QCFS from Qualitrain

Introduction

The new Qualifications and Credit Framework will have a far reaching effect on adult and work-based learning and accreditation, and we will keep all our clients informed of the changes. For the moment, however, much of the course content remains little changed.

What are QCFs?
QCF is the title of a new framework for recognising and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will replace the existing NVQ programme, and aims to simplify the qualifications system by making it easier to understand and use and introduce additional flexibility as a benefit to both learners and employers. 
As the situation develops we will add all the most up to date information to this site, but for the moment our NVQ pages will still provide an accurate synopsis of courses available and their requirements. In the meantime, a brief description of QCF can be found below.
QCF
QCF qualification titles will be standardised across all awarding organisations, and each one will show the size of the achievement as well as the level of challenge involved.
Qualifications and units of study within the QCF will be demand-led. To ensure it is fully relevant to the industry it serves, each qualification must be approved by employers, Sector Skills Councils and industry bodies within the sector it relates to before it can be included in the framework.
The QCF is designed to give employers and learners a high level of Quality Assurance coupled with a greater freedom of choice. By introducing the QCF, government aims to ensure that qualifications and units of learning are:
 transferable: because where the credits learners have gained for particular units of learning are relevant to other qualifications, they can be used again 
 flexible: because the framework recognises stages of achievement. There are no time limits, so learners can store credits and achieve full qualifications at their own pace – fitting them in with their work commitments and personal circumstances 
 progressive: because it makes it easier for individuals to progress towards gaining higher level qualifications/units by taking smaller, more convenient steps
 
Once in place, the QCF will help employers to:
 accurately and quickly identify the level and size of achievements for both existing and prospective employees 
 get in-house training recognised within a formal national framework – whether this is a single unit of training or a whole qualification tailored to business and/or industry need 
 describe levels of achievement in terms that everyone can understand 
 make training options and pathways clear 
 find the right training for their business needs 
 help employees develop and maximise their strengths – to the benefit of the business as well as to the personal benefit of employees. 
The QCF is designed to help learners to:
 gain more career freedom, choice and flexibility 
 understand the length of time they will be required to invest to achieve different levels and sizes of qualifications – allowing them to plan more effectively and balance their learning with work commitments and personal responsibilities 
 build up credits at their own pace and combine them in a way that reflects their career ambitions and their level of skills, knowledge and industry experience 
 transfer credits between qualifications so they don’t have to repeat learning that they have already done 
 record all their achievements on a personal electronic learner record 
 appreciate the value of their achievements at a glance 
 explore new options, either by progressing to a higher skill level or changing career direction and putting that learning to a new use.
The QCF Framework
There are nine levels available in the QCF framework, from Entry Level to Level 8, indicating the level of difficulty of the credits gained. For example, Level 2 is similar to achieving a GCSE at grades A* to C, Level 3 can be compared to an A level, and Level 8 is equivalent to a PhD.
Qualifications in the QCF have three sizes:
Awards – requiring 1 to 12 credits (representing 10 to 120 hours of learning time)
Certificates – requiring 13 to 36 credits (representing 130 to 360 hours of learning time)
Diplomas – requiring 37 or more credits (representing at least 370 hours of learning time)
All QCF qualifications will be referred to by one of these titles, although (pending review by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator) the term NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) may still be used within the title of some qualifications; providing the qualification is based entirely on National Occupational Standards, shows competence in an occupational role, and meets the assessment requirements set out by the relevant Sector Skills Council or Standard Setting Body.
By keeping the qualification titles consistent, employers can see exactly how difficult it was for an individual to achieve a particular qualification and the sort of time it took them to complete – simply by looking at the title. For example, someone who has gained an EAL Level 2 (NVQ) Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques has collected at least 37 credits (representing a minimum of 370 hours).

What are QCFs?
 
QCF is the title of a new framework for recognising and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will replace the existing NVQ programme, and aims to simplify the qualifications system by making it easier to understand and use and introduce additional flexibility as a benefit to both learners and employers. As the situation develops we will add all the most up to date information to this site, but for the moment our NVQ pages will still provide an accurate synopsis of courses available and their requirements. In the meantime, a brief description of QCF can be found below.
 
QCF
 
QCF qualification titles will be standardised across all awarding organisations, and each one will show the size of the achievement as well as the level of challenge involved. Qualifications and units of study within the QCF will be demand-led. To ensure it is fully relevant to the industry it serves, each qualification must be approved by employers, Sector Skills Councils and industry bodies within the sector it relates to before it can be included in the framework.

The QCF is designed to give employers and learners a high level of Quality Assurance coupled with a greater freedom of choice. By introducing the QCF, government aims to ensure that qualifications and units of learning are:
 
 transferable: because where the credits learners have gained for particular units of learning are relevant to other qualifications, they can be used again 
 flexible: because the framework recognises stages of achievement. There are no time limits, so learners can store credits and achieve full qualifications at their own pace – fitting them in with their work commitments and personal circumstances 
 progressive: because it makes it easier for individuals to progress towards gaining higher level qualifications/units by taking smaller, more convenient steps
 
Once in place, the QCF will help employers to:
 
 accurately and quickly identify the level and size of achievements for both existing and prospective employees 
 get in-house training recognised within a formal national framework – whether this is a single unit of training or a whole qualification tailored to business and/or industry need 
 describe levels of achievement in terms that everyone can understand 
 make training options and pathways clear 
 find the right training for their business needs 
 help employees develop and maximise their strengths – to the benefit of the business as well as to the personal benefit of employees. 
The QCF is designed to help learners to:
 gain more career freedom, choice and flexibility 
 understand the length of time they will be required to invest to achieve different levels and sizes of qualifications – allowing them to plan more effectively and balance their learning with work commitments and personal responsibilities 
 build up credits at their own pace and combine them in a way that reflects their career ambitions and their level of skills, knowledge and industry experience 
 transfer credits between qualifications so they don’t have to repeat learning that they have already done 
 record all their achievements on a personal electronic learner record 
 appreciate the value of their achievements at a glance 
 explore new options, either by progressing to a higher skill level or changing career direction and putting that learning to a new use.
 
The QCF Framework
 
There are nine levels available in the QCF framework, from Entry Level to Level 8, indicating the level of difficulty of the credits gained. For example, Level 2 is similar to achieving a GCSE at grades A* to C, Level 3 can be compared to an A level, and Level 8 is equivalent to a PhD.
 
Qualifications in the QCF have three sizes:
 
Awards – requiring 1 to 12 credits (representing 10 to 120 hours of learning time)
Certificates – requiring 13 to 36 credits (representing 130 to 360 hours of learning time)
Diplomas – requiring 37 or more credits (representing at least 370 hours of learning time)
 
All QCF qualifications will be referred to by one of these titles, although (pending review by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator) the term NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) may still be used within the title of some qualifications; providing the qualification is based entirely on National Occupational Standards, shows competence in an occupational role, and meets the assessment requirements set out by the relevant Sector Skills Council or Standard Setting Body.

By keeping the qualification titles consistent, employers can see exactly how difficult it was for an individual to achieve a particular qualification and the sort of time it took them to complete – simply by looking at the title. For example, someone who has gained a Level 2 (NVQ) Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques has collected at least 37 credits (representing a minimum of 370 hours).