 |
|
February 2010Welcome to the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) update.Welcome
QCDA is working with partner organisations to get the sector ready for putting the QCF into practice. It's working closely with awarding organisations, sector skills councils, learning providers and learners.
This newsletter provides updates on key implementation activity in England but also provides updates on QCF implementation in Wales and Northern Ireland. |
|
|
 |
|
New QCF materials available from QCDA |
|
|
| QCDA has published new QCF materials and resources. New and refreshed materials include leaflets on using the QCF for employers, learning providers and learners, and interactive step by step guides - the new QCF animation, an interactive guide to developing rules of combination and an interactive guide to help employers engage with the QCF. Also keep a look out for the new interactive guide to recognising prior learning in the QCF which will be published on the QCF readiness pages soon.We have also produced new QCF branded memory sticks pre-loaded with the QCF animated guide. If you would like to receive a memory stick, please email qcfreadiness@qcda.gov.ukThe QCF readiness webpage hosts a wealth of information from leaflets and guidance to presentations to help you understand and implement the new system. |
|
|
 |
|
Higher Education and the QCF |
|
|
| The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and higher education: Working together to benefit learners publication is now available. It provides information on how the QCF links with higher education and explores the opportunities and impact the QCF will bring.To order the brochure go to orderline.qcda.gov.uk and quote: QCDA/10/4611.The QCF team have been working with UCAS, UUK and SPA to understand the impact the QCF might have on admissions to HE, information, advice and guidance and credit transfer from FE to HE.The QCF team are finalising a set of FAQs developed from these meetings and are also presenting at a number of events in the HE sector to raise awareness of the QCF and to answer any questions from admissions practitioners on the QCF. |
|
|
 |
|
FAB/JCQ QCF Readiness project |
|
|
| The FAB/JCQ QCF Readiness project, which QCDA is sponsoring, is continuing until 31 March 2010, when the QCF project B capacity building will come to an end. New guidance notes to supplement Ofqual's and QCDA's guidance, and briefing/skills development events are being planned right up to the end of the project. The guidance notes and details of events, including how to book, will be emailed directly to awarding organisations. The publications to date comprise a set of questions and answers about the QCF and two guidance notes, writing QCF units, what to include and what to exclude, and completing the QCF supplementary recognition application form. For more information on the dates of the events and to register. Read more... |
|
|
 |
|
Invitation to participate in an evaluation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Readiness Programme and Employer Engagement Programme (EEP) |
|
|
The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) is currently undertaking a final evaluation of the QCF Readiness Programme and Employer Engagement Programme to measure the effectiveness of the programme up until March 2010. The evaluation aims to measure the effectiveness of the programmes in terms of disseminating information, raising knowledge and building capacity amongst SSC/Bs, awarding organisations and providers within the context of QCF.This will be your last opportunity as Sector Skills Councils / Standard Setting Bodies, Awarding organisations and Providers to participate in the evaluation project.The deadline for responses to the questionnaire is 19 February. To get involved please refer to the following links.Sector Skills Councils / Standard Setting Bodies
Awarding organisations
Providers |
|
|
|
|
New leaflet for learners from the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) |
|
|
| A new leaflet for learners is available from BIS about the benefits the vocational qualifications reforms are bringing for learners. This leaflet is available from BIS on www.bis.gov.uk/vqrefrom/, for hard copies contact sandra.calvete@bis.gsi.gov.uk |
|
|
|
|
LSIS |
|
|
| New training opportunities for QCF and Foundation LearningIn March, both the LSIS QCF Readiness Provider Support Programme and LSIS Foundation Learning Support will be expanded by the introduction of five new, one day training opportunities. The new events called Learning from the QCF and Foundation Learning champions, will take place at venues in London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds and Liverpool throughout March, with additional dates being considered subject to demand.They will provide important networking opportunities for practitioners and cover the latest policy updates, as well as showcasing LSIS resources such as the new interactive action planner and My Development interactive online learning activities. QCF and Foundation Learning champions will be leading workshops.To register an interest in these new training opportunities