the due date if you have any questions. We will work with you to either change your organisation's submission date to when samples will be assessed and ready for national external moderation, or select an alternative standard. Click here to email the National Moderator - External.
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Do I need to submit a copy of the Assessment Schedule for Post Assessment Moderation?
No, not if the assessment materials are produced by FITEC. If the materials have been produced by your organisation and approved by FITEC prior to use you will need to submit a copy of the Schedule. Although FITEC keeps records of these materials it is also recommended that you submit a copy of the Pre-assessment Moderation Report verifying this approval.
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If assessor decision(s) are not verified, what will this mean?
This does not affect the candidate's results and they are still awarded the credits. If the organisation is required to do anything more than take this feedback onboard to improve performance and it is not a matter of ongoing non compliance, any resubmission requirements will be identified in the 'Action Required' section of the Moderation Report. Click here to see a copy of the FITEC Moderation Report.
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How do I obtain FITEC approved assessment materials?
To obtain a pdf file of FITEC approved assessment materials:
Click here if you have registered already and enter your individual user name and password. Once you are logged in, type in the number of the unit standard you are looking for and click on the download button to obtain a pdf file of the assessment material and schedule.
Click here to register for this service.
If you experience any difficulties with any of these services please email info@fitec.org.nz . Alternatively please call FITEC on 0800 11 99 11 and ask for assistance.
Note: Due to the feedback FITEC receives, new and impoved issues of materials are sometimes released ie the last issue is the best, so do not save any copies, always check that you have the latest issue (check issue number and date of issue versus the copy available for downloading).
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Is the Moderators work checked as part of the quality assurance process?
Yes, all moderation reports are checked by the National Moderator for the relevant industry sector before they are sent out.
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Who do I contact if I require clarification or have concerns regarding the results and/or comments on a moderation report?
One of the roles of the National Moderator External is to provide support and guidance. It is recommended that you contact the National Moderator External in the first instance before formally appealing any Moderation Report by putting it in writing to the FITEC Programme Quality Manager as specified in the AMAP. Click here to email the National Moderator - External.
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When a unit standard has been reviewed and superceded by a new version, replaced by a new unit standard or is expiring, how long can I keep assessing the old version or replaced unit standard?
Changes are made to unit standards as they are no longer 'fit for purpose'. FITEC expects that the latest version of any unit standard is assessed in any new programme of learning that is commenced.
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Why isn't it appropriate to report credits for learners who completed their programmes more than three years ago without carrying out a formal process?
Whenever any credit is being reported, the assessor must have sufficient evidence that the learner can demonstrate they meet all the requirements of unit standard. Without checking, there is no way for the assessor to know that skills are still current ie recognition of current competency (RCC) should be carried out based on a portfolio of evidence. It is recommended that you contact the National Moderator - External for assistance to complete the RCC process.
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How long do I have to keep samples for moderation?
FITEC's policy is that samples must be kept for moderation purposes for 18 months.
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Why is FITEC carrying out moderation visits on site for practical units at level three and above?
The reason for visiting is stated in the AMAP ie "Due to the significant safety, health, production, quality and environmental issues covered in FITEC managed standards; FITEC may conduct site visits to each accredited organisation active in assessing practical unit standards at level 3 or above."
During a moderation visit FITEC may observe practical assessments being carried out and as part of this process, may also review systems to monitor how effectively an organisation manages its accountability and improvement responsibilities. However, the two types of moderation visits may occur at different times.
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What can I expect to happen in a moderation visit?
Refer to FITEC's website under 'Resource/Moderation ' section and download the 'TEO Moderation Report Visit - (on site observation of practical only)', the 'TEO Moderation Report Visit - (system review)' and the 'TEO Visit Candidate Interview Recording' forms.
Although all aspects of these forms may not be covered in a visit, the forms will give you some idea of what to expect.
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Why are the Moderation Visit Report forms so focused?
FITEC wishes to move from quality control to quality enhancement by providing more specific support and guidance to your organisation as it strives to make continuous improvements.
This type of reporting is in line with the External Evaluation and Review process that is carried out by NZQA and will provide evidence of any ongoing improvements made by your organisation.
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What does my organisation have to do to avoid being non compliant?
To meet FITEC national external moderation requirements, your organisation is required to:
- facilitate moderation visits as requested
- meet moderation deadlines
- provide assessment materials/use pre approved assessment material to make assessor judgements that are fair, valid and consistent
FITEC will report on-going non-compliance to the appropriate Quality Assurance Body (*QAB) eg NZQA, ITPQ) and your CEO
* QABs: NZQA, the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics Quality (ITP Quality).
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