A note from Pieter as he steps into retirement
After 25+ years in the PTE sector, I’m retiring to spend more time with whānau and with a baritone ukulele. Since helping a PTE achieve registration at the turn of the century, I’ve become obsessed with supporting PTEs to assure their own quality and meet the needs of key stakeholders, including NZQA.
This learning has been shaped by the hundreds of PTE people who’ve attended my workshops since 2011, mostly covering Self-Assessment for EER, Achieving Excellence in Pastoral Care, and Preparing for a Consistency Review.
Like many of us, my appreciation of vocational training has continued to grow over the years. And the role really has been a vocation, not a job.
Luckily, we’ve found someone new and fresh who will be joining QED, and our application to NZQA is underway. We’ll be announcing them soon, with the takeover planned for the 1st of January (when ISBs replace WDCs, which replaced ITOs!). I’m highly confident you’ll be delighted to know who it is, given their excellent experience and skill set.
Many thanks to my favourite PTE directors, creative CEOs, mindful academic managers, administration geniuses, top tutors, methodical assessors, and thorough moderators, you who you are!
Ngā mihi nui ki a koe.
A note from the QED Co-Directors
It has been a pleasure working with Pieter. His expertise, clarity, and quietly steady leadership have been invaluable to QED and to our clients. We’re grateful for everything he has contributed and wish him all the best for a very well-deserved retirement.
QED External Moderation Results
A Strong Endorsement of Quality
We’re pleased to share that QED Associates has once again received excellent results from our most recent round of external post-assessment moderation. The four unit standards submitted were confirmed as meeting the National Standard, with moderators commending the strength, clarity, and reliability of our assessment practices.
Moderators highlighted the quality of our assessor judgements, the sufficiency and relevance of learner evidence, and the clear, constructive feedback provided to learners. They also noted the professionalism shown through well-structured marking schedules, strong alignment to unit standard requirements, and the authentic, industry-relevant evidence gathered across a wide range of contexts. This is a great reflection of the care and consistency our team puts into maintaining high-quality assessment and moderation systems.
A small number of recommendations were made, centred on refining documentation and strengthening some of our internal processes as we prepare for the transition to the new Community and Health ISB in 2026. These recommendations align with our existing quality improvement plans and provide helpful direction for further streamlining our assessment resources.
Overall, we are proud of these results and grateful to our assessors and moderators who continue to uphold the high standards QED is known for. We remain committed to high-quality, fair, and transparent assessment practices that support learner success and sector confidence.
Congratulations to ...
It’s great to hear about the success our clients have achieved with the support of our team. We’re proud to have played a role in helping them reach their goals.
Congratulations to:
Professional IQ - for gaining approval and accreditation for the New Zealand Certificate in Credit Administration (Level 3) and the New Zealand Certificate in Credit Management (Level 4).
Plunket - for achieving an excellent EER outcome:
Category 1 - Highly Confident / Highly Confident.
IPU - for achieving a strong EER result: Category 2 - Confident / Confident.
Bodhi - for achieving an excellent EER outcome: Category 1 - Highly Confident / Confident.
Our team is committed to providing quality support, and it’s rewarding to see these results reflect the effort and care our clients put into their mahi. We appreciate the trust they place in us and look forward to continuing to assist them in the future.
We would also like to acknowledge a longstanding client who, through their own hard work and internal dedication, have successfully gained PTE registration. Although QED did not assist with their application, we are delighted to celebrate their achievement. Well done, Traffic Management Academy.
If you're working on a project and would like assistance, please feel free to reach out to any of our team members via our website www.qedassociates.co.nz or email one of the team;
Andy Leader: aleader@qedassociates.co.nz
Dana Brown: dana@qedassociates.co.nz
Lock in staff training for 2026
So, Christmas and the New Year are coming, and it’s time to relax and forget about planning - WRONG!!!
Now is the time to plan your staff development for next year and avoid scrabbling around trying to find training and available spaces when you and your staff are at your most stressed.
PLUS - secure the training you need at 2025 prices!
New and unqualified teacher/trainers will need the New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 4), QED’s 3-module programme:
Module 3: 12th & 13th of February 2026 -
- Assess Performance (US4098)
Module 1: 12th & 13th of March 2026 -
- Plan and Prepare for Training and Education (US7093 & US29690)
Module 2: 23rd & 24th of April 2026 -
- Deliver and Review Training and Education (US29692 & US29693)
Lock in these dates now to secure places on these must-have workshops.
