View Item

What are the timescales for QCF going live? When will the changes happen?
The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) was approved by Further Education Minister Sion Simon on 14th November 2008. Those qualifications that have been reformed became available for delivery from autumn 2008 and the expectation is that all vocational qualifications will be reformed by 2010. Some reformed vocational qualifications can already be found on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications (www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk ), which contains all accredited qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. To find reformed qualifications users should use the search function on the database, typing in 'QCF'. The qualification regulator Ofqual, who defines the criteria for the Qualifications and Credit Framework and the regulatory arrangements for the organisations that design, develop and submit qualifications, published the new regulatory criteria in August 2008.
Date published:		Related category(ies):
Number of downloads:	233	Resource type(s):	Development of the QCF; Education and skills
Recommend this resource to a friend »		Rating:

Feedback for What are the timescales for QCF going live? When will the changes happen?
Email: Comments:
Approval:	Because we value your thoughtful opinions, we encourage you to add feedback for this resource. Please do not be offended if we edit your comments for clarity or to keep out questionable matters. By clicking on the following check box you will give your authorization to allow us to use the feedback on our website: Please note, your email will not be included on any comments displayed on the website.

People who have downloaded this resource have also downloaded the following...

Have any providers or employers been recognised as awarding organisations?
In April 2008, QCA announced that the first provider to be recognised as an awarding organisation was City College Norwich. in addition to this provider, two trade associations (The Recruitment and Employment Confederation and The Professional Lighting and Sound Association) and an employer (Ministry of Defence) also achieved awarding organisation status in April. This increased number from the QCA"s Employer and Provider Recognition Scheme from teh three previously recognised emloyers Flybe, McDonalds and Network Rail to seven (includes six employers and one provider). For more information http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_14937.aspx In the regulatory arrangements for the QCF organisations can be recognised to develop and submit units and/or develop rules of combination for qualifications as well as, or instead of, being recognised as awarding organisations.

What is demand-led funding?
Previous approaches to delivering skills have been too ‘supply driven’, based on the Government planning supply to meet ineffectively articulated employer demand. The reforms in England have attempted to develop a more ‘demand-led’ system, responding to demand rather than trying to plan supply. Providers will now receive funding as they attract customers, rather than receiving a block grant based upon supply-side estimates of expected demand. The Sector Skills Councils through their Sector Qualification Strategies have identified the qualifications they, as the employer representatives, feel should be prioritised for funding. http://www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/funding-policy/strategic-overview/

What happens if a learner moves area before the qualification is achieved?
This is the flexibility that the QCF offers through credit accumulation and transfer. Learners can ‘bank’ credits and transfer them between qualifications and providers to avoid having to repeat learning. The learner"s record (as used in the test and trials) will capture achievements at a single source and enable the transfer of achievements.

How will the new framework be regulated by QCA?
Ofqual (http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/)is the new regulator of qualifications, exams and tests in England and is operationally independent of the QCA. Ofqual will set out clear requirements of what is expected of the awarding organisations and organisations that provide qualifications and assessments. Working in partnership with the awarding organisations, it will encourage innovation while making sure that standards are maintained. Scrutinising individual qualifications, as QCA have done in the past when the NQF was set up, can sometimes lead to accusations of bureaucracy and not responding quickly enough to employers’ needs. The new regulatory arrangements are therefore likely to focus activity within the QCF, as far as possible, at system and organisational level rather than at individual qualification level. This regulatory model requires organisations operating within the QCF to develop and be responsible for quality assurance processes to support the regulatory requirements. The Regulatory arrangements for the QCF published in August 2008 can be found in the 'Key Documents' page on this website

What are the marketing, communications and recruitment issues for providers?
The current titling of vocational qualifications will change as the QCF is phased in, for example a diploma can’t be used as shorthand for the demand of a qualification as it now indicates the size of a qualification. They specify that the term ‘NVQ’ may be used as a bracketed addition to a qualification title for certain occupational qualifications provided they meet the requirements set out in the regulatory document 'Operating rules for using the term NVQ in a QCF Qualification title' With the labelling, titling and component parts of qualifications potentially changing this will undoubtedly have an impact on how providers market, communicate and recruit. It is important for providers to explore the impact of the reforms on these areas for their learners and employers.