Ofqual has been accused of driving an awarding body out of the apprenticeship assessment market with an “excruciating” and “unfair” investigation that left its business “untenable” and owner feeling suicidal.
QFI Ltd has surrendered its recognition as an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) amid a series of proposed special conditions from the exams regulator, which would include a public statement that it can’t register apprentices without permission.
The company claimed Ofqual used “minor” and “petty” data errors to impose the conditions, as well as “inappropriate evidence gathering” including a near-five hour “interrogation” of the responsible officer that forced her to turn to stress medication.
Chief executive Richard McClelland has spoken out about how the six-month “traumatic” audit affected his team’s mental and physical wellbeing. Ofqual simply denied this after concerns were raised and put the company “to strict proof” of the allegation.
