Information for NCRQ learners

25 October 2022

Following the news that NCRQ is no longer delivering AIM qualifications, we have created these FAQs to help answer some of the questions being asked by learners.

Updated 4.1.2023

Q1. Can I apply for GRADIOSH?
A. Learners with either the AIM Level 6 Certificate in Applied Health and Safety or the AIM Level 6 Diploma in Applied Health and Safety are eligible to apply for IOSH Membership. Information on membership for NCRQ learners can be found on the IOSH website. 

Q2. Is it possible to get a diploma grade on previous HSD1 and HSD2 or an interview to discuss my competencies?
A. To achieve the NCRQ Level 6 Diploma in Applied Health and Safety, learners must have achieved both the Level 6 Certificate in Applied Health and Safety (HSD1) and the Level 6 Certificate in Personal Injury Liability and Absence Reduction (HSD2) and pass the HSD3 final assessment and validation interview.  It should be noted that these are three separate qualifications.  
Learners who haven’t completed their qualifications who want to continue their studies via an alternative qualification should read the information given on the IOSH website. IOSH accredits a number of awarding organisations’ qualifications and has provided an overview of other IOSH-accredited qualifications where Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be an option for continuing studies. 

Q3. Why is AIM not allowing resubmissions
A. AIM will communicate with learners on an individual basis if the outcome of their assignment is a near pass. We will make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Q4. I am part way through studying and need study material to complete.
A. AIM is not a training provider and does not have the intellectual property for the teaching, learning and assessment packs for any of these three qualifications. Learners who haven’t completed their qualification who want to continue their studies via an alternative qualification should read the information given on the IOSH website. IOSH accredits a number of awarding organisations’ qualifications has provided an overview of other IOSH-accredited qualifications where Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be an option for continuing studies. 

Q5. Will my HSD3 assignment get marked as soon as I submit it to AIM? 
A. AIM will allocate your assignment to an assessor as soon as we receive it. It will be logged and assessed in date order. As there are a number of assessments to mark it will take time to get through all the submissions. The assessor will communicate with the learner to provide assignment feedback and to arrange a validation interview once the assignment has been marked.

Q6. What happens if I fail my HSD3 assignment?
A. Where the outcome of the assignment is borderline ie a near pass, AIM will communicate with the learner and will make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Q7. What happens if I get a refer on my HSD3 assignment?
A. AIM will not issue ‘refers’. Instead, where the outcome of the assignment is borderline ie a near pass, AIM will communicate with the learner and will make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Q8. I was waiting for my final assignment details to be sent but I didn’t receive anything.
A. AIM is not a training provider and does not have the intellectual property for the teaching, learning and assessment packs for any of these three qualifications. Learners who haven’t completed their qualification who want to continue their studies via an alternative qualification should read the information given on the IOSH website. IOSH accredits a number of awarding organisations’ qualifications has provided an overview of other IOSH-accredited qualifications where Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be an option for continuing studies.

Q9. I had resubmitted my HSD3 assignment and was waiting for a mark, what should I do?
A. If you haven’t already completed the online form (deadline 31 December 2022) to arrange for your assignment to be marked by the AIM assessor, please contact our enquiries team on enquiries@aimgroup.org.uk

Q10. I started my HSD3 submission as NCRQ folded. Should I complete that assignment or complete a new one?
A. If you haven’t already completed the online form (deadline 31 December 2022) to arrange for your assignment to be marked by the AIM assessor, please contact our enquiries team on enquiries@aimgroup.org.uk

Q11. I submitted my HSD3 assignment to NCRQ and was waiting for a mark. Do you need me to do a new assignment?
A. If you haven’t already completed the online form (deadline 31 December 2022) to arrange for your assignment to be marked by the AIM assessor, please contact our enquiries team on enquiries@aimgroup.org.uk

Q12. I had paid for a resubmission in September but this didn’t get submitted.  Can I still do an assignment?
A. If you haven’t already completed the online form (deadline 31 December 2022) to arrange for your assignment to be marked by the AIM assessor, please contact our enquiries team on enquiries@aimgroup.org.uk

Q13. Why is AIM only supporting HSD3 learners
A. The aim for the majority of learners is to complete HSD3. There are three components to HSD3 of which AIM has two quality assured verified results on our system. AIM has committed to supporting those learners if they are able to submit their final assignment by 30 September 2023.
For HSD1 and HSD2 there are four and three components respectively of which AIM does not have quality assured verified results, therefore we unable to validate and award those learners nor enable them to achieve their aim to complete HSD3.

