New qualifications (Qualifications and Credit Framework - QCF)

In January 2011 NVQs were replaced with new Diplomas and smaller Awards and Certificates for continued professional development.

The new qualifications replace the previous NVQs and VRQs and offer a new way of recognising skills and qualifications. They do this by awarding credit for qualifications and units (small steps of learning). They enable people to gain qualifications at their own pace along flexible routes.

Workers who have already undertaken relevant NVQs have got legitimate qualifications that demonstrate competency. These qualifications will continue to be recognised now that the new qualifications are in place, but they are not available for new registrations.

The new qualifications provide a flexible, 'mix and match' approach to meeting the different development needs of the workforce.

Every unit and qualification has both a credit value and a level:

• one credit represents 10 hours of average learning time and so the credit value shows approximately how much time it takes to complete. This will be different for each learner.
• the level shows how difficult the unit or qualification is (this can be anywhere between entry level and level 8) our sector now has vocational qualifications/units from level 1 through to level 7.

There are now three sizes of qualification:

• Award (1-12 credits)
• Certificate (13-36 credits)
• Diploma (above 36 credits) - not linked to the 14-19 Diploma.

The type of qualification (award, certificate or diploma) therefore shows its size and not how difficult it is, For example: there could be Awards available at level 1 or level 8.

In this section you will find information on:

what has changed

qualifications and units

aligning your training to the new units

as well as supporting materials with further information on the QCF.