The Qualifications and Credit Framework

1. The Qualifications and Credit Framework

2. QCF implementation seminars Bringing clarity to the QCF

3. Welcome and introductions

4. Aims of today's seminar The QCF, credit and the new qualifications Update on QCF funding Understanding the key impacts Helping you plan for change Support for you and your customers Answering your questions To bring clarity to the QCF by helping you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the changes. The areas we will cover include:

5. Working together to deliver success

6. We are with you every step of the way We have already entered the biggest change in vocational education since the introduction of NVQs. And we’ve been listening to your concerns. We will work in partnership with you to ensure we can help you meet the needs of your learners and employers. We are focused on giving you the information you need, when you need it. The QCF is providing us with the opportunity to better meet your requirements with improvements to our systems and process. More information to come in 2010. Our broad portfolio will continue to be the most recognised by employers and learners and will allow you access to the full range of funding streams. These seminars are just the start of our support. This will be a long journey and we are here to help you every step of the way.

7. What is the QCF?

8. What is the QCF? Recognises achievement, through the award of credit for units and qualifications. It provides more flexible routes to full qualifications, achievable in smaller steps. New standardised titles will make it easier to understand and compare. Greater commonality through shared units and a standard unit template. A new centralised database, due in late 2010, will help to track credit and provide learners with an online record of their achievements. The implementation of the QCF is already well underway in some sectors. Qualification purposes will replace ‘types’ for categorising qualifications. Still some uncertainty on funding and development timelines in some sectors.

9. National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Vocational qualifications (VRQs and NVQs) accredited by QCA onto the NQF. JAN 2011* PRESENT Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Accredited vocational qualifications now on the QCF. NQF closed for new registrations.*Expected ‘Mixed Economy’ QCF introduced with a transitional period for new registrations until the end of 2010 whilst qualifications are developed and accredited on the QCF. Moving from the NVQ to the QCF PAST

10. Qualification w+x+y+z credits More flexibility under the QCF Awarding organisation (AO) Provider x credit unit z credit unit y credit unit y credit unit Credit accumulation - Greater choice and flexibility can support the provider in delivering more tailored courses to meet needs of wider group of learners and employers.

11. Level 3 Qualification Credit transfer and progression Providers AOs Level 2 credit Level 2 credit Level 2 credit Level 3 credit Level 3 credit Level 3 credit Level 3 credit Credit transfer - Progression supported by credit being used across levels, sizes (Award, Certificate and Diploma) and sometimes sector areas. Reduces in repetition of learning.

12. Credit and qualifications

13. The building blocks Units and credit in the QCF • Standard unit template • Title • Learning outcomes • Assessment criteria • Level • Credit value • GLH (if applicable) • Some units will appear in more than one qualification • Credit can be transferred between qualifications • Rules of combination outline what credit and which units can be used. • The credit value is a measure of average time learning time • one credit = 10 hours of notional learning • Many units will still include guided learning hours (GLH) • no requirement to evidence notional hours still GLH. • Many units shared across awarding organisations (AO) • Learners can gain credit towards a qualification from more than one AO • Many shared units developed in collaboration.

14. What makes up a qualification? 2 3 1 Designed by AOs with *SSCs/SSBs and only go on QCF when approved by the relevant SSC/SSB States credit required from mandatory and optional units Rules of combination set out the combination of credit that must be achieved 6 5 4 Opportunities for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Credit can come from more than one level Exemptions and equivalents can also be identified * Sector Skills Council (SSC) / Standard Setting Bodies (SSB)

15. QCF qualifications 1 credit = 10 hours of learning. The learning time is notional and is taken as the estimated number of hours it takes the average learner to complete all the learning outcomes of that unit.

