Des is known to many of you as one of our busy and very capable Assessors. He is working steadily towards attaining his Master’s Degree and his Msc Learning Contract has been approved by the University of Portsmouth.

The first unit, relating to Learning Management, comprised of an essay submitted after attending a series of lectures at the University of Portsmouth. Des has already passed this unit.

He is currently working on a succession of units relating to research into aspects of work based learning (WBL).

The second unit is entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Survey Techniques”. The learning outcome objective of this unit is to assist a training provider, specifically The EDF, to survey employers through questions designed to determine the ‘added value’ which candidates bring to the company they work for by achieving a work-based qualification in an engineering related subject.

The next unit is entitled “Standards and Standardisation in  Competence Based Qualifications”. Research in this unit arises from Des’ own experience in training candidates to gain the then Farriers Training Agency forging certificate, (NPTC/City and Guilds) enabling them to progress to an apprenticeship as a farrier. Des held the opinion that the standards applied in the test pieces, which the candidates were required to produce, were ambiguous and open to too much interpretation. He still believes that although improvements have been made, they don’t go far enough: the research in this unit is intended to address these issues.

Fourth unit: “E-portfolio-based NVQs – the fiscal advantages for private training providers”. Des intends to determine the cost effectiveness or otherwise of this online method of evidence-gathering.

Next unit title: “Using NVQs to demonstrate competence in Higher Education programmes”. Here the research is intended to examine the scope and impact of EU initiatives relating to requirements for competence-based qualifications for a range of engineers, who may find themselves working in a ‘hands-on enviroment’ and the possibilty of the NVQ, becoming a component of certain HNCs, HNDs or degrees, where candidates have not, followed the useual apprenticeship programme routes.

The other unit is “Reflective review of Learning”, which will examine the impact of the research programme on Des’ own work.

Des reckons to have submitted all units by March 2011: we expect he will apply himself to the project with his usual high levels of dedication and commitment.