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What are the benefits to learners of the reforms to vocational qualifications?
In the new system, the qualifications learners achieve will ultimately be better understood by employers, the public and other organisations because of the standard titling and size rules. Learners will be able to complete qualifications at their own pace, achieving credit for the successful completion of each unit. The qualifications will better reflect the different levels of learners’ performance because achievement at different levels can be recognised within the qualifications. The transparency of the QCF, rules of combination and the learner's record of achievement will enable learners to see how they can build on their achievement to progress. For example, they can see the range of optional units available and where they might lead or, if they have achieved some units at a higher level, they can see how these units might be carried forward into/transfer to another qualifications. Equally if they wish to change direction, they can see how any units they have achieved can transfer to another qualification.
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Will qualifications in the QCF be graded?
Qualifications in the QCF may be graded. All grading scales must include a ‘pass’ grade based exclusively on the assessment criteria in the unit or units on which the component or qualification is based and for which credit must be awarded.

Will there be limits on currency of past credits/units being brought forward for new qualifications?
Awarding organisations and appropriate Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) will determine the currency of a past qualification and any exemption that can be offered for the new QCF qualification. The Federation of Awarding Bodies has a Code of Practice for reviewing vocational qualifications for currency and relevance. For more information http://www.awarding.org.uk/public/currentwork/vqrp

Who will be able to view a learner's record or achievement?
It is currently proposed that awarding organisations input data about learners' achievements of units and vocational qualifications (VQs) into a central learner record that will be accessible by learning providers. Learners will be able to selectively share their achievement data with third parties (such as prospective employers), if they choose to do so. It is intended that this system links with the planned Skills Accounts for learners.

Will the QCF identify the Standard Learner Number (SLN) rate for a unit/qualification?
All qualifications funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) will be assigned a Standard Learner Number (SLN) as a part of the introduction of the new demand-led funding system. There will be three funding models adopted by the LSC based on the characteristics of the learner cohort. They are the 16-18, Adult Learner-Responsive and Employer-Responsive Models. The LSC will adopt the same approach for assigning SLN values across all provision funded by the LSC, depending on the learner cohort. The SLN value will be calculated on the basis of guided-learning hours for provision funded through the 16-18 and Adult Learner-Responsive Models. For the Employer-Responsive Model the SLN value will be based on activity analysis. The SLN value is generated to allow the calculation of each provider’s allocation as part of the new ‘demand-led funding formula’ (Standard Learner Numbers x Provider Factor x National Rate) + Additional Learning Support. More information and detail can be found on the LSC’s website: http://www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/funding-policy/strategic-overview/.

What will happen to existing qualifications? How will we know what is happening and when?
The awarding organisations are reviewing their provision in conjunction with the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and other sector bodies to meet the Sector Qualification Strategies and QCF requirements. SSC Sector Qualification Strategies may result in newly developed qualifications, or may just result in the redevelopment of existing qualifications for the QCF. Awarding organisations may use the opportunity to review their current provision and develop new qualifications or may just redevelop existing qualifications. Keeping up-to-date with awarding organisation and SSC plans will be very important. A joint LSC and QCA Progression Pathway Qualifications Catalogue has been published as an interim measure to support the implementation phase of the Foundation Learning Tier programme. The catalogue displays accredited QCF qualifications that are eligible and approved for use within each specification for Foundation Learning Tier Progression Pathways as in the working draft of the Prospectus for Progression Pathways 2008/09. It is designed to allow practitioners to select the most appropriate qualifications to personalise the learning programme for the learner within the parameters of the Progression Pathway that is relevant and appropriate and meets the minimum component credit requirements. An up to date version of the Progression Pathways Qualifications Catalogue can be found on the following link http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_19836.aspx