send an email with Learning from the champions in the subject line to, for QCF: qcfprovidersupport@nordanglia.com or, for Foundation Learning: foundationlearning@nordanglia.comRequests for action planning visits are growing rapidlyRegional contacts from the LSIS QCF Readiness Provider Support Programme and LSIS Foundation Learning Support are responding to increasing numbers of requests from colleges and providers for assistance to undertake action planning. Using our action planning tool, this process is a key stage in helping you to undertake a thorough review of your current state of readiness and to plan next steps. Any providers that haven't yet booked their visit should do so immediately as diary dates are filling quickly. Register your visit request for QCF at: qcfprovidersupport@nordanglia.com or for Foundation Learning at: foundationlearning@nordanglia.comHelp with action planning is available to all LSC contracted providers. |
|
|
|
|
Employer Engagement Programme |
|
|
| Interactive guide to getting involved in the QCF: A guide for employers has now been published.This step-by-step interactive tool helps employers learn more about how to use the flexibilities of the QCF and how to get in-house training recognised as national qualifications. It includes case studies, hints and tips, and links to further information.The QCF continues to be populated with employer qualifications, with five new qualifications from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation accredited in January 2010.Following the publication of the Skills for Growth White Paper, the Employer Engagement Programme remit will not be renewed after 31 March 2010. The EEP team are currently in discussion with existing employer accounts and key stakeholders to determine the best way forward to guarantee support to employers post-March 2010. New leads continue to be generated and are being directed to the most appropriate stakeholder.Two introductory QCF workshops will be held at the end of February for all employers who wish to attend; invitations for these will be sent out shortly. If you would be interested in attending please email recognition@qcda.gov.uk for further information. |
|
|
|
|
Country Specific - Wales only |
|
|
Implementing the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) and the QCF in the further education sector in WalesColegau Cymru/Colleges Wales is taking a lead in preparing the Further Education sector in Wales for the implementation of the CQFW. With support from the Welsh Assembly Government, Colegau Cymru is organising seminars and training events, producing support material and information for providers in the form of case studies in the implementation of the CQFW. There are discussions with a wide range of stakeholders including DCELLS, sector skills councils and awarding organisations to ensure there is clarity and consistency in the arrangements being made for implementation. Colegau Cymru has involved all of the colleges in Wales in this activity. There are representatives from the colleges on working groups looking at important issues, including:* the effect on the curriculum and quality assurance arrangements;
* how information, advice and guidance will be organised;
* informing students, parents and employers about the changes;
* ensuring the funding and MIS arrangements support the new framework; and
* ensuring that leaders and managers have the tools they need to bring about successful implementation.EventsBuilding a base for the CQFW in WalesThe feedback report for the four events held in Wales during November has now been produced, and a summary will be published on the Welsh Assembly Government website (http://wales.gov.uk).A total of 485 people attended, drawn from the full spectrum of stakeholders - including sector skills councils, local education authorities, further and higher education, schools, awarding organisations and learning providers. Representatives from the Welsh Assembly Government and DCELLS also attended.Website informationInformation on the QCF appears on the Welsh Assembly Government website, where the QCF is set within the context of the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW).The QCF sits within the regulated pillar of the CQFW. View a visual representation of the CQFW overarching framework.Funding QCF qualifications in WalesPost-16 funding in Wales is derived using a methodology known as the National Planning and Funding System (NPFS). This methodology was introduced in 2004, with full implementation being achieved in 2009. The NPFS was designed as a credit based funding system, to support credit based qualifications in Wales. The NPFS is therefore based on Credit Equivalence Units (CEUs). The QCF is completely aligned with CEUs, as one credit equates to 10 hours of learning time.Early indications are that some of the new QCF qualifications that have been developed are smaller in size than their NQF predecessors, particularly NVQs. This means the new qualifications have a lower number of credits attached than the number of CEUs existing in the previous qualifications. This has a negative impact on funding.Whilst the fundamental