What is the QCF and how will it work?

What is the Qualification and Credit Framework

The QCF is a new way of recognising skills and qualifications across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The new framework awards credit for qualifications and units, providing greater flexibility and allowing learning and qualifications to be achieved in smaller steps.

Why has it been developed?

The QCF has been designed to offer more freedom and flexibility for learners by allowing them to build up credits at their own pace, and combine them in a way which will help them get where they want to be.

For learning providers (such as schools, colleges and workplaces), the QCF provides an opportunity to design flexible programmes which meet the needs of individual learners. It is anticipated this will improve retention rates and encourage progression.

For employers, the QCF will allow them to measure quickly the level and size of achievements of any potential employees. Because the qualification titles within the QCF are designed to give a very clear indication of the level, content and volume of learning, employers will be able to understand the qualifications their staff hold much better. Staff can also undergo training options and pathways which are tailored to the specific business needs.

How will it work?

Every unit and qualification in the framework will have:

• A credit value - One credit represents 10 hours, showing how much time it takes to complete.
• A Level - between Entry level and level 8, showing how difficult it is

The credit value will then determine the size of the qualification. There are three sizes of qualifications in the QCF:

• Awards (1 to 12 credits)
• Certificates (13 to 36 credits)
• Diplomas (37 credits or more)

Making qualifications easier to understand

At present, it can be difficult to understand all the different types of qualification that learners hold - what level they are, how long they take to complete, what content they cover, and how they compare to other qualifications. With the QCF, each qualification will have a unique title which will clearly show:

• How difficult it is- indicated by the level of the qualification (from Entry level at the bottom to level 8 at the top)
• How long it might take to complete- indicated by the size of qualification/ volume of learning involved (Award/Certificate/Diploma)
• Details indicating the content of the qualification.

Credit transfer and recording achievement

Credit will be transferable between Awarding Organisations, which offers greater flexibility and means the learner does not have to ‘repeat’ any of their previous training.

To keep track, Learners will be given access to a centralised online Learner Record (LR). This will log all of their QCF unit and qualification achievement from mid 2010. They will also be assigned with a unique learner number (ULN), which helps to enable transfer of credit across awarding bodies.

The way that credits and units make up a full qualification is determined by the rules of combination which are decided by Awarding Organisations working in close partnership with Sector Skills Councils and other related organisations.