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QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDIT FRAMEWORK
OVERVIEW
The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), which will ultimately replace the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), will be an operational pilot from 01/08/08.
Lantra Awards are actively involved in the process of beginning to identify and align several SSC's priorities with the needs of our centres and providers. Our aim is to ensure that only Qualifications fit for purpose will be developed and that we continue to work pro-actively with our industry partners to meet the needs of employers and employees in all areas of training provision.
What is the QCF?
The QCF is designed to be a simple and flexible system that will operate across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and will closely align with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. It will recognise achievement of learners from aged 14 - 90 and supports a national record of learner achievement enabling movement between centres and Awarding Bodies if appropriate.
Unit Based
It is a structure within which all Qualifications are unit-based and all units are identified by a title, a level and a credit value. Each unit within the framework must be capable of contributing towards at least one qualification. The aim is that all achievements can be standardised by a common currency which is credit and that the level and size of achievements should be standardised and easy to recognise. Credit can be accumulated and transferred and used flexibly to meet a variety of learner needs. One credit will represent 10 notional learning hours.
The framework hopes to offer maximum flexibility for learners to gain recognition for their achievements (whether they are single units or full Qualifications).
Features:
All units within the framework will have a title, credit value, level, and a set of explicit learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Each unit should stand alone and be capable of independent assessment. Units will be the building blocks of qualifications and all qualifications will be described through agreed rules of combination.
There will be a standardised simple architecture to describe qualifications represented by size and level, from Entry level through to level 8. Qualifications will be identified as Awards (1-12 credits), Certificates (13-36 credits) and Diplomas (37+ ).
Cathy Riley
March 2008