The Qualifications and Credit Framework: Introduction and update

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The Qualifications and Credit Framework
Introduction and update
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Introduction and Purpose

• Elizabeth Vidis Development Manager QCF tests
  and trials
• Purpose of today
• Give an introduction to the QCF
• Update on progress to date and preparation for
  implementation.

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Context for reform World class skills
In the Leitch implementation plan the Government
has committed itself to the ambition of becoming
a world leader in skills by 2020.
Equipping young people with the skills they need
for life and work
Creating a more flexible, innovative and
inclusive qualifications system
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Delivering vocational qualifications reform

• UK Vocational Qualifications Reform Programme
• Strand 1 Sector Qualifications Reform
• Strand 2 Framework development
• Strand 3 Planning, Funding Delivery
• Strand 4 Rationalisation
• Strand 5 Communications
• Aim
• change the way vocational qualifications are
  developed so they better meet the needs of
  employers and learners

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Strand 2 QCF

• Framework development QCA, CCEA, DCELLS, SQA
  (observer)
• Aim of the strand is to is to develop a jointly
  regulated credit and qualifications framework for
  England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• It is part of an overall programme of work to
  reform vocational qualifications in the UK.

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What is the QCF?
A simple and rational organising
structure. Supports a new way of recognising
achievement through the award of credit for units
and qualifications. Allows credit to be
accumulated and transferred between
qualifications and awarding bodies Provides
flexible routes to gaining full
qualifications. Enables qualifications to be
achieved gradually.
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Size and level

• Every unit and qualification in the framework
  will have a credit value and a level
• Three sizes of qualifications
• Awards (1 12 credits)
• Certificates (13 36 credits)
• Diplomas (37 credits or more)
• Nine levels
• The level of a unit of qualification shows you
  how difficult it is.
• There 9 levels entry to level 8.
• To help understand the levels useful to know
  GCSEs (A-C) are level 2, A levels are level 3
  and a PhD degree is level 8.

1 credit 10 hours of learning time (the amount
of time and effort it takes to complete)
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How it works step by step
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The learner achievement Record

• When a learner completes a unit they are awarded
  the relevant credit(s) and this is recorded on
  their learner achievement record (LAR)
• The LAR is an electronic record that lists an
  individuals credit and qualification
  achievements
• Learners can access their LAR online to
• track their progress towards achieving a
  qualification
• explore potential routes to achievement (find
  qualifications for which they have already
  achieved some credit)
• give permission to others (including employers
  and providers) to view the information contained
  within it.

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QCF units The building blocks of the framework
Example from OCR Level 3 Award in Business
Enterprise (QCF)
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Rules of combination

• Rules of combination specify the credits that
  need to be achieved, through particular units,
  for a qualification to be awarded.
• They are not the only component of a
  qualification.
• They are the mechanism through which sets of
  achievements are grouped together into a
  qualification.
• The other purpose of RoC is the structure through
  which credits are transferable between
  qualifications and awarding bodies.

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How it is being developed?

• Through a comprehensive test and trial programme
  running from September 2006 Summer 2008.
• Over fifty projects across different sectors,
  contexts, countries and levels
• Projects are testing mechanisms of framework and
  providing evidence to confirm whether it can
  deliver potential benefits.
• The evidence feeds into the independent
  evaluation.
• Evidence from other work with HE, employers,
  secondary research (Oxford University)
• Two key reporting periods
• Summer 2007 Interim report to ministers
• Summer 2008 Final report to ministers

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The QCF The interim report

• Regulators submitted QCF interim report to
  ministers in July.
• The report pulls together the experiences and
  lessons learned based on evidence from the
  independent evaluation and other programmes of
  work.
• It contains a set of recommendations for the
  second year of tests and trials for Ministers to
  consider.

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The interim report Headlines

• The report concludes that
• year one of trials has produced enough evidence
  to refine and confirm the specifications for the
  QCF
• more evidence needed around impacts/benefits for
  learners/learning
• there needs to be a cost/benefit analysis.

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Ministerial response

• Received responses from ministers
• welcoming the interim report and progress made
• endorsing second year of tests and trials
• expectation of cost/benefit analysis (Jan 08)
  and final report (June 08).

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Test and trials continue

• The fifty projects established during 2006/7
  continue
• Outcomes feed into the independent evaluation run
  by PwC which contributes to the regulators
  final report
• Focus for this year is on the impact and benefits
  for learners and providers
• Some large scales projects will help with this.
  We have two projects involving over 20,000
  learners
• Key issues benefits of credit and
  transferability, a more transparent system, the
  ULN and LAR
• Final report with recommendations for next steps
  June 2008

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Key activities Year 2

• Agree last date for acceptance of qualifications
  within NQF and reconfirm existing deadline of 31
  Dec 2010 for expiry of all VQs in NQF.
• Consult on draft QCF regulatory criteria
  including qualification types.
• Develop a visual identity and language set for
  the QCF.
• Implement mechanism to fast track provision
  being developed through the sector qualifications
  reform programme and the foundation learning tier
  into the QCF.
• Employer/provider recognition project.

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More information

• For more information on the QCF visit the QCA web
  pages www.qca.org.uk/framework
• If you are interested in receiving the QCF
  monthly e-update please email your details to
  stoakesa_at_qca.org.ukYou can order copies of a
  QCF test and trial pack (produced by the
  regulators) 08700 60 60 15 please call quoting
  QCA/06/2882.