2025 Early Bird Rate: $700 + GST per module, per person.
For existing staff with the NZCATT Level 4, it’s time to step up to Level 5 - the New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 5). QED’s 5-module programme is now offered in two three-day workshops:
Modules 4, 5 & 8: 13th - 15th of May 2026 -
- Plan and Prepare Advanced Learner-Centred Learning (US29689) +
- Facilitate Advanced Learner-Centred Learning (US29691) +
- Review and Improve Own Education and Training Practice (US7110)
2025 Early Bird Rate: $1,550 + GST per person.
Modules 6 & 7: 10th - 12th June 2026 -
- Design and Evaluate Assessments (US11552) +
- Moderate Assessments (US11551)
2025 Early Bird Rate: $1,200 + GST per person.
Put your staff on the QED Professional Development Programme. Just six days of training per qualification, plus related assessments, to develop qualified and effective trainers/teachers.
Expand their skills in facilitating engaging, learner-centred education rather than perpetuating the old “sit, watch, and listen to 37 slides” approach!
Develop their ability to design and moderate assessments so you are well placed under NZQA's new classification regime - backed by robust moderation results and strong, learner-centred quality assurance.
Check out the dates for our workshops below!
Note: If the scheduled dates don’t suit, please contact Andy or Dana to discuss alternative dates and opportunities to customise the training at your location. **Minimum participant numbers apply.
Email Dana Brown at admin@qedassociates.co.nz or call Andy Leader on 027 222 4180 to secure a place on QED Associates Professional Development Programme.
Enrol now for QED training courses - Level 4
We are taking bookings now for our Level 4 : New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching, (NZCATT) programme:
Successful completion of modules 1 to 3 and the accompanying assignments will result in the award of the New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching level 4.
Module 1 - Planning and preparing for training and education
This covers Unit Standards 7093: Design learning sessions for adults, and 29690: Describe principles and theories of adult learning
The workshop will enable you to:
- Describe principles and theories of adult learning
- Design and plan well structured training sessions
- Write SMART learning outcomes
- Plan delivery and assessment processes of learning sessions
- Identify barriers to learning and strategies to combat them
- Develop ways to successfully train people from other cultures
Two-Day workshop: 12th & 13th of March 2026
Module 2 - Deliver and review training and education
This covers Unit Standards 29692: Deliver learning sessions for adults, and 29693: Review, evaluate and identify areas of improvement for own adult education teaching practice.
The workshop will enable you to:
- Cater for different learning styles
- Deliver training sessions that fully involve trainees
- Use a range of delivery methods
- Prepare and use a variety of learning aids
- Review and evaluate the effectiveness of learning sessions
- Identify areas of improvement for own adult education teaching practice
Two-Day workshop: 23rd & 24th of April 2026
NB: you need to have attended Module 1 before you do Module 2
Module 3 - Assess performance
This covers Unit Standards: 4098: Use standards to assess candidate performance
The workshop will enable you to:
- Identify standards based assessment principles
- Assess knowledge and practical skills
- Plan assessment and prepare candidates
- Gather and verify assessment evidence
- Make assessment decisions
- Give feedback to candidates and recording assessment data
Two-Day workshop: 12th & 13th of February 2026
Course Fees:
Two day course fee: $750 per participant, or $700 special early-bird rate if you pay more than two weeks prior to start date, (fees exclude GST).
Please visit our website http://www.qedassociates.co.nz for more information.
Enrolments are open, please email admin@qedassociates.co.nz to make your booking.
Enrol now for QED training courses - Level 5
Taking bookings now - Level 5 : New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching, (NZCATT)
Successful completion of modules 4 to 8 and the accompanying assignments will result in the award of the New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching level 5.
Please visit our website http://www.qedassociates.co.nz to register for one of our workshops.
Combined Module 4, 5 & 8 workshop
Three-Day workshop: 13th, 14th & 15th of May 2026
Module 4 - Plan and prepare advanced learner-centred learning
Module 5 - Facilitate advanced learner-centred learning
Module 8 - Evaluate and improve own professional knowledge and practice in adult education
This three-day workshop covers Unit Standard: 29689: Design and prepare adult learning sessions for a variety of contexts L5, (12 Credits), Unit Standard: 29691: Facilitate adult learning sessions using adult teaching and learning theories and frameworks L5, (20 Credits) and Unit Standards 7110: Critically evaluate & improve own professional knowledge & practice in adult education & training L5, (8 credits).
