Support and Resources

This page contains documents that relate to the LSC's work on the UK's Vocational Qualificatons Reform Programme (UK VQRP), in particular the implementation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Programme.

Latest publications

QCF and the Personal Learning Record fact sheet
Published 11 March 2010

This fact sheet presents a high-level overview of the changes being made to the Managing Information Across Partners (MIAP) Personal Learning Record to support the additional services around credit accumulation and transfer for the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), together with the benefits this will offer. This fact sheet is aimed at learners, providers, advisers, awarding organisations and other stakeholders interacting with the QCF and the Personal Learning Record.

Managing the transition from NQF to QCF
Published 3 March 2010

This paper sets out the proposed approach to managing down publicly funded vocational National Qualifications Framework provision and ensuring a smooth transition to publicly funded Qualifications and Credit Framework provision for post 19 learners in England.

QCF Qualifications Confirmed for Public Funding
Created 24 February 2010

This web page will hold the list of qualifications within the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) that have been confirmed as appropriate for public funding in Adult Learner Responsive and Train to Gain for the remainder of 2009/10 and 2010/11. In order to ensure providers have ready access to lists of accredited QCF qualifications confirmed for funding, this ‘live’ list will be updated on a regular basis through the transition period (February – December 2010).

LSC Policy Update: Issue 4.1 (February 2010)
Published 24 February 2010

This Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Policy Update is a revised verions of Policy Update Issue 4, which was published in December 2009.

LSC QCF Policy Update: Issue 4 (December 2009)
Published 18 December 2009

This Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Policy Update is the fourth in a series of regular communications from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) which highlight key areas of work and progress with regard to LSC’s remit to implement the QCF across the post-19 further education and skills system. These updates also encompass appropriate aspects of wider Vocational Qualification (VQ) Reform. In addition, the updates contain information on progress, ongoing development and implementation of the QCF Service Layer which, along with policy and business change work, constitutes the programme of work of LSC to deliver VQ Reform and the QCF.

Qualification Journey
Published 11 December 2009

This note describes the process, organisations and timescales involved in an accredited qualification acquiring approval and funding information and being published on the Learning Aims Database (LAD). It is intended to provide short-term information on the current organisation and processes, pre-April 2010, when efficiencies, improvements and regulatory changes will alter the current business. The intended audience for this note are further education stakeholders particularly providers and awarding organisations, to understand how the different teams within the LSC are involved in the process (and particularly the difference between the Section 96 and Section 97 processes).

Provider Guidance: Full Level 2 QCF Qualifications
Published 26 November 2009

This note is to confirm that the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) now has final Ministerial agreement to complete the loading onto the Learning Aims Database (LAD) of existing Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) qualifications confirmed by Sector Skills Councils, Standard Setting Bodies and Sector Bodies (SSCs/SSBs/SBs) as target bearing (full) Level 2.

Vocational Qualifications Reform: Information for Providers
Published 20 October 2009

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills has produced for providers the leaflet Vocational Qualifications: Information for Providers, which outlines how the vocational qualifications system is changing in England to meet the country’s current and future skills needs.

LSC QCF Funding Fact sheet
Published 12 October 2009

Find out what you need to know about how the LSC is funding the Qualifications and Credit Framework.

LSC Key QCF Questions and Answers
Published 18 September 2009

The first edition of the LSC QCF question and answer document. This document sets out detailed responses to the various questions that stakeholders may have on how LSC is taking forward QCF implementation, primarily around the design and delivery of the Service Layer and how we are ensuring that planning, funding and performance are aligned to the QCF. It also provides contact details for the service desk and links to web based materials and support.

Full Level 3 Guidance for Sector Skills Councils
Published 28 August 2009

This guidance has been developed to assist Sector Skills Councils (SSCs)/Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs)/Sector Bodies (SBs) when setting full Level 3 threshold for their sector, sub-sectors and occupations, and to identify key considerations that will need to be taken into account when designing new full Level 3 qualifications in the QCF.

LSC Qualifications and Credit Framework Unit Funding Trials Update
Published 31 July 2009

This list of units available in the Adult Learner Responsive Unit Funding trials follows a recent review of the previously identified list of units to be included in the unit funding trials which was published in December 2008. This follows on from the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) unit funding trials signaled in the LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 – Principles, Rules and Regulations (paragraphs 268 to 275), which was originally published in April 2008.

Vocational Qualifications Reform - Qualifications and Credit Framework: Unit Funding Trials 2008/09 - 2009/10
Adult Learner Responsive Model Arrangements
Published 31 July 2009

This briefing note provides further details of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) unit funding trials signaled in the LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 – Principles, Rules and Regulations (paragraphs 268 to 275), which was originally published in April 2008.

