Working together, UCOL and Muka Tangata are building a positive relationship that is supporting outcomes for ākonga (learners).

In 2022, UCOL and Muka Tangata identified a group of Primary Industries sector assessment materials being used by UCOL that had not been recently checked for quality prior to assessment; or ‘pre-assessment moderated’.

This had resulted in a number not meeting post-moderation requirements; that is consistency and appropriateness of marking ākonga skills.

Muka Tangata Quality Assurance and Enhancement (QAE) team carried out a hui whakapūmau (site visit) with UCOL with the academic staff involved with the Primary Industries to start building a working relationship, discuss the moderation results and agree a plan to get the assessment materials to the standard required and pre-moderated by Muka Tangata.

From September 2022, UCOL sent 10 assessments to Muka Tangata for pre-assessment moderation. Some needed further work and between the QAE team and Bob Stewart, UCOL Primary Industries and Portfolio Manager, these were revised and successfully pre-moderated.

UCOL met post-moderation requirements in 2023.

Muka Tangata team has been back to UCOL for hui with Bob, where he reflected on their clear feedback, availability to assist where possible and open communication. During this hui he was able to talk about the practices he was proud of, and this has been noted in the report provided to Bob after the meeting.

“It’s been a really great process with Muka Tangata. They’ve taken a carrot rather than a stick approach, genuinely working with us face-to-face on site, as well as through email and phone.

“They’ve provided a lot of great suggestions, and thanks to this support we’ve developed a whole new suite of user-friendly materials, that I have real confidence in because of the rigorous process we’ve been through.”

Further to this, the QAE team attended an onsite observation of a chainsaw and vehicle capstone assessment, where Bob and the tutor walked through their assessment practices, and demonstrated how they collect evidence in a practical setting while maintaining health and safety for their ākonga.

“It was a neat day. They were able to get a sense of how we do things, be reassured and continue to get to know us. I feel I’ve got connections at Muka Tangata now, people who are easy to deal with and helpful and I know I can contact them when I’ve got a question and it’ll be no hassle.”

This open communication will continue going forward, with Bob feeling comfortable to ask for support where he has any doubt in his practices and encouraging his UCOL counterparts to engage with the different Workforce Development Councils in the same way.