Bringing clarity to the QCF

1. QCF implementation seminars Bringing clarity to the QCF

2. What is the QCF?

3. What is the QCF? Recognises achievement, through the award of credit for units and qualifications. It provides more flexible routes to full qualifications, achievable in smaller steps. New standardised titles will make it easier to understand and compare. Greater commonality through shared units and a standard unit template. A new centralised database, due in late 2010, will help to track credit and provide learners with an online record of their achievements. The implementation of the QCF is already well underway in some sectors. Qualification purposes will replace ‘types’ for categorising qualifications. Still some uncertainty on funding and development timelines in some sectors.

4. Qualification w+x+y+z credits More flexibility under the QCF Awarding organisation (AO) Provider w credit unit x credit unit y credit unit z 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.

5. Level 3 Qualification Credit transfer and progression Awarding organisations Providers Level 2 credit Level 2 credit Level 2 credit Level 3 credit Level 3 credit Level 3 credit Level 3 credit Credit transfer - Progression supported by credit being used across levels, sizes (Award, Certificate and Diploma) and sometimes sector areas. Reduces repetition of learning.

6. Credit and qualifications

7. The building blocks • Standard unit template • Title • Learning outcomes • Assessment criteria • Level • Credit value • GLH (if applicable) Units and credit in the QCF • 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. • 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. • 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.

8. What makes up a qualification? 2 3 1 Designed by AOs with *SSCs/SSBs and only go on QCF when approved by the relevant SSC/SSB States credit required from mandatory and optional units Rules of combination set out the combination of credit that must be achieved 6 5 4 Opportunities for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Credit can come from more than one level Exemptions and equivalents can also be identified * Sector Skills Council (SSC) / Standard Setting Bodies (SSB)

9. 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.

10. New titles and terminology 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 1.Difficulty 2.Size 3.Content Purpose? Entry to level 8 Award Certificate Diploma Used to describe subject area Additional terminology used to describe its use eg prove occupational competence or CPD

11. Key differences

12. 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

13. Learner records and Unique Learner Numbers 1 2 3 4 Each new QCF learner is set to have a centralised online learner record by the end of 2010. ULNs are the identifier required to facilitate learner and funding records moving forward. Many funding streams already have ULNs as a learner requirement. We 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

14. What does it really mean for you?

15. 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

16. Your questions answered