Transcript The New Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

BIIAB QCF WORKSHOP
The New Qualifications and Credit
Framework (QCF)
Sam Livesey
[email protected]
01276 417855
What will be covered
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What is the QCF?
The aims and vision of the QCF
The structure
The terminology
Recognising previous achievement
BIIAB qualifications on the QCF
What is the QCF?
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QCF is the Qualifications and Credit Framework
A new framework which recognises units of learning
Units are used to build qualifications
It is to replace the NQF (National Qualifications
Framework)
• We are currently in a transitional period which ends
31/12/2010
The Aims and Vision of the QCF
• Make the qualifications landscape easier to
understand
• Provide learners with a greater freedom of choice
• The QCF aims to ensure that qualifications and units
of learning are:
 transferrable
 flexible
 progressive
The Aims and Vision of the QCF
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Simple framework
More transparent naming system
Greater consistency between qualifications
More flexible routes to gaining a qualification
Learners can study at their own pace
Less bureaucratic
More inclusive
Responsive to employer requirements
QCF: The Structure
Difficulty / challenge
Up to Level 8
Foundation
Learning
1 Credit =
Level 3
10 Learning
Hours i.e.
Level 2
Guided
Learning Hours
(GLH) plus any
other learning
time required
to achieve
learning
outcomes
Level 1
Entry 1-3
Award
1-12 credits
Certificate
13-36 credits
Size
Diploma
37+ credits
Qualification Levels
• The level of units/qualifications suitable for learners
align with job roles:
– Level 1 – basic knowledge and how to use it – eg Level 1
Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) – entry level
– Level 2 – deeper understanding of range of knowledge and
selecting correct knowledge to use – eg Level 2 Award for
Personal Licence Holders (will replace NCPLH) – staff with
more experience
– Level 3 – Identify and use relevant understanding i.e.
application – Level 3 Award in Licensed Hospitality (will
replace the ACLH) – managers
QCF: The Structure
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The building blocks of the QCF are units –
there is no standard size – they carry
different credit values (determined by
learning time)
To achieve units learners must cover all
assessment criteria
Unit A
4 credits
Unit B
12 credits
Unit C
6 credits
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Unit D
Learners accumulate credit from
achievement of units
9 credits
Unit E
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Credit is stored on an electronic Personal
Learner Record (PLR)
10 credits
QCF: The Structure
• Qualifications are made up
of units using “Rules of
Combination” (RoC) which
identify acceptable
combinations of units
• Qualifications can include
units above and below the
level of the qualification e.g.
L3 and L2 units in a L1
qualification
BIIAB qualification
Unit A
Unit B
Unit D
Unit C
Unit E
QCF: The Structure
BIIAB qualification
• Includes “multi-use” of
“shared” units across
qualifications and across
awarding organisations
• Key QCF principle: Learners
will not have to repeat
learning they have already
completed
Unit A
Unit B
Unit D
Unit C
Unit E
Another qualification
Unit F
Unit B
Unit D
Unit G
QCF: The Structure
• The most common structure for QCF Qualifications = RoC and
units developed by Sector Skills Council(s)
• All awarding organisations offer the same qualification
BIIAB
Unit A
EDI
Unit B
Unit D
Unit C
Unit A
Unit E
Unit B
Unit D
NOCN
Unit A
Unit B
Unit D
Unit C
Unit E
Unit C
Unit E
QCF: Only One Type of Qualification
NQF World
QCF World
NVQs
One type of
vocational
qualification only
VRQs
QCF Units can be based on:
 Knowledge only
 Competence/skills only
 A mixture of competence/skills and knowledge e.g
knowledge that underpins the competence/skill
QCF: Unit Terminology / Principles
Unit Structure
• Each unit will have
 a level e.g. Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 etc
 a credit value
 an aim
 learning outcomes
 assessment criteria
 GLH - for funding purposes only
Recognising previous achievement
• Avoiding duplication of learning is a key principle
of QCF
• Credit Transfer is the main QCF mechanism to
ensure the above i.e. electronic recognition via the
Personal Learner Record that the learner has
already achieved unit credit towards a qualification
• Funding agencies will not fund same learning
twice
Migration from the NQF to the QCF
• The migration of BIIAB qualifications from the NQF to
the QCF is complete
• Names for most qualifications will changed e.g.
