The transformational approach being taken by the Ringa Hora Quality Assurance team has led to a successful collaboration with Queenstown Resort College (QRC).
The QA team is constantly growing and considering what transformation looks like, testing new ways of thinking, and building on its robust moderation systems. This year the focus was on a transformational way of engaging with providers: getting out into communities and visiting providers and schools.
Insights and feedback gained in these visits are being used to inform the team’s practices, and one of those is the desire to take a more kanohi ki te kanohi approach to the mahi.
This approach came to fruition when the opportunity came to work in a highly collaborative way with QRC this year.
QRC wanted to adopt the New Zealand Certificate in Sector Service Skills, developed by Ringa Hora as a result of the Future of Service Skills (FoSS) project. This qualification allows for short, sharp, stackable credentials to be stacked into a programme toward qualification, ultimately allowing for transferability of skills that are desirable in the services sectors.
To help QRC’s team achieve this, Ringa Hora worked with them to structure their programme, endorse it, and support their consent to assess of standards used in the programme.
Internally, the Quality Assurance and Qualifications teams joined forces for this project.
The Qualifications team focused on assisting QRC with the structure of their programme, making use of FoSS products, such as the Ringa Hora-developed Core Service Sector Skills micro-credential, as well as some QRC developed micro-credentials.
The Quality Assurance team focussed on endorsing the programme and supporting consent to assess. This involved carrying out some initial groundwork that included looking over existing applications and evidence we already have on file to minimise the amount of reproduction of evidence for QRC.
After this work, a team from Ringa Hora headed to QRC campus in Queenstown to spend a couple of days discussing their approach to teaching and learning, gaining insights into their business, and sighting evidence.
This mahi varied greatly from standard Ringa Hora application processes but is one the team hopes has been beneficial for the provider and ultimately for QRC students.
QRC Head of School Lynsey Bullock says by enabling real-time conversation, the purpose and need for the qualification was better established, and it helped facilitate greater understanding between Ringa Hora and QRC.
“(This approach) removed barriers for open communication often unintentionally raised via emails and phone. The two-day dialogue permitted more effective relationship building and from that, the ability to work through issues, queries, and ensure understanding.
“We believe much of the value of our education model is best showcased by our students, so it was great to have Leigh, Syd, and Erin on campus and get a better feel for QRC.”
If anyone is interested in adopting the Future of Service Skills products, or engaging with the QA team more directly, they can email [email protected].