LSC QCF Policy Updates

LSC QCF Policy Update: Issue 3 (June 2009)
Published 6 July 2009

This document is concerned with progress towards the wider QCF implementation across publicly funded learning and skills provision in England. It confirms the final list of ineligible qualifications for 2009/10 and contain the first full listing of QCF vocatational qualification which the LSC will fund (including QCF full Level 2 and full Level 3 ) drawn from sector organisations Sector Qualifications Strategies Action Plans.

LSC QCF Policy Update: Issue 2 (April 2009)
Published 30 April 2009

This document is concerned with progress towards the wider QCF implementation across publicly funded learning and skills provision in England. It provides an update on what changes will be made to planning, funding and performance arrangements for 2009/10. It also recaps on the direction of travel for 2010/11. In addition, this document starts to set out where changes will occur in LSC programme delivery as a result of the implementation of QCF and the timescales for these changes.

LSC QCF Policy Update: Issue 1 (January 2009)
Published 21 January 2009

Full Level 3 QCF Qualifications

Briefing Notes

Full Level 3: Guidance for Awarding Organisations
Published 15 June 2009

This guidance has been developed to assist Awarding Organisations to understand the criteria Sector Skills Councils (SSCs)/Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs)/Sector Bodies (SBs) will use when setting full Level 3threshold for their sector, sub-sectors and occupations, and to identify key considerations that will need to be taken into account when designing new full Level 3 qualifications in the QCF.

Full Level 3: Guidance for Sector Skills Councils (SSCS), Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs) and Sector Bodies (SBs)
Published 15 June 2009

This guidance is for Sector Skills Councils (SSC’s), Standard Setting Bodies (SSB’s) and Sector Bodies (SB’s). It is intended that this guidance will help SSCs, SSBs and SBs in their new role in setting the full Level 3 threshold for their sector, sub-sectors and occupations.

Full Level 3: Guidance for Providers
Published 15 June 2009

This guidance is intended to update providers with regard to the interim full Level 3 definition agreed for the QCF and the process by which Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs) and Sector Bodies (SBs) will identify and confirm full Level 3 qualifications for their sectors in the QCF. SSCs/SSBs/SBs have a new role setting the full Level 3 threshold for their sector, sub-sectors and occupations. This guidance is intended to identify the key considerations that will be taken into account when designing and confirming new full Level 3 qualifications in the QCF.

Interim Definition for Full Level 3 QCF Qualifications
Published 10 June 2009

This is a briefing note on the new interim definition of the Full Level 3 in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The interim definition of Full Level 3 supports the implementation of the QCF.

Full Level 2 QCF Qualifications

Briefing Notes

Interim Definition for full Level 2 QCF Qualifications - Guidance for Sector Skills Councils
Published 20 July 2009

This is the current and definitive version of guidance produced by the LSC for determining full Level 2 in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). This guidance has been revised and amended following feedback from SSCs/SBs/SSBs through the process of identifying full Level 2 for the QCF, including the Fullness Working Group a sub-group to the SLAQ Board.

Full Level 2: Guidance for Awarding Organisations
Published 27 March 2009

This guidance has been developed to assist Awarding Organisations to understand the criteria Sector Skills Councils (SSCs)/Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs)/Sector Bodies (SBs) will use when setting full Level 2 threshold for their sector, sub-sectors and occupations, and to identify key considerations that will need to be taken into account when designing new full Level 2 qualifications in the QCF.

Full Level 2: Guidance for Providers
Published 27 March 2009

This guidance is intended to update providers with regard to the interim full Level 2 definition agreed for the QCF and the process by which Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs) and Sector Bodies (SBs) will identify and confirm full Level 2 qualifications for their sectors in the QCF. SSCs/SSBs/SBs have a new role setting the full Level 2 threshold for their sector, sub-sectors and occupations. This guidance is intended to identify the key considerations that will be taken into account when designing and confirming new full Level 2 qualifications in the QCF.

Interim Definition for Full Level 2 QCF Qualifications
Published 18 December 2008

This is a briefing note on the new interim definitition of the full Level 2 in the Qualifications and Credit Framework

Full Level 2 in QCF
Published 15th November 2007
Update on recent changes to the definition of full Level 2 vocational qualifications in the context of the UK Vocational Qualification Reform Programme (UK VQRP) and the development of the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF).