Updated 23.11.2022

Today, an email has been sent to all NCRQ learners who have left contact details with AIM. A copy of the letter can be found below. 

Please note, this only applies to the following qualifications: 
        HSD1 - Level 6 Certificate in Applied Health & Safety
        HSD2 - Level 6 Certificate in Personal Injury Liability
        HSD3 - Level 6 Diploma in Applied Health & Safety

Fire Risk qualification - This qualification was only recognised by AIM Qualifications on 1 Sept 22. AIM does not have any learners registered on this course. We recommend NCRQ clients contact the administrators if they wish to make a financial claim against NCRQ. 

NCRQ Level 3 Safety for Managers - This was not an AIM qualification so we are unable to offer any advice or information for learners on this course. NCRQ clients should contact the administrators if they wish to make a financial claim against NCRQ. 

“I am writing to ask for your help to collect some personal data which will help us to identify any potential measures that AIM might be able to put in place to support clients of NCRQ, ie learners who have not been registered with AIM. 
The AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group has initially prioritised its support for learners who were registered with AIM, by NCRQ. However, we are aware that there are other learners, not registered with AIM, who are at various stages of their learning journey, who are also looking for advice. By completing this form, AIM will be able to assess each situation individually and provide a response to address your specific situation as quickly and efficiently as possible. 
Please note that this form will not discuss/support any financial dispute you may have with NCRQ. Claims should be made directly to the administrators on NCRQ@btguk.com .  

Updated 9.11.2022

Q1. Why haven’t I heard from AIM?
A     Your relationship was with NCRQ and not with AIM. AIM has no data sharing agreement with NCRQ for the exchange of learner data unless those learners were registered with AIM. We only have contact details and records for AIM-registered learners or those learners who have recently been in contact with our enquiries team and left their details. So, if you’ve not already done so, please contact us.

Q2. I completed my course and had my validation interview but haven’t been sent my certificate? 
A    All AIM-registered learners who successfully completed their course and validation interview have been sent certificates. However, we have identified some named, completed assessments/portfolios for learners not registered with AIM and for whom we have no contact details. We have managed to crossmatch most of these named portfolios with names on our enquiries list. We have emailed these learners and once we have completed ID checks, we will be arranging registration so that, where possible, we can issue certificates. If you think we may have your completed portfolio but you haven’t already sent us your contact details, please contact our enquiries team. 

Q3. Am I registered with AIM?  
A    If you haven’t received a certificate or been asked for your ID, then chances are, you are not registered with AIM. If you’ve not already left your details with us, please email our enquiries team to check that we don’t have your portfolio (as described in question 2 above).

Q4. I already have one certificate for the first module of my diploma, so I must be registered with you?
A    Learners who were registered with AIM, were registered against specific qualifications eg
        HSD1 - Level 6 Certificate in Applied Health & Safety
        HSD2 - Level 6 Certificate in Personal Injury Liability
        HSD3 - Level 6 Diploma in Applied Health & Safety
So you may have signed up with NCRQ for the full diploma but only be registered with AIM on one qualification. This means we only have your learner records for that particular qualification. 

Q5. Can I make a financial claim?
A    We have been informed that NCRQ entered into administration on 25 October 2022 and that Paul Stanley and Jason Greenhalgh have been appointed as joint administrators see https://insolvencyintel.co.uk/ncrq-ltd. If you believe you have a financial claim against NCRQ, please contact them.
      Administrator details:
      Begbies Traynor
      No 1 Old Hall Street,
      Liverpool, L3 9HF
      Tel:  0151 227 4010
      Email:  NCRQ@btguk.com or sam.litchfield@btguk.com

Q6. Can I transfer to another provider to complete my AIM qualification?
A    As your contract with NCRQ has ended you should contact the administrators in the first instance. At this time no other provider offers these AIM qualifications but you may choose to enrol with a provider that offers comparable qualifications.

