The Qualifications and Credit (QCF) Framework is a new way of recognising skills and knowledge by awarding credit for unit and qualification achievement. It enables people to gain qualifications at their own pace along flexible routes.
Government ministers asked the regulators for England (QCA), Wales (DELLS) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) to test and trial the framework.
The challenges of the new QCF are being met by Skills for Health as a key partner in testing and trialling the system with eventual full roll out planned from summer 2008.
Skills for Health is leading a project in partnership with Skills for Justice and Skills for Care and working with City & Guilds and Edexcel testing and trialling a brand new set of qualifications. The Awards and Certificates in Working with Substance Misuse at both Level 3 and 4 are part of the development of the Framework in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The qualifications have been accredited and we are seeing the first learners registering. We've also published both employers' and learners' guides to Awards and Certificates in Working with Substance Misuse.
The Home Office and the Department of Health have supported our work as it will provide a recognised qualification to assist skills development and career progression within the field.
