This is the new Government system for recognising skills and previous qualifications. This is done by awarding credits for full qualifications and units (parts of qualifications). This 'credit value' specifies the number of units gained by learners who complete that unit. The flexibility of the system allows individual learners to gain qualifications at their own pace along routes that suit them as individuals.

The QCF system aims to provide a simple but flexible structure allowing achievements to be recognised and recorded through the award of credits and the easy identification of each achievement's level and size.

Units are the building blocks used to 'make up' qualifications. Every unit and qualification has a credit value and a level. One credit represents approximately 10 hours of learning, indicating how much time an average learner will take to complete the unit or qualification. Levels indicate the level of difficulty and range from entry level 1 to level 8. The are three types of qualifications:

Award (1 to 12 credits)

Certificate (13 to 36 credits)

Diploma (37 or more credits)

Learners can complete an award of any difficulty level from 1 to 8. This is because the type of qualification indicates the size of the qualification, not the difficulty.

The title of the qualification should indicate its difficulty, how long it will take the average learner to complete, and its general content, using the following information:

• Qualification level (from lowest, entry level 1 to level 8 at the top).
• Qualification size (award /certificate/diploma).
• Content of the qualification.

Simply by looking at the title of the qualification you will be able to see the difficulty, how long it will take the average learner and its general content.

To help identify the levels it it useful to know in the new framework:

GCSE's (grade A* - C) are level 2, GCE A levels are level 3 and PhD's are level 8.

Transfer of credit

Shared units can be directly transferred between Awarding Organisations. This will allow learners to proceed without having to repeat any previously achieved units.

Learners will be given access to their own Unique Learner Number ULN (unique learner number) that will log all unit and qualification achievements. This same system will also allow Awarding Organisations to review a learner’s previous achievements and record their new achievements in a central database.

QCF Units and Qualifications

The database of units are maintained. Awarding Organisations (City and Guilds) can add units into the database. Once in the database, the units can be used to build rules of combination to develop qualifications and submit these for accreditation. Once accredited the qualification is made available to learners. The awarding Organisation (City and Guilds) are then responsible for approving centres (Intrinsic Training Solutions) to deliver thequalifications and carry out the assessments of the units and awarding credits and qualifications. The Awarding Organisation then have the responsibility to maintain quality assurance.

The qualifications are work-related, competence-based qualifications. The contents reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively, and show that an individual is competent in the job role they work in. 

The qualification cannot fail an individual. They will either be competent at the task required or not yet competent. There is no in between i.e. not very competent or nearly competent. Competency is assessed no exams are involved.

Attending the traditional training course which completes with an exam enables the individual to gain a lot of knowledge but at the end is tested on only a limited amount of the knowledge. With an NVQ the individual needs to meet the rrequirements to be deemed competent.

National Occupational Standards

Based on national occupational standards (nos) written by experts in the relevant industry. These standards are statements of performance requirements that describe what competent people in a particular job role are expected to be able to do. They cover all the main aspects of that job role, including:

• current best practice,
• ability to adapt to future requirements
• the knowledge and understanding that underpin competent performance..to do that job

QCFs do have to be completed in a specified amount of time. Currently this is normally an indicated time element which is discussed with each individual.

100% Funding Available?

Funding could be available to everyone meeting the criteria starting a QCF programme with Intrinsic Training Solutions Ltd - "Training to Aid Development".

How Do QCF's Benefit an Organisation?

• Nationally recognised qualification.
• Based on standards of competence written by the industry for the industry - Skills and Knowledge
• Available at different levels from Level 1 for basic operatives to Level 8 which is degree level (see table referring to levels below)
• Sharpens staff skills and improves motivation
• Subjects includes Health & Safety and Hygiene negating the need (saves the cost) to arrange further training in same subjects. 
• Can be used as part of a company's own training requirements.
• Records the requirement of due diligence of training.
• Specific to industry sector's standards and legistlation requirements.
• Forms elements of quality assurance and customer re-assurance procedures.
• Customers place more confidence in suppliers when records show staff meet nationallly recognised structured training standards.
• Records that sucessful structured training has been given in specific areas specified by legislation and requirements of customers.
• Provides training records to meet customer and industry audits and inspections e.g. BRC, EFFIS and BIU.
• Certificates are awarded by internationally recognised awarding bodies. At Intrinsic Training Solutions we are approved by City & Guilds, Meat Training Council and the C.I.E.H.

QCF Level	Explanation of Levels	Who Should Do this Level
Level 1	Level 1 qualification recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability toapply learning with the guidance of Supervision or guidance. Learning at Level 1 is relating everyday working activities to the job to indicate competence.	Recently employed operative. Basic operative level.
Level 2	The Level 2 qualification recogises the ability to gain good job knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work, and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and skills in relation to job tasks and is appropriate for people able to complete man differnt job tasks.	Operatives or employees with different job roles and skills.
Level 3	At this level we recognise the ability to gain and as appropriate apply a range of job knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. This level is appropriate for individuals working indepentantly, or in supervising roles or above training others in their work area.	Senior operatives, Team Leaders, Lineleader, Supervisor or Quality Personnel

How Do QCF Qualifications Benefit Individuals?

• The QCF qualification identifies the units required identifying the title of each one.
• No formal entry requirements as long as learners work in e.g. a Food Manufacture environment.
• Enables everyone to gain recognition for the skills used everday and knowledge of the job used to do their job.
• The QCF is achieved through the demonstration of an individuals skill and knowledge showing how well they do the job.  
• The QCF certificate is accepted within Industry as a bona fida qualification indicating competence.
• Can be used as part of personal CV.
• Certificate presented on completion to each individual.

What Skills will be Recognised?

The QCF is completed through completing units (subjects) about the jobs and skills - procedures and practises  used everyday in the job.

• *Maintain Personal Hygiene Standards in Food Manufacturing
• *Operate Safely in Food Manufacturing
• *Work Effectively in Food Manufacturing
• *Contribute to Improvements in Food Manufacture
• *Carry Out & Finish Transfer of Materials in Food Manufacture

*More units available rules of contribution apply.

How is the Programme Delivered?

The QCF is delivered mostly on the job by our qualified Assessor on your site. Learners work with the Assessor to build evidence in their own portfolio which will be theirs to keep on completion. The Assessor works with individuals once a fortnight for about an hour to enable regular progress to ensure completion within 9 months.

What will it Cost Me?

We are able to offer access to 100% Government funding for NVQ at Level 2. This is  subject to an individual meeting the funding eligibility criteria. Should an individual not meet the funding criteria a contribution may be required.

What Progression is possible on Completion?

Having completed Level 2 in Food Industry Skills Level 3 is available.

As an alternative a second Level 2 in Business Improvement Techniques may be available.

Please contact Philip Wadsworth at Intrinsic Training Solutions Ltd telephone 01536 521024.