The development of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) was instigated in order to bring greater choice, clarity and simplicity. Government and regulators hope this will then create a framework which is more attentive to the needs of employers and learners.

Let us tell you about some of the opportunities the QCF aims to create for the vocational education market:

Supports employer needs now and in the future

The framework will enable learners to ‘mix and match’ a wider range of generic and specialist credit (units) in a given industry/subject area.  This means employees and employers receive training that is more relevant to their needs and interests.

Allows learners to participate in study at any point in their life and career

Because there will be a wider choice of units within the framework, varying in time taken to achieve, learners will have more freedom to choose credit that fits in with their lifestyle at a particular time.

The focus on units within QCF will give learners greater freedom to add on training to existing achievements to both upskill and reskill at any point in their career.

Unitisation gives learners more choice to study at a pace, place and time that suits them

Because the framework will have a wider variety of units requiring different time commitments, learners will have more choice to determine the pace and time at which they study.

Within the new framework learners will be able to accumulate and transfer credit across awarding bodies for some qualifications. This flexibility means learners and employers will have greater control over where they study.

Skills for a brighter future

This should lead to an increase in the number of learners involved in accredited vocational training, helping to improve the skills of the nations workforce.

If you want to find out how the structure of QCF qualifications will work, take a look at our 'Awards, Certificates and Diplomas' page.