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What is the QCF?
Recognises achievement, through the award of credit for units and qualifications.
The implementation of the QCF is already well underway in some sectors.
Greater commonality through shared units and a standard unit template.
New standardised titles will make it easier to understand and compare.
It provides more flexible routes to full qualifications, achievable in smaller steps.
A new centralised database, due in late 2010, will help to track credit and provide learners with an online record of their achievements.
Qualification purposes will replace ‘types’ for categorising qualifications.
Still some uncertainty on funding and development timelines in some sectors.
More flexibility under the QCF
ProviderAwarding
organisation (AO)w credit
unit x credit
unit
y credit unit
Credit accumulation - Greater choice and flexibility can support the provider in delivering more tailored courses to meet needs of wider group of learners and employers.
Qualification
w+x+y+z credits
z credit unit
Credit transfer and progression
ProvidersAwarding
organisations
Level 3 credit
Level 3 credit
Level 3 Qualification
Credit transfer - Progression supported by credit being used across levels, sizes (Award, Certificate and Diploma) and sometimes sector areas. Reduces repetition of learning.
Level 3 credit
Level 2 credit
Level 3 credit
Level 2 credit
Level 2 credit
The building blocks
• Some units will appear in more than one qualification
• Credit can be transferred between qualifications
• Rules of combination outline what credit and which units can be used.
• Many units shared across awarding organisations (AO)
• Learners can gain credit towards a qualification from more than one AO
• Many shared units developed in collaboration.
• The credit value is a measure of average learning time• one credit = 10 hours of notional learning• Many units will still include guided learning hours (GLH)• requirement to evidence GLH for funding purposes only.
Units and credit in the QCF
Standard unit template
• Title
• Learning outcomes
• Assessment criteria
• Level
• Credit value
• GLH (if applicable)
What makes up a qualification?
1Rules of combination set out the combination of credit that must be achieved
3States credit required from mandatory and optional units
2Designed by AOs with *SSCs/SSBs and only go on QCF when approved by the relevant SSC/SSB
6Opportunities for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
4Credit can come from more than one level
5Exemptions and equivalents can also be identified
* Sector Skills Council (SSC) / Standard Setting Bodies (SSB)
QCF qualifications
1 credit = 10 hours of learning. The learning time is notional and is taken as the estimated number of hours it takes the average learner to complete all the learning outcomes of that unit.
Used to describe subject area
New titles and terminology
AwardCertificate Diploma
Entry to level 8
Additional terminology used to describe its use eg prove occupational competence or CPD
3.Content2.Size Purpose?1.Difficulty
We already have over 500 qualifications on the QCF with titles including:
• City & Guilds Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Hairdressing
• City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Retail Skills
• City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Retail Skills
• City & Guilds Level 3/4 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector
• City & Guilds Entry 3 Certificate in Personal Progression through Employment
Key differences
NQF QCF
All qualification content defined in terms of units Many All
Same units used by different awarding organisations Only NVQs Yes (unless restricted)
Qualifications and units have credit (based on notional learning time)
No Yes
All units and content defined in the same template Only NVQs Yes
Unit assigned a level Not always Yes
Credit accumulation No Yes
The credit awarded (or equivalent) is accepted by another Awarding Organisation
Only NVQs Yes
Qualification types/categories Yes Now purpose
Qualification purposes No Yes
Qualification title indicates size No Yes
Meeting the needs of the industry - the role of the SSCs/SSBs
There are 25 SSCs that are led by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).
The SSC’s roles includes:• Identifying skills needs• Proposing/developing standards, units and qualifications• Approving all qualifications in their sector alongside Ofqual• Prioritising qualifications for public funding.
The Sector Qualification Strategy (SQS) sets the direction and the Action Plan sets out what they would like to be publicly funded.
Find your SSC at www.sscalliance.org/SSCs/LinksoSSCs.aspx
Learner records and Unique Learner Numbers
1Each new QCF learner is set to have a centralised online learner record by the end of 2010.
2ULNs are the identifier required to facilitate learner and funding records moving forward.
3Many funding streams already have ULNs as a learner requirement.
4We have already successfully collected and authenticated nearly 200,000 ULNs from centres.
A major element of the centralised IT system for the QCF is the introduction of online learner records. This system will also manage the accumulation and transfer of credit (CAT) across awarding organisations and providers.
For more information and guidance check out www.cityandguilds.com/uln
What it really means for you
Now• Mixed economy of delivery under new and old regulations
• Lots of redeveloped qualifications delivered in short period
• New titles and terminology
• Increased funding volatility
• Very short turnaround times
• Need to develop employer and learner understanding
In the long run• Further funding volatility and uncertainty over funding by
credit/units
• More demand-led system
• Managing flexible delivery to meet more individual needs
• Individual unit take-up