 NCPLH will be the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence
Holders (GLH 10, credits 1)
 ILRO will be the Level 2 Award in Introductory Licensed
Retail Operations (GLH 30, credits 3)
 DLH will be the Level 3 Certificate in Licensed Hospitality
(GLH 70, credits 14)
Availability of QCF qualifications
• BIIAB already awarding some QCF qualifications
(AAA, new SIA licence to practise qualifications)
• All other qualifications will be available from 1st
January 2010 with the exception of the APLH (1/4/11)
• NQF versions of qualifications will no longer be
available from BIIAB after 31/12/2010 with exception
of NCPLH
 Learning outcomes and assessment criteria remain the
same as does the assessment
Useful websites
• The Office of Qualifications and Examinations
Regulation (Ofqual) www.ofqual.gov.uk
• The Register of Regulated Qualifications
http://register.ofqual.gov.uk (this has replace the
National Database of Accredited Qualifications –
NDAQ)
Quality Assurance and the New
Qualifications and Credit Framework
(QCF)
Denise Thomson
Centre Approval – QCF Readiness
• BIIAB will need to formally recognise centres as QCF
ready
• We will make the process as easy as we possibly can
Centre Approval – QCF Readiness
• Named point of accountability for Quality Assurance
and management
• Ability to hold and transmit assessment outcomes
securely
• Agree to provide access to BIIAB and its regulators
• Have systems in place for tracking learner progress
• Have arrangements in place that recognise existing
experience and knowledge of learners
Centre Approval – QCF Readiness
• Sufficient staff, resources and systems to support
assessment of units, the qualification(s) accumulation
and transfer of credits and recording of exemptions
• Arrangement in place to obtain a unique learner
number (ULN) and access learner record on behalf of
your learners
• Maximise opportunities for credit transfer and
exemption for your learners based on previous
achievements in their learner record
Susan Burton
Head of Examination Processes
01276 417829
[email protected]
Unique Learner Number
• Unique Learner Number
• Personal Learner Record
• Centres’ Responsibilities
• Awarding Organisations Responsibilities
• Benefits for the Learner
What is a Unique Learner Number?
• 10 digit number
• Unique to the learner
• Given for life and not recycled
• Used in England, Northern Ireland and Wales
• Will help to streamline registration and enrolment processes
• Mandatory for Diploma, Functional Skills or the Apprenticeship
• Allows access to the learner’s Personal Learner Record
What is the Personal Learner Record?
• Created for the benefit of the leaner
• Online folder which includes learning achievements from the
age of 16
• Qualifications, Awards, Units and Credits towards lifelong
learning
• ULN is the key to the PLR
• Need the ULN when logging onto the PLR
Centre’s Responsibilities
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Any assessment leading to Qualifications and units the centre
should have in place arrangements to obtain ULNs on behalf of the
learner
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Learner Record Service (LRS) is where centres can register the
learner for the ULN
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Learner Registration Bodies (LRB)
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To access the LRS, will be asked to sign up and as part of the
process provide a UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN) which
is allocated through the UK Register of Leaning Providers (UKRLP)
Centre’s Responsibilities
Learners without ULNs
• Successfully centres (LRB) will open a Learner Account with the
LRS
• Input information and must include the learner’s own personal email address
• Verify the identification of the Learner
• Explain the Privacy Notice about sharing information
Centre’s Responsibilities
Learners with ULNs
• Facility to find ULNs for learners who are already on the LRS
• Verify the ULN
• Update certain information such as addresses, date of births
and names
Awarding Organisation's Responsibilities
• On submission of the ULN on the Candidate Answer
Sheet
• Validate and verify each ULN
• Upload learner unit and qualification achievement
Benefits for the Learner
• Learner is in control
• History of achievements
• Learners will be able to view their Personal Learning Record
and agree who else can see their record
• Ability for centres/advisors to run routes to achievement (RtA) to
support the learner
Thank you for listening, any
questions?