3: Findings
This section outlines the findings from the TPQF current and proposed quality assurance processes review.
3.1 Review of TPQI current and proposed quality assurance processes
3.1.1 Occupational standards (units of competence, qualifications and assessment tools)
This activity is the responsibility of the Bureau of National Professional Qualification System (BNPQS).
NZQA’s observation
Senior project managers maintain oversight of project deliverables across all projects and monitor their own projects. Each project has a 365 day (one year) timeframe. 185 days are allocated to the development of assessment tools (including piloting).
The Occupational Standards manual provides broad guidance to project managers and consultants contracted to undertake the project. The manual includes information about the Thailand Professional Qualifications Framework (TPQF) level descriptors, requirements of a function roadmap and function analysis, units of competence design, and assessment tool development.
The process for developing the competency-based occupational standards and professional qualifications is stated in the Terms of Reference (see Appendix Three). This is an important part of the contract signed between TPQI and consultants.
There are three key components to the occupational standards development process: preparation, development (including assessment tools), and publication, and five project deliverable sign-off points: industrial situations analysis report, overseas study (literature review), occupational standards development final drafts, assessment tools final drafts, and following publication.
The consultant is accountable for ensuring that the units of competence, professional qualifications and assessment material meet technical requirements.
The consultant is also accountable for submitting materials and a summary report to the endorsement board review and endorsement. While project managers monitor progress and the quality of materials being developed, they have no direct input into the reports provided to the endorsement committee. Their attendance at endorsement board meetings is mainly as an observer.
Quality assurance sign-off of the units of competency, qualifications, and assessment tools occurs through each project’s endorsement board. Endorsement boards include representatives from each part of the sector, industry and profession. Representatives are typically industry and professional leaders and senior managers.
Endorsement board quality assurance meetings are usually for a day. Endorsement boards meet to review and sign-off the draft units of competence and qualifications and again to review and sign-off the assessment material. Meetings are usually for a day. While this sign-off includes assurance that the materials meet technical requirements, the process is primarily a systems check to ensure that due process has been followed.
Project deliverable sign-offs occur through the project’s deliverable committee. These are TPQI internal committees. The project manager is responsible for the establishment of their project’s