Qualifications to build from choice of units

Childcare students will be able to cherry-pick units from different awarding bodies when the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is fully implemented in 2008.

The QCF replaces the existing National Qualifications Framework and incorporates England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as accommodating credit transfers from awards in Scotland. It will also dovetail with a European framework currently in development.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of awarding body CACHE, Peter Wilson, lead advisor on the QCF for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, said that its structure offers more flexibility and scope.

Rather than breaking down a qualification into units, it is a case of using the units to build a qualification tailored to an individuals own career path, he says. Another important change is that units will be transferable between all awarding bodies.

The QCF covers private, voluntary and maintained sectors and will link to the Integrated Qualifications Framework, which supports qualifications specifically developed for the childrens workforce. The ability to map qualifications between the two is intended to promote integrated working over time.

Sector Skills Councils will be charged with writing workforce development plans, approving qualifications and promoting self-assessment. It is hoped this will make the QCF more responsive to the needs of employers.

The new Further Education and Training bill is also designed to increase employer input, by placing a duty on the Learning and Skills Council and colleges to take account of the needs of both employers and learners when planning their policies.

More information about the QCF is at www.qca.org.uk.

* Over the past academic year, CACHE registered candidates rose by 15 per cent. CACHEs income increased by more than 14 per cent to 9.5m and it boosted its staff from 85 to 130. It also introduced 16 new qualifications, including the Diploma in Home-based Childcare.