16. New titles and terminology We already have over 500 qualifications on the QCF with titles including: • City & Guilds Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Hairdressing • City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Retail Skills • City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma in Retail Skills • City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector • City & Guilds Entry 3 Certificate in Personal Progression through Employment 1.Difficulty 2.Size 3.Content Purpose? Entry to level 8 Award Certificate Diploma Used to describe subject area Additional terminology used to describe use eg prove occupational competence or CPD

17. Key differences

18. Activity 1 Understanding QCF qualifications, rules of combination and the use of credit accumulation and transfer.

19. Evolution not revolution in policy and assessment The future of NVQ style qualifications is secure…but under what name in your sector? Assessor and Verifier requirements (A1/V1 awards) – what is happening to the NVQ Code of Practice? Assessment types and methods remain the same…but how are we helping by producing the right assessment strategies to reduce assessment burden? Are some SSCs blending NVQ/VRQ style units in the same qualification?

20. Meeting the needs of the industry - the role of the SSCs/SSBs There are 25 SSCs that are led by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). The SSC’s roles includes: • Identifying skills needs • Proposing/developing standards, units and qualifications • Approving all qualifications in their sector alongside Ofqual • Prioritising qualifications for public funding. The Sector Qualification Strategy (SQS) sets the direction and the Action Plan sets out what they would like to be publicly funded. Find your SSC at www.sscalliance.org/SSCs/LinksoSSCs.aspx

21. Break - 10 minutes

22. QCF Funding

23. Funding of qualifications until 2010/2011 QCF has no major impact on funding until full implementation during 2010/2011. From August 2009 QCF promoted as provision of choice - where available - in Train to Gain, OLASS, Pre-employment Training (PET) and Adult Responsiveness. Notevery QCF qualification will be prioritised for public funding. The LSC is working with SSCs and SSBs to determine which QCF qualifications should be prioritised and fundable. Big shift to QCF provision in 2010/2011 Size of full level 2 and level 3 on the QCF decided by the SSC/SSB. All LSC guidance related to the QCF can be found at http://qfr.lsc.gov.uk/ukvqrp/support

24. QCF Funding long term outlookFull qualification now – unit based later? There will be no move to credit based funding rates until 2012 at the earliest. Rate still linked to guided learning hours (GLH). Unit funding The LSC has funded units since 2001. Limited QCF unit funding trials will continue until the end of 2009. Majority of funding programmes will still focus on full qualifications (eg Train to Gain) but the LSC expects flexibility in other areas. Performance measures Initially no change but the LSC is working with Ofsted to scope credit based success rates. More information due in late autumn. • The LSC will be dissolved in 2010: • Skills Funding Agency will look after post 19 funding (eg FE Colleges). • The Young Person’s Learning Agency (YPLA) will work with local authorities to distribute 16-19 funding to schools and 6th form colleges. • The National Apprenticeships Service (NAS) will fund apprenticeships. • It is expected that the SFA will publish their funding methodology in April 2010.

25. Learner records and Unique Learner Numbers 1 2 3 4 Each new QCF learner is set to have a centralised online learner record by the end of 2010. ULNs are the identifier required to facilitate learner and funding records moving forward. Many funding streams returns already have ULNs as a learner requirement. We have already successfully collected and authenticated nearly 200,000 ULNs from centres. A major element of the centralised IT system for the QCF is the introduction of online learner records. This system will also manage the accumulation and transfer of credit (CAT) across awarding organisations and providers. For more information and guidance check out www.cityandguilds.com/uln

26. What does it really mean for you?

27. What it really means for you • Now • Mixed economy of delivery under new and old regulations • Lots of redeveloped qualifications delivered in short period • New titles and terminology • Increased funding volatility • Very short turnaround times • Need to develop employer and learner understanding • In the long run • Further funding volatility and uncertainty over funding by credit/units • More demand-led system • Managing flexible delivery to meet more individual needs • Individual unit take-up

28. Impacts – things you need to consider Senior Management Do your have a clear strategy and action plans in place to deal with the changes? Curriculum planners When will your provision be redeveloped? Are you preparing for more flexible delivery? Delivery StaffKeeping on top of qualification redevelopment plans and the impact this might have on delivery and assessment? Staff Development / CPD Do you need a CPD programme to support staff through the changes? MIS / Exams Office Are you registered with MIAP as a Learner Registration Body, collecting ULNs for learners? Marketing and Sales What impact will timelines, new titles and terminology have on your prospectuses for 2010/2011? Employer engagementAre you reviewing your offering to employers and including in communications? IAG/Careers support Are staff ready to knowledgably advise learners on new QCF qualifications?