• If a regulated qualification is important to you, you should ask the new provider for the name of the awarding organisation to ensure the qualification is accredited. 
• If you wish to join a professional body now or in the future, check that the new qualification is recognised by the relevant chartered professional bodies for membership.
• You may be asked to pay the full or discounted fee: Please discuss options with your new provider.

Q7. Do individual modules have a transferable credit value?
A     The qualifications you have been registered on are regulated qualifications which are listed on the Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF). This means AIM, as an awarding organisation, has to work within the regulations. When the qualifications are accredited the structure of the qualification (mandatory and optional units) is set and we cannot put units together to make a different regulated qualification outside of that structure. Credits listed on RQF qualifications are used as part of determining the structure (for example XX credits needed from optional units) and not as part of a credit transfer scheme in the way universities may allow transfer between institutions. 

You may potentially be able to present work for other similar qualifications where a centre may agree to accept this as part of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. For this they would need to assess the work you have completed against the qualification and either accept as RPL or require you to complete more assessments. The more similar the qualifications, the more likely and the easier RPL.

Q8.  Why can’t AIM transfer me to another provider?
A      We have met with a number of potential alternative training providers who have been unable to progress through Centre Recognition processes with us.  We must be clear that there is no guarantee that another provider will be identified. 

Q9. I completed an NCRQ course two years ago and got the certificate is this now an invalid qualification?
A    The quality and integrity of the AIM/NCRQ certificate remains unchanged and the qualification currency is still valid.
 
Q10. Can I pay for a private assessor to mark my work?
A       These are regulated qualifications meaning that AIM can only accept assessed work through its recognised centres.

Previous FAQs from 25.10.22

Q1. Why can’t AIM deliver the Health and Safety Qualifications?
A    AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group is an Awarding Organisation and not a training provider. AIM’s remit is to develop qualifications for colleges, training providers and private centres to deliver.

Q2. Who can deliver AIM qualifications?
A    Any organisation wanting to delivering AIM qualifications must undergo a rigorous set of checks to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and resources to deliver the training, as well as having sound business and financial plans (amongst other things). These checks are conducted prior to any contractual arrangements being agreed. Recognised AIM centres are then monitored and supported to deliver the qualification in accordance with regulatory requirements. Currently there are no other organisations approved to deliver these qualifications.

Q3. What has happened to NCRQ?
A    NCRQ was an AIM recognised centre and has been delivering AIM health and safety qualifications for a number of years. That relationship ended on 30^th September this year when NCRQ informed AIM that the organisation was going into liquidation with immediate effect and therefore unable to deliver AIM qualifications.

Q4. I thought learners were being transferred to Hatten Education?
A    NCRQ proposed that affected learners be transferred to another training provider, Hatten Education. As AIM had no previous relationship with Hatten, the approval processes, as outlined in bullet point 2, applied. Unfortunately Hatten failed to meet these requirements.

Q5. I completed my course with NCRQ in early September and have had my validation interview. Will I get a certificate?
A    Certificates have now been sent to registered learners.

Q6. I completed my course but didn’t have my validation interview – what happens now?
A    AIM is continuing to seek an appropriate delivery partner to undertake interviews.

Q7. I started my course with NCRQ but didn’t complete the training – what should I do?
A    We understand that there are likely to be significant numbers of learners who have not been registered with AIM. AIM recommends that all former NCRQ learners retain any coursework they have undertaken as evidence, as this will help to expediate transfers should an alternative provider be identified.

Q8. How do I know if I’m registered with AIM?
A    AIM will have your details and we will be in contact with you. However, if you haven’t heard from AIM, and you believe you are a registered learner, please contact AIM.

Q9. I already have a NCRQ/AIM certificate, is it still valid and can I use it for professional registration?
A    The quality, and integrity of the AIM/NCRQ certificate remains unchanged and the qualification currency is still valid.
 

This page will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.

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