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OCN NI welcomes the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
24-05-09
Open College Network Northern Ireland’s (OCNNI) Chief Executive Brendan Clarke welcomed the ministerial statement on the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). He highlighted that OCNNI has been at the heart of credit based learning in Northern Ireland since 1993 with close to 200,000 learners in Northern Ireland having already been enrolled in credit based courses through OCN NI.
Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning announced in November 08, that the new QCF would be implemented in Northern Ireland. The QCF is a credit and unit-based system. This means that learning is designed in bite-sized blocks of learning called units. Typically units are 10, 20 or 30 hours of learning with 1 credit equalling 10 hours of learning. These units can then be combined together in qualifications more flexibly to better align with the learner’s needs.
We at OCCNI know how well credit based learning works for providers, employers and most importantly, learners and are delighted that this approach to learning and qualifications will be made available as a national system. This new system will enable as many people as possible to really make their learning count.
For many OCNNI providers it’s very much business as usual as the QCF closely aligns with the credit based system we have used since OCNNI came into existence in 1993. The implementation of the new QCF serves as a welcome validation of the credit based learning programmes we have used.
What is the Qualifications and Credit Framework?
The QCF is a reform of the qualification framework designed to offer greater opportunity for the recognition of a wide range of learning in smaller blocks of learning. This enables for example workplace based learning and a range of learning from differing sources to be more easily recognised. The recognition of a diverse range of learning as units allows for a more flexible combination of learning to form national qualifications.
How does the Qualifications and Credit Framework work?
Each qualification title contains the following:
- the level of the qualification (from Entry level at the bottom to level 8 at the top)
- the size of qualification (award/certificate/diploma)
- details indicating the content of the qualification
The diagram below shows the structure of the QCF and the way in which qualifications are represented.
What are the benefits of the QCF?
The QCF will enable people to gain units and qualifications at their own pace, from a number of sources, in a way that suits them and they will be able to carry the modules with them if, for example, they change jobs. This new modular approach to the way vocational qualifications are awarded will make them more relevant to the needs of employers and more flexible and accessible for learners, without compromising quality. Employers will also find it easier to recruit or develop employees with the skills they need for business success as learning can be better focused on the specific skills employers need.
By 2010 all key vocational qualifications will be approved by Sector Skills Councils and readily available to learners in small, credit-based units of learning. Another key element of the QCF is the introduction of a Unique Learner Number (ULN). This will allow learners to capture all the accredited learning they undertake under one student number. Learners can then be recognised for a broader range of their learning and simplify the process of documenting the entire learner’s achievement for the learner and also for employers.
How OCN NI is implementing the QCF
OCNNI already has a number of new qualifications on the QCF, i.e. NOCN Qualifications in Progression (QCF) and NOCN Skills Towards Enabling Progression, (Step- Up for 14-19 years). The Qualifications for Progression and Step-Up are new frameworks of qualifications that allow learners and providers to tailor courses that closely align with the learner’s needs and facilitate progression to higher levels of learning. Each of these qualifications allow the option to choose from up to 700 differing units from Entry level to Level 3. This enables a high degree of flexibility to align the learning and learning pathways with the learner’s needs. The qualifications also lead towards the achievement of national Award, Certificate or Diploma level qualifications.
What happens next?
OCNNI already has a number of new qualifications on the QCF, i.e. NOCN Qualifications in Progression (QCF) and NOCN Skills Towards Enabling Progression, (Step- Up for 14-19 years). The Qualifications for Progression and Step-Up are new frameworks of qualifications that allow learners and providers to tailor courses that closely align with the learner’s needs and facilitate progression to higher levels of learning. Each of these qualifications allow the option to choose from up to 700 differing units from Entry level to Level 3. This enables a high degree of flexibility to align the learning and learning pathways with the learner’s needs. OCN NI is planning a number of workshops to provide you with detailed information on the implementation of the QCF. The workshops will highlight the implications of QCF for providers and, more importantly, the opportunities the QCF offers providers. Below are the workshop dates and all providers are welcome to attend. To confirm your attendance and for further information please contact Kathryn McMath on tel 028 90650200 or email kmcmath@ocnni.org.uk
Qualifications and Credit Framework Workshops:
Venues to be confirmed:
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Tuesday 2 June 2009
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Omagh
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10.00am -12.00pm
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Tuesday 23 June 2009
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Belfast
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10.00am -12.00pm
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Wednesday 24 June
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Derry
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10.00am -12.00pm
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Our Vision Statement
To be recognised and respected as the leading credit based learning and development body in Ireland, promoting social inclusion, wider participation and community transformation.
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