BIIAB QCF WORKSHOP

The New Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

Sam Liveseysam@bii.org01276 417855

What will be covered

• 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?

• 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

• 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

Entry 1-3

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Award1-12 credits

Certificate13-36 credits

Diploma37+ credits

Up to Level 8

Diff

icul

ty /

chal

leng

e

Foundation Learning

1 Credit =

10 Learning Hours i.e.

Guided Learning Hours (GLH) plus any other learning time required

to achieve learning

outcomes

Size

QCF: The Structure

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

• 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

• Learners accumulate credit from achievement of units

• Credit is stored on an electronic Personal Learner Record (PLR)

Unit A4 credits

Unit B12 credits

Unit C6 credits

Unit D9 credits

Unit E10 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

Unit A Unit B Unit C

Unit D Unit E

BIIAB qualification

QCF: The Structure

• 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

BIIAB qualification

Unit A Unit B Unit C

Unit D Unit E

Another qualification

Unit F Unit B

Unit GUnit D

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 qualificationBIIAB

Unit A Unit B Unit C

Unit D Unit E

NOCN

EDI

Unit A Unit B Unit C

Unit D Unit E

Unit A Unit B Unit C

Unit D Unit E

QCF: The Structure

NQF World

NVQs

VRQs

QCF World

One type of vocational

qualification only

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: Only One Type of Qualification

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

QCF: Unit Terminology / Principles

• 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

Recognising previous achievement

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 BurtonHead of Examination Processes

01276 417829susan@bii.org

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 • Any assessment leading to Qualifications and units the centre

should have in place arrangements to obtain ULNs on behalf of the learner

• Learner Record Service (LRS) is where centres can register the learner for the ULN

• Learner Registration Bodies (LRB)

• 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 e-mail 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?