skip links | text only | accessibility | site map | text : larger / normal / smaller |
Sunday 18 May 2008
.

Qualifications and Credit Framework

Please note: this only relates to England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Click here to go straight to the units to review

The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a breakthrough in the way the skills of individuals working in the environmental and land-based sector can be developed, recognised and nationally accredited.  The QCF directly addresses employers’ demands for bite-sized chunks of learning, delivered on a flexible basis to suit the needs of the business and the individual, and which can be built up into nationally recognised qualifications. 

 

Lantra, in conjunction with a number of awarding bodies, is developing units for inclusion in the QCF but we now need your help.  We are looking for volunteers to help develop these units.  The first industries to be addressed are agricultural crops, animal care, environmental conservation, fencing, floristry, horticulture and landscape (amenity horticulture). 

 

Please see below for further information about the QCF and how we would like you to get involved.

For further information about this work please contact Lantra Connect: tel 0845 707 8007 or email connect@lantra.co.uk

What is the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF)?

The QCF is a new way of recognising the skills and qualifications of individuals in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It does this by awarding credit to units (small steps of learning) which are then built up into qualifications, where required. 

The QCF is a fully flexible system which will enable people to gain qualifications at their own pace, to suit the needs of the individual and industry. 

By 2010 the QCF will replace the current National Qualifications Framework, which is where all the qualifications eligible for public funding are listed. 

What benefits will the framework offer me as an employer?

  • Bite-sized learning

  • The ability to pick and mix units as and when required to suit business needs

  • A fully flexible system which recognises previous achievements

  • Measurement of the level and size of achievements of prospective employees

  • Recognition of in-house training within a national framework

  • The description of levels of achievement in terms everyone can understand

  • Clear training options and pathways – helping employees and employers find the right training for their learning and business needs

Have your say...  please tell us what you think of the units we have developed so far 

Lantra is leading the way by working with industry and awarding bodies to develop units from the National Occupational Standards to be included in the QCF.  A number of these units are now ready for feedback and can be accessed by clicking on the appropriate link below.

Progress of revised units 

Thank you to everyone who has fed in to the development of the fencing and floristry units.  The revised units are now being worked on by the awarding bodies to be developed into qualifications.

Timescales

  • The units identified above will be developed and agreed with industry and awarding bodies by May 2008

  • Units are available for consultation with the industry from February 2008 onwards

  • Awarding bodies will then agree how the units can be pulled together to develop qualifications.

  • These revised National Vocational Qualifications for these industries will be available for delivery in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by August 2008.