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1. Qualifications Credit Framework Introduction and Operational arrangements
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2. Introduction Introduction to QCF
Differences between NQF and QCF
Centre’s roles and responsibilities
Qualifications and unit structure
Registration and certification
......BUT.............. 2
3. ......BUT.... WAMITAB has insufficient detail
Some things will change
Some things will not change
WAMITAB aim to streamline and simplify
Centre input welcome
RB/SW to explain in more detail
Questions from Centre personnel 3
4. QCF credit certificates 4
5. Topics The QCF Framework –principles of operation
Comparisons between NQF and QCF
Status of the NVQ Code of Practice (NQF)
10 Week Rule?
Credit ‘Exemption’
Unit Structure – comparisons with NQF Units
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6. Topics Continued Assessment and Verification of QCF Awards
External Verifier Visits/Reporting
Claiming Unit and Qualification Certificates
Implications on Centre, Assessor and Verifier Approval 6
7. The QCF Framework – principles of operation Structures similar to NQF (Units/Qualifications), But !
All units now have:
Numeric Credit Value: ‘Volume’ of learning
Credit Level – determines the level of Learner Autonomy/Accountability
Levels: Entry Level, + Level 1 to Level 8
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8. QCF Principles continued: Qualifications specified as:
Award (1 - 12 Credits)
Certificate (13 – 36 Credits)
Diploma (36 credits or more)
Of note: WAMITAB Statutory Awards will all be Diploma’s as they have in excess of 100 Credits! 8
9. Comparisons between NQF and QCF NQF will not be ‘replaced’ by the QCF
NQF will continue for candidates registered by 31 Dec 2010 for at least 3 years (Cert. End Dates apply)
Therefore two frameworks operating together
NVQ Code of Practice relates only to NQF!
Commonality? – Evidence: VARS!!
Valid, Authentic, Reliable, Sufficient, evidence 9
10. Unit comparisons NQF: Standards specified on units by:
Performance Criteria (Statements)
Knowledge statements
Written in 1st Person
Unit Level not specified (Determined by Qualification Level)
Units can fall to more than one level 1-2/3-4 etc.
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11. Unit Comparisons QCF: Standards specified on units by:
Learning Outcomes (prefixed with ‘The Learner Will’ ...)
Assessment Criteria (prefixed with ‘The Learner Can ...)
Written in 3rd Person
Knowledge specified in LO and AC with knowledge verbs; e.g. Understand... Know how (to)... 11
12. QCF Units cont: QCF Units have:
Credit Value Assigned (denotes size; 1 Credit = 10 hours of ‘learning’)
‘Credit Level’ Assigned – New Concept: Units now have ‘Level’ as well as the Qualification
QCF Qualifications can contain Units at different ‘Levels’
Qualification Level determined by 51% of ‘Unit Level’ content 12
13. Status of the ‘NVQ Code of Practice’ What Code of Practice??
Applies to NQF only!
Will continue to apply to NQF
QCF Regulatory Arrangements 2008 – Primary regulatory document. 13
14. ‘10 Week Rule’ What ‘10 Week Rule’?
‘10 Week Rule’ only relates to NVQ’s within the NQF
Continues for NQF qualifications
Not applicable to QCF qualifications 14
15. Credit ‘EXEMPTIONS’ ‘Exemption’ = A Unit from ‘elsewhere within the QCF’ which the Awarding Organisation confirms can be used as an exemption to a ‘Rule of Combination’ Unit within the QCF Qualification.
Principle of ‘Exemption’: A unit which matches in Content, Level and Size the unit for which Exemption is requested, and is approved for exemption. 15
16. Unit Structure Comparisons of NQF and QCF Unit formats
(Handouts) 16
17. Assessment and Verification of QCF Awards Qualification determines assessment method:
In the Work Place, or,
‘Classroom’ based = Taught and Tested
QCF Units require 100% achievement
(Note difference here between ‘NQF VRQ’ and ‘QCF VRQ’)
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18. Assessor and IV requirements Requirements for Assessors and IV’s identical to current system in terms of:
Operational competence for A/IV (recruitment)
A1/A2/D units as required (V1 for Verifier)
New Assessor Units 2010 (as applicable)
WAMITAB Annual CPD requirements
VARS Principles
‘Personal Interest’: avoided or scrutinised
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19. Assessment principles: Units are able to be assessed individually
“Require the production of sufficient evidence from learners to enable reliable and consistent judgements regarding all learning outcomes against the stated assessment criteria”
i.e ‘100%’ & ‘VARS’ 19
20. External Verifier Visits EV’s to review both NQF and QCF provision
Single EV Report to record Centre activities for both frameworks and type(s) of qualification (WB/T&T)
EV Reports modified to cater for changes
2 visits per annum (no change)
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21. Implications for Centre, Assessor/Verifier Approval The approval process for Centres, Assessors and Verifiers will be simplified (provided automatically by WAMITAB) where there are equivalent pathways, units etc with NQF awards
New technology areas: e.g Anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis and gasification, will require forms submitted for Centre, Assessor and Verifier approval 21
22. Implications for Centre, Assessor/Verifier Approval Assessor/Verifier AVR1 forms – Centres need to identify relevant units or pathways for open option awards
Equivalent QCF awards will automatically be recorded for Centres, Assessors/Verifiers, with exception of new technology areas
Centres will be issued with QCF Centre Certificates
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23. Qualifications Credit Framework MIAP/UKRLP/ULN’s 23
24. Acronym Buster MIAP – Managing Information across Partners
LRS – Learner Registration Service
UKRLP – UK Register of Learning Providers
ULN – Unique Learner Number 24
25. Registration with UKRLP The first action a Centre will need to take is to register on the UK Register of Learning Providers if not already registered
Web Address is: http://www.ukrlp.co.uk.
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26. Registration with MIAP 26
27. Using the MIAP Site Once Centres are registered then you will be able to obtain ULN’s for learners who register with them
For Centres who have already been involved in Funded Training Programmes such as Train to Gain should already be familiar with this process 27
28. QCF Pages on Website We have produced a guidance document for Operating in the Qualifications & Credit Framework which you can download.
There is also a FAQ section on this page
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29. Registering Candidates Similar process to registering NQF Candidates.
WAMITAB Candidate Registration Form will be streamlined and have a section for ULN & Credit information
Centres are responsible for determining incoming credit arrangements and reporting to AO
ULN are optional (unless learners are on funded programmes)
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30. Qualifications Credit Framework APL v RPL 30
31. RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning Under the QCF, Accreditation of Prior Learning will become RPL.
There are 6 stages to Recognition of Prior Learning 31
32. RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning Stage 1: General awareness about claiming credit – Information, advice & guidance
Candidates will need to be advised that they may be able to claim credit for prior qualifications, including timeline, appeals process, and any fees available
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33. RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning 33
34. RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning Stage 3: Assessment/documentation of evidence
Centre must assess evidence to ensure integrity of both the award of credit and the RPL system as a whole 34
35. RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning Stage 4: Feedback
After the assessment of the RPL evidence the assessor will need to give feedback to the learner, which may include further evidence gathering or part unit completion
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36. RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning Stage 5: Awarding Credit
WAMITAB will be responsible for recording and awarding credit on receipt of information from the Centre
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37. RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning Stage 6: Appeal
If there is an appeal against a RPL decision then claimants would follow existing appeals procedures already in operation at the centre and WAMITAB
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38. RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning The RPL system looks complex but is very similar to the existing APL process within the NQF
Read the guidance documents from the QCDA 38
39. Questions?
......Discussion 39