 What is the QCF?
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The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a credit-based qualifications framework, allowing a unit-based approach to building qualifications. All vocational qualifications will be placed on the QCF.
The QCF will replace the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by December 2010 for all vocational qualifications. This means the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) will approve qualifications on the QCF on behalf of employers.
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| Why has the QCF been developed?
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The QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) is a new way of recognising skills and qualifications. It does this by awarding credit for units (small steps of learning), enabling learners to gain qualifications at their own pace along flexible routes.
The QCF has four main aims: 1. To ensure a wider range of achievements can be recognised within a more inclusive qualifications framework 2. To establish a qualifications system that is more responsive to individual and employer needs 3. To establish a simpler qualifications framework that is easier for all users to understand 4. To reduce the burden of bureaucracy in the accreditation and assessment of qualifications. For more information, please visit the QCF page of the website.
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| How do I gain Edexcel centre approval to offer NVQ/BTEC/QCF qualifications?
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An account manager will contact you to discuss your requirements and take you through the approval process.
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| How long will the Edexcel centre approval process take?
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The Edexcel centre approval process can be completed within six to eight weeks. However, if you have existing NVQ centre approval with another awarding body, the timescale for the approval process can be significantly reduced.
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| How do I expand my centre's current NVQ portfolio?
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Existing NVQ centres wishing to offer additional NVQ qualifications can apply via Edexcel Online.
You can gain online approval if:
1. You are an approved NVQ centre through Edexcel with live registrations and current approvals
2. You have been externally verified for NVQs in the past 12 months
3. You have no level 3 or higher level sanctions
4. The programme you wish to gain approval for is not excluded from online approvals.
Excluded sectors include care, health, children’s learning and development, and achieving excellence in sport and construction. To seek approval for these NVQs, centres must submit the NVQ QA form with supporting documents as listed on the application form.
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| How do I expand my centre's current BTEC portfolio?
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Existing BTEC centres wishing to offer additional BTECs or qualifications at a lower level than their current approved programmes can apply via Edexcel Online.
You can gain online approval if:
1. You have successfully been through the external verification process for your first BTEC programme
2. The programme you wish to gain approval for is not
excluded from online approvals.
Excluded sectors include children’s learning and development, security qualifications, pilots and customised qualifications.
Centres must submit the BTEC QA form with supporting documents as listed on the application form.
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| We are an existing approved NVQ centre with another awarding body. However, we now wish to move our NVQ qualifications to Pearson Work Based Learning. How do we gain approval with Pearson Work Based Learning?
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We can give you accelerated approval based on your existing approval with the other awarding body. An account manager will explain the paperwork you need to complete. You will also need to provide a copy of your original approval letter from the other awarding body and a copy of your last external verification reports for the NVQ you are transferring to Pearson.
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| What is a Centre Approval Visit?
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Once your NVQ centre approval (CA) forms have been received, we will assess your ability to offer the specific programme requested and arrange for a Centre Approval Officer to perform a centre approval visit. The purpose of this visit is to ensure you have all the necessary systems and paperwork in place before enrolling your learners onto the programme. These visits will only take place for centres that are not already approved with Pearson or another awarding body.
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| What will the Centre Approval Officer expect to see during their visit?
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The Centre Approval Offer will check your physical resources as well as policies and procedures, as detailed on the NVQ Centre Approval form. You will be sent an agenda before the visit.
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| How much does centre and qualification approval cost?
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We do not charge for centre or qualification approvals. You simply pay one fee per learner when you register them to any qualification. This fee varies for each qualification. Please contact your account manager for further information.
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| Are there any centre or qualification renewal fees?
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No, there are no centre or qualification renewal fees.
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| Once I become an approved centre, how do I register my learners?
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Learners are registered via the Edexcel registration and certification system, Edexcel Online. This system is accessed through the internet and is available 23 hours per day. Full guidance on registering learners and claiming certificates will be provided upon approval.
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| We work with employers who want to accredit their own training. Can you help?
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Yes, we can. Pearson can offer you a service which would validate a company’s training programme and offer you a variety of options such as the inclusion of awarding body, centre and employer logos. We could even work with you to accredit qualifications on to the QCF.
Please speak to your Pearson WBL representative.
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| I am interested in offering Apprenticeships. Where can I find out more?
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Centres interested in offering Apprenticeships with Edexcel need to seek approval for each of the Apprenticeships they wish to deliver. Information on the qualifications in each framework can be found in the Apprenticeships section of the website.
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| How can Edexcel help with our Apprenticeships?
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We are able to offer a very wide range of Apprenticeships across numerous sectors and with a comprehensive support package. This support will include dedicated materials to help learners deliver the programme, a single registration process for all components, a choice of online or portfolio assessment for most Technical Certificates and a 'joined-up' approach to Standards Verification.
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| Who can undertake an NVQ?
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NVQs are available to adults and young people. You can study for an NVQ if you are employed or are studying at college, and have a part-time job or access to a work placement. You can also take an NVQ qualification at level 2 or 3 as part of an Apprenticeship framework. In some cases, you can also undertake a NVQ if you are at school.
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| How long does it take to achieve an NVQ?
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NVQ programmes can take any length of time from 12 weeks onwards to achieve. The average length is six to eight months.
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| Where can we seek funding assistance from?
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| When will I be invoiced?
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Invoices are generated automatically once a registration has been made and are sent out on a weekly basis. You can track invoices via Edexcel Online.
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| How do I claim for a learner's certificate?
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NVQ and BTEC programme claims should only be made when centres have been given authority to do so by their Standardsl Verifier. All claims should be made through Edexcel Online.
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| Once I have claimed for a learner's certificate, when can I expect it to arrive?
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Through Edexcel Online, we guarantee that once a successful certificate claim has been made, your learners' certificates will be in your centre within 10 working days. (Certificate claims are dependent on your centre having direct claim status where relevant).
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| How much will a replacement certificate cost?
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We do not always charge for a replacement certificate – it depends on the circumstances and timing of the request. Please speak with your Pearson account manager for more information.
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| How do I find details of my Standards Verifier?
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Details of your centre's Standards Verifier can be obtained via Edexcel Online.
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| How many NVQ external verification visits will my centre receive?
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Centres normally receive two NVQ standards verification visits per year, though further visits can be arranged at cost.
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| Can I recruit students from abroad to study an NVQ programme, or will they have to be employed and living in the UK?
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Learners undertaking an NVQ must be employed within England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Learners employed outside of these parameters are classed as international learners and must be registered at a centre in their own country. All NVQs must be delivered, assessed and internally verified in English or Welsh.
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| How do NVQs compare with other vocational qualifications such as BTECs?
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NVQs (QCF competence-based qualifications) measure skills that are directly relevant to a work role. They are competence-based and measure whether a person can carry out the work to a defined national standard of current best practice.
In contrast, BTECs are taught programmes. They offer a mix of theory and practice, and can also include an element of work experience. Some BTEC short courses are recognised as technical certificates, one of the components of an Apprenticeship.
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| What training courses are available for Work Based Learning centres?
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We now have a wide range of training courses that will help your staff and learners develop their careers, as well as your business. Find out more about training here |
| Are there other wider benefits of working with Edexcel?
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Yes, many! We can support your centre in co-operative marketing opportunities, develop customised support material for your employers, provide expert advice on funding, offer bespoke training on your employers' or centre's premises and suggest practical ways of cutting down administration through the innovative use of IT.
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