Eligible and Ineligible Qualifications

Updated List of Ineligible Qualifications for 2009/10
Published 3 July 2009

This is an update of the list of the ineligible qualifications in the Qualifications and Credit Framework, published on 17 December 2008.

List of Ineligible Qualifications for 2009/10
Published 17 December 2008

This list of ineligible qualifications refers to the Aligning Public Funding to Key Qualifications identified by Sector Skills Councils, Sector Bodies and Standard Setting Bodies document below.

Eligible Units for the Adult Learner Responsive funding
Published 5th December 2008

This list of eligible units refers to the Qualifications and Credit Framework Unit Funding Trials 2008/09 - 2009/10 document below.

Supporting Documents

Vocational Qualifications Reform - Qualifications and Credit Framework: Unit Funding Trials 2008/09 - 2009/10
Adult Learner Responsive Model Arrangements
Published 5th December 2008

This briefing note provides further details of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) unit funding trials signaled in the LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 – Principles, Rules and Regulations (paragraphs 268 to 275), which was originally published in April 2008.

Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF): LSC and the QCF
Published 18 December 2008

This document offers an overview of the LSC's responsibilities for the implementation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). This includes delivery of the QCF Service Layer (across England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and wider implementation through funding, planning and performance (England only).

Briefing on Qualifications and Framework Reform
Published 6th November 2008

This paper provides an overview of two key reforms in qualifications; the UK Vocational Qualifications Reform Programme (including the Qualifications and Credit Framework) and the Foundation Learning Tier programme.

This document has been written for an external audience and will be of interest to LSC funded providers and other key LSC stakeholders.

Funding

Aligning Public Funding to Key Qualifications identified by Sector Skills Councils / Sector Bodies / Standard Setting Bodies
Published 17 December 2008

This document outlines the first phase of the work that the LSC has undertaken with the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) and Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), Sector Bodies (SBs) and some Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs) to develop processes to align public funding with vocational qualifications approved by SSCs / SBs / SSBs and identified by SSCs / SBs / SSBs as priorities for public funding. This document follows on from the 2009/10 Annual Statement of Priorities and signals the changes in public funding that will begin from 1 August 2009 for the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) whilst the wider programme of Vocational Qualification Reform continues to be implemented.

Addendum to Statement of Priorities - Aligning Public Funding with Priority Vocational Qualifications in England in 2008/09
Published 11 December 2007

This document provides further details and clarification of the process of progressively aligning funding with the vocational qualifications approved by Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) within the context of their sector qualification strategies, as referenced on Page 28 of the Statement of Priorities, Better skills, Better Jobs, Better lives; November 2007. This document is aimed at all regional and LSC partnership teams and key external stakeholders, particularly providers.

Demand-led Funding and the UK Vocational Qualifications Reform Programme - Sub Programme 3 (Planning, Funding and Delivery of Provision for Learners)
Published 15th July 2008

This Single Equality Impact Assessment (SEIA) encompasses the implementation of demand-led funding in 2008/09 and two elements of UK VQRP Programme 3, namely the reform of funding and performance measures to support the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) and the alignment of public funding to priority vocational qualifications.

The SEIA was was conducted and is published in accordance with the LSC’s Single Equality Scheme and reflects the Council’s statutory duty to prevent discrimination and promote equality and diversity.

Aligning Public Funding with Priority Vocational Qualifications in England in 2008/09 - Update
Published 14 February 2008

This document provides an update to the Addendum to Statement of Priorities - Aligning Public Funding with Priority Vocational Qualifications in England in 2008/09, published in December 2007 (see above).

Updated 26 February 2008
This document has been updated to correct the date quoted in paragraph 3 (d). The paragraph should read:

“From 1 August 2009, the LSC will start to ‘turn-off’ funding for predecessor NQF qualifications and lower priority qualifications. Learners on existing programmes registered before this date will continue to be funded to complete their programmes. Details of the qualifications will be published at the end of summer 2008.”

QCF Test and Trials

LSC Statement on Funding Phase 2 of the QCF Test and Trials (2007/08)
Published 5th September 2007 (originally issued June 2007)

A statement clarifying the approach to funding during the QCF Test and Trials in 2007/08.

List of Approved QCF Tests and Trials for Public Funding
Published 5th September 2007 (originally issued June 2007)

This document provides a list of QCF Test and Trials, from the first and second phase, which are eligible for LSC funding.

QCF Test and Trials - Guidance for Providers on Recording the Participation of Learners on the Individualised Learner Record
Published 7th August 2007

A guidance note on completing the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) has been produced for those providers taking part in the first year of phased implementation in 2007/08.