29. Planning for the change

30. Five tops tips for successful implementation Here are just a few things you might want to set in motion if you haven’t already: 1 Develop an organisation-wide QCF strategy, identify the staff you will require to assess the full impacts and develop the required action plans to maximise the opportunities it presents. 2 Make all staff aware of the changes and deliver the training needed to bring them up to speed. 3 Monitor and communicate SSC/SSB plans and those of funding agencies and awarding organisations to relevant staff. 4 Seriously consider how the tight time frames will impact on your course offer and how you will then sell and market this offer, especially with so much uncertainty on specific QCF qualification details like titles. 5 Speak to City & Guilds…we are here to help!

31. How will I know when qualifications in my area will be on the QCF? We expect many of our qualifications to be developed and accredited on the QCF to be ready for delivery from Autumn 2010. • Our regular monthly e-mailings will advise of developments in each individual industry/subject area • You can register for these tailored and free updates at www.cityandguilds.com/updates • Redevelopment timetables will be updated regularly • Speak to your regional office contact

32. Updated regularly, for the latest information visit www.cityandguilds.com/qcf Redevelopment timetables

33. The tools To help you in your preparations we have developed a number of planning tools to assist your preparedness for the changes ahead.

34. Activity 2 What does your centre need to change to operate successfully under the QCF and become a more demand-led provider?

35. Moving forward together

36. Nov 2008: Ministerial sign-off for implementation Jan 2011: NQF set to close for new registrations on NQF Sep 2009: Learner records NQF QCF 2006- 2008: Tests and trials Spring 2009: City & Guilds first to get QCF recognition from the regulator Ofqual Aug 2010: Many qualifications now on the QCF and funded over NQF versions Timelines for full implementation We are investing heavily in improving and simplifying our processes, online catalogue, quality assurance model and pricing to improve the QCF experience for our centres. 2010 2011 2009 2012 2008

37. 2 We’re the first choice for employers with the highest recognition 3 We can help you access the full range of funding streams 4 Deep industry insights, better quality qualifications No one is better placed to guide you through the transition to ensure success for the learner We have tools to help you through the move 1

38. Web Find out the latest QCF news, information and support online at www.cityandguilds.com/qcf Receive answers to your QCF questions from experts through qcf@cityandguilds.com QCF Seminars Dedicated email support We’re holding QCF seminars across England, Northern Ireland and Wales to help guide you through the QCF. Materials and documentation Support materials and guidance including our technical QCF guide, FAQs, information sheets and more. Supporting your transition

39. Receive QCF updates straight to your inbox every month. Subscribe at: www.cityandguilds.com/updates QCF updates Regional office support Speak to your local Customer Relationship Manager for support in managing the transition to the QCF. Online discussion forum Discuss the QCF with peers and City & Guilds experts at www.smartscreen.co.uk In-house workshops We have already worked with many of our centres to help them in their planning for the QCF by delivering tailored in-house QCF workshops. Supporting your transition (2)

40. Quick discussion What else can we do to help support you in this period of change?

41. Your questions answered

42. All the information and support you need in one place Please complete our short QCF survey before you leave. Your feedback is really important to us and it will form a key part of our work in supporting you moving forward. We are here to help - so if there is anything else you need after the seminar, please let us know. Web www.cityandguilds.com/qcf Email qcf@cityandguilds.com Thank you and goodbye