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Vocational qualifications on the Qualifications and Credit Framework are new, work-related qualifications. They are designed to allow you to learn in a way that suits you, and give you the skills that employers are looking for. There are already lots to choose from, in a wide range of subjects.
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These new work-related qualifications are located on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The QCF groups qualifications together into a number of ‘levels’ that place different demands on you as a learner.
See ‘at a glance’ what’s involved
Each qualification title tells you:
Vocational qualifications on the QCF are designed to be much more flexible than other work-related qualifications.
They are made up of units, so you can study a pace that suits you. Over time, you can combine units in different ways to make up a complete qualification.
This means that no learning you do is ever ‘lost’ or counts for nothing. It also means you don’t have to repeat learning unnecessarily.
Learn in a way that suits you
Every new qualification and unit on the QCF has a credit value, showing how long it takes to complete. One credit is equivalent to 10 hours. This can include time spent learning in a variety of ways – not necessarily being taught by someone.
There are three different sizes of qualification, worth different numbers of credits. Larger qualifications will take longer to complete than smaller ones.
An award is the smallest type of qualification on the QCF. It is worth between one and 12 credits. This means it takes between 10 and 120 hours to complete.
A certificate is worth between 13 and 36 credits. It takes between 130 and 360 hours to complete.
A diploma is worth 37 credits or more, so takes at least 370 hours to complete.
Choose from a wide range of subjects
Thousands of these new qualifications are available already – more are being added all the time
Each type of qualification on the QCF also has a level between Entry level and level 8, showing how difficult it is.
The QCF levels are the same as the levels on the National Qualification Framework, which lists other types of qualification. For example, GCSEs are at levels 1 and 2, A levels are at level 3, and a PhD is at level 8.
The title of every qualification on the QCF contains the following information:
This means you can see at a glance how much time you’ll need to complete the qualification, and how difficult it is likely to be compared with other qualifications.
You can choose the size and level of a qualification that best suits your needs, as long as you meet any entry criteria. For example, you could choose a diploma at level 1, or an award at level 8.
Improve your career prospects
New vocational qualifications give you the skills employers want
There are already over 5,000 of these new vocational qualifications on the QCF, available in a wide range of subjects. More are being added all the time.
You can search for them on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications.
Follow the link below. Then, in the search box enter ‘QCF,’ and the subject you’re interested in. For example: ‘QCF, hairdressing’.
Qualifications on the QCF are available from a wide range of learning providers. A number of employers are also developing these qualifications.
They are available in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. They are also recognised in Scotland.
This means, for example, that you could complete a unit in one part of the UK, and then combine it with other units that you take somewhere else in the UK.
Between now and the end of 2010, other vocational qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are being changed into units and moved on to the QCF.
Some of these new qualifications will continue to be called NVQs, BTECs, City and Guilds, OCRs, HNCs and HNDs - and they will all continue to be recognised and valued by employers.
For advice on learning and qualifications for 13 to 19 year olds, contact Connexions Direct.
The 'It's your choice: options after 16' section has information about options after Year 11.
Get advice about qualifications for adult learners from Next Step.
You can also get advice from your school, college, employer or careers adviser.
Get careers advice online or speak to a Next Step careers adviser on 0800 100 900
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