The 29689 components will enable you to:
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Determine diverse target group learner needs, literacy and numeracy levels, learning styles and cultural learning preferences
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Develop learning outcomes for advanced learner-centred learning sessions
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Plan and develop advanced learner-centred learning sessions
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Create a number of learning resources matched to learning needs and outcomes
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Determine assessment requirements
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Prepare for review and evaluation of sessions.
The 29691 components will enable you to:
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Compare and contrast a range of teaching and learning theories and frameworks
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Prepare and apply a range of learner centred approaches and delivery materials
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Address barriers to learning and embed literacy & numeracy into subject disciplines
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Use a range of facilitation strategies to meet diverse learner needs
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Assess learner progress and give constructive feedback
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Review and evaluate the effectiveness of advanced learner-centred sessions
The 7110 components will enable you to:
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Use reflective practice to review planning, facilitation, assessment and evaluation of provision across the range of diverse learner needs
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Examine and apply a range of evaluation tools and processes
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Obtain peer and stakeholder feedback on own practice
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Develop a plan to improve practice
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Identify areas for improvement in own practice and the programme.
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Implement and monitor the plan.
The cost is $1,550 + gst Early Bird rate per person and $1,750 + gst Standard Rate per person).
Combined Module 6 & Module 7 workshop
Three-Day workshop: 11th, 12th & 13th June 2025
This three-day face to face workshop covers unit standard 11552: Design & evaluate assessment materials, (10 credits) and unit standard 11551: Moderation and quality assure assessments, (10 credits).
The 11552 components will enable you to:
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Match the level of the assessment to the standard/course component.
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Select appropriate assessment methods
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Develop valid assessment activities
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Develop marking schemes and evidence and judgment statements
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Structure assessments for easy access by students
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Include moderation considerations when designing assessments
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Obtain critical feedback on your assessment designs
The 11551 components will enable you to:
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Determine whether assessments are valid measurements of achievement of the learning outcomes
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Determine whether assessments are at the correct level
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Identify internal and external moderation models and their applications
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Moderate assessment materials
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Verify correct assessment decisions
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Record and report moderation data
The cost is $1,200 + gst Early Bird rate per person and $1,500 + gst Standard Rate per person).
Please visit our website http://www.qedassociates.co.nz for more information or to register for one of our workshops.
Enrolments are open, please email admin@qedassociates.co.nz to make your booking.
QED’s training venue
In 2026 we will enter our second year of training at our new venue in the Life Skills premises at 8 Te Pai Place, Henderson. We brokered an agreement with them to use their well-equipped boardroom this year, and it has proved very successful. With plenty of nearby parking, the venue is easy to reach just off Auckland’s Northwestern Motorway, and there are several cafés and lunch bars close by for convenient lunch options.
QED Education Services
Over the years, QED Associates has gradually expanded its range of education services it offers clients. We are duly proud of the positive outcomes we have been able to achieve for clients.
Cast your eye over the diverse services we offer:
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preparing and supporting clients with the new iQAF annual self-review
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teaching observation and reporting
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developing quality management systems
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compiling programme approvals and accreditations
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preparing training scheme and microcredential applications
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designing assessments and learning & teaching resources
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providing moderation services
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preparing for reviews (consistency, monitoring, Code of Practice)
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compiling PTE registrations and consent to assess applications
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compiling Code of Practice applications
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applying for programme changes
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preparing funding applications
Do contact us if there is a particular service or services you need assistance with, either through our website: www.qedassociates.co.nz or email one of the team;
Andy Leader: aleader@qedassociates.co.nz
Pieter Watson: pieter@qedassociates.co.nz
Dana Brown: admin@qedassociates.co.nz
Link up with QED on LinkedIn
We are building a presence via LinkedIn for
QED Associates Ltd as a company profile to boost our professional networking. Many of you already follow one or more of our personal profiles, we now ask that you follow QED as well, here is a link to our Company profile:
QED Associates Ltd
Please click the link and give us a follow;
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