issue is one of qualification design, DCELLS is keen to ensure that the migration from the NQF to the QCF does not destabilise provision in Wales.In order to mitigate any adverse effects on funding resulting from the recording of QCF credits as they come through the system, DCELLS officials have decided on the following approach:For further education institutions: to maintain current NVQ values of 115, 135 and 160 to derive funding for the remainder of the 2009/2010 academic year. Any new QCF credits recorded will default to the old funding values.For work-based learning providers: to maintain current NVQ values of 115, 135 and 160 for the remainder of the current tender period i.e. to 31 July 2011. This position will be reviewed for the start of the new tender period commencing 2011/12.Both sectors have been informed of these interim arrangements.Qualification designWhilst the migration from NQF to QCF is still in the early stages, issues are being identified as the new framework is populated. One of the main concerns is around qualification size, particularly in the context of full-time, pre-19 provision. DCELLS officials have met with representatives from Sector Skills Councils, Awarding Organisations and providers to consider the implications of the new qualification size on funding and delivery. This work is ongoing. |
|
|
|
|
Country specific - Northern Ireland only |
|
|
| The Northern Ireland (NI) VQRP boardImplementation of the VQR in NI is overseen by the NI vocational qualifications reform programme (VQRP) board, which provides a programme management and advisory function to the Department for Employment and Learning. The focus of the implementation activity is now on awareness-raising and capacity-building among key partners who will be delivering the programme in NI.NI VQ Reform Capacity-Building ProgrammeThe NI Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) are bringing a coordinated programme of support to providers (Colleges and Training Organisations) in Northern Ireland to ensure that these key delivery partners are prepared to operate within the QCF and to take full advantage of the opportunities it provides. CCEA and LSDA have now undertaken a total of nine interactive QCF introductory workshops and these will continue throughout the Spring. Evaluation of this programme will inform further capacity building requirements for Colleges and Training Organisations.QCF readiness baselining surveySurveys were issued in September to gain a more detailed understanding of key stakeholders' needs. The survey measured the effectiveness to date of the VQRP in terms of disseminating information about the QCF, raising knowledge and building capacity amongst awarding organisations, sector skills councils/standard setting bodies and learning providers. The results of the survey (which can be seen on the NIVQRP website www.nivqrp.org.uk) show a very clear picture that all stakeholders are at different states of readiness. The outcomes have been used to shape the capacity building programme and the review of the communications strategy for NI. A further survey will be issued in February.Communications strategy reviewThe NI VQRP communications group carried out a review of its communications strategy in November. Stakeholders shaped this review through the completion of surveys, from feedback at events and seminars and through www.nivqrp.org.uk. The review recommended that a number of changes be made to the communications strategy for NI. The new strategy, which was presented to the NI VQRP board in December, will guide the communication and capacity-building programme between now and the end of 2010. It will be published on www.nivqrp.org.uk.Recognition of Training in Employment Programme (RTEP)Work is continuing with key stakeholders to raise awareness of this programme. A range of meetings with employer, SSC/Bs and others on the benefits of using NOS and scoping/mapping these to QCF units and qualifications have been undertaken and a number of organisations are actively involved in having their in-house training programme accredited. Organisations interested in this activity should contact in the first instance cheathwood@ccea.org.uk.NI VQRP conference May/June (date tbc)Following the success of last year's event, a second NI VQRP conference aimed at employers, sector skills councils, awarding organisations, FE colleges and other training organisations will be held in May or June. Contact Linda Berg linda.berg@delni.gov.uk or 028 9025 7506 for more details.For further information on any of these activities in NI, please contact Nick Gibson: nicholas.gibson@delni.gov.uk, 028 9025 7973. |
|
|
| The Government is introducing legislation in the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill that will transform QCA into QCDA. The bill will also specify when these changes will take place. For now, QCA remains the legal entity. QCDA will deliver, and build on, QCA's non-regulatory work. QCDA is developing the Qualifications and Credit Framework with partners as part of a major reform of the vocational qualifications system. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
