Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Transitional Qualifications

Qualifications and Credit Framework progress update

From January 2011, all vocational qualifications including those for the health sector in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be regulated within the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). 
This new framework is a national initiative led by the UK Governments which will:

  • Provide a flexible, modern system for vocational qualifications
  • Give learners the opportunity to transfer credits between qualifications to avoid having to repeat their learning
  • Help employers by describing levels of achievement in terms everyone can understand.

For additional background information about the QCF please visit the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) website.

Issues to note

Not all health sector qualifications will transition to the QCF. In considering which qualifications to transition, consideration has been made of sector need, as well as the business case for each qualification. Some qualifications will not transition due to a low take-up and a weak business case.

A complete list of the qualifications transitioning and not transitioning, together with their draft titles within the QCF, is available at the end of this briefing.

  • Where NVQs or pathways are not transitioning, alternative provision will be made as far as possible 
  • Existing qualifications take priority within the transition process and new qualifications will be considered as soon as possible
  • In order to make full use of the opportunities for credit transfer within the QCF we are making as much use of common units as possible. This means that some health qualifications include units being developed by other sectors. 

The transition of NQF Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs) to the QCF is being managed by the individual Awarding Organisations who offer the qualifications. Skills for Health monitors progress on these and reports back to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. 

Further information and updates

Please see our vocational qualification pages.

If you have any queries please contact the Qualifications Division.
 

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