Welcome and introductions

What is the QCF?

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.

Moving from the NVQ to the QCF

National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

Vocational qualifications (VRQs and NVQs) accredited by QCA onto the NQF.

PAST‘Mixed Economy’

QCF introduced with a transitional period for new registrations until the end of 2010 whilst qualifications are developed and accredited on the QCF.

PRESENTQualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

Accredited vocational qualifications now on the QCF. NQF closed for new registrations. *Expected

JAN 2011*

More flexibility under the QCF

ProviderAwarding

organisation (AO)x credit

unitz 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

y credit unit

Credit transfer and progression

Providers AOs

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 in 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 time learning time• one credit = 10 hours of notional learning• Many units will still include guided learning hours (GLH)• no requirement to evidence notional hours still GLH.

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 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 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector

• City & Guilds Entry 3 Certificate in Personal Progression through Employment

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 returns 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

Impacts – things you need to consider

Senior ManagementDo your have a clear strategy and action plans in place to deal with the changes?

Marketing and SalesWhat impact will timelines, new titles and terminology have on your prospectuses for 2010/2011?

Staff Development / CPDDo you need a CPD programme to support staff through the changes?

Delivery StaffKeeping on top of qualification redevelopment plans and the impact this might have on delivery and assessment?

Curriculum plannersWhen will your provision be redeveloped? Are you preparing for more flexible delivery?

MIS / Exams OfficeAre you registered with MIAP as a Learner Registration Body, collecting ULNs for learners?

Employer engagementAre you reviewing your offering to employers and including in communications?

IAG/Careers supportAre staff ready to knowledgably advise learners on new QCF qualifications?

Five tops tips for successful implementation

Here are just a few things you might want to set in motion if you haven’t already:

Develop an organisation-wide QCF strategy, identify the staff you will require to assess the full impacts and develop the required action plans to maximise the opportunities it presents.

1

Make all staff aware of the changes and deliver the training needed to bring them up to speed.2Monitor and communicate SSC/SSB plans and those of funding agencies and awarding organisations to relevant staff. 3

Seriously consider how the tight time frames will impact on your course offer and how you will then sell and market this offer, especially with so much uncertainty on specific QCF qualification details like titles.

4

Speak to City & Guilds…we are here to help!5

How will I know when qualifications in my area will be on the QCF?

We expect many of our qualifications to be developed and accredited on the QCF to be ready for delivery from Autumn 2010.

• Our regular monthly e-mailings will advise of developments in each individual industry/subject area

• You can register for these tailored and free updates at www.cityandguilds.com/updates

• Redevelopment timetables will be updated regularly

• Speak to your regional office contact

Timelines for full implementation

NQF QCF

We are investing heavily in improving and simplifying our processes, online catalogue, quality assurance model and pricing to improve the QCF experience for our centres.

2008 2009 2010 2012

2006- 2008:Tests and trials

Spring 2009:City & Guilds first to get QCF recognition from the regulator Ofqual

Aug 2010:Many qualifications now on the QCF and funded over NQF versions

Nov 2008:Ministerial sign-off for implementation

Sep 2009:Learner records

Jan 2011:NQF set to close for new registrations on NQF

2011

All the information and support you need in one place

Please complete our short QCF survey before you leave. Your feedback is really important to us and it will form a key part of our work in supporting you moving forward.

We are here to help - so if there is anything else you need after the seminar, please let us know.

Web www.cityandguilds.com/qcf

Email qcf@cityandguilds.com

Thank you and goodbye