Family Learning 1st February 2011 Katy Burns Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW

Recognising learning and skills? Adults and families participate in activities that teach them new knowledge or skills Much of this is not recognised – even when that recognition might be useful –To get a job or new role or responsibilities –To gain the confidence or motivation to learn more or do something new Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 2

The Credit & Qualification Framework for Wales? A framework that has the scope to recognise all learning and training in Wales However it is achieved – classroom based, work based, distance learning, on-line or hobby based Whoever delivers it – schools, colleges, community education, employers, libraries, museums, arts, higher education & voluntary bodies Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 3

Credit & Qualification Framework for Wales (CQFW) Provides a common format for all post-16 learning The format defines the learning or training clearly All learning or training is constructed from one or more units Units can be used to build training sessions, courses, qualifications and degrees Units are formally recognised and the learner is awarded credit for the units and qualifications they achieve Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 4

Unit structure –Title of the unit –Level defines the relative demand, complexity, depth of learning and learner autonomy –Credit value is size of the unit (1 credit = 10 hours learning) –Learning outcomes defines what the learner will be able to do, know or understand (unit content) –Assessment criteria defines how the learner will demonstrate that they have achieved the learning outcomes (standards to achieve unit) Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 5

CQFW Units are the building brick of all learning and training Units exist in three main categories of learning or training Qualifications are defined by specific combinations of units designed to meet the needs of organisations, employers and the wider job and economic market Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 6

What is CQFW? Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 7 All learning constructed from units with -Name -Level -Credit Value -Outcomes -Assessment

Qualification & Credit Framework (QCF) Architecture Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 8

How CQFW works (Source: City and Guilds) Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 9 School / College Employer / WBL Awarding organisations Units & Qualification Banked credit New credit New credit New credit New credit

What this offers the learner Opportunity to learn or train in a way that meets their own needs and the demands on them Can achieve a combination of knowledge, understanding and skills to meet specific needs Have recognition for their commitment to learning or training throughout their life Accumulate units towards qualifications over a period of time Have recognition for skills and knowledge that they already have through Recognition of Prior Learning Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 10

How do we record achievement? A Unique Learner Number (ULN) will be allocated to all post-14 learners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland Allows learners to build a lifelong record of their learning participation and achievements, which they can access and choose to share Around 11 million learners already have a ULN Over 6,000 providers are registered with the Service Each learner will have a Personal Learning Record of their achievements from information provided by the Awarding Organisations Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 11

What’s happening in Wales? Over 180,000+ learners in Wales have a ULN The ULN is the enabler for initiatives including the Welsh Baccalaureate, QCF and CQFW, including QALL. All Further Education Colleges in Wales are getting ULNs for learners from this September. Adult Community Learning and Work Based Learning organisations in Wales are starting to use the service. A solution is being developed by DCELLS for schools in Wales to obtain ULNs Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 12

How are we working with ACL? ACL Working Groups Local Authority ACL managers FE ACL Managers Wider adult education and training sectors – TUC, Arts sector, housing associations, Museums, Libraries & Archives, CyMAL, WVCA, BTVC, Youth Sector, Communities First etc. Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 13

CQFW Opportunities Potential Opportunities: –Design multiple entry and exit points into learning –New routes into and through qualifications –Flexible ‘bite size’ learning –Engage in a new way with employers by: Providing award of QCF units that meet training needs Accrediting their own training using QALL Providing Recognition of Prior Learning to recognise work place skills Working in partnership with employers, AOs and SSCs to develop new CQFW units / qualifications 14 Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW

Quality Assured Lifelong Learning Potential uses and benefits of QALL recognise and measure all adult learning and training measure skills in the workforce or of adults seeking to return to work boost confidence by acquiring QALL units as a route into QCF reduce the duplication of training through accreditation give value to training days that employees may not value or resent as time away from their work, encouraging a positive attitude to training assess the impact of training on performance meet employers’ training needs and giving the employee recognition that can be taken forward into further training and / or qualifications measure the level and scope of learning or training particularly that in the workplace and a basis for raising its quality and value for money - and participating in this project has identified other implications for workforce Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 15

Recognition of Prior Learning RPL giving recognition through award of units or qualifications for skills, knowledge or understanding that employees or learners have and thus enables economic mobility and aids employment avoids duplication of training gives entry to learning at the right level builds confidence in having skills recognised Use of RPL in the UK is underdeveloped But we can learn from examples of effective use of RPL from other countries CollegesWales is leading on a pilot project and will inform policy recommendations Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 16

Recognition of Prior Learning Some of the initial indications: –Success relies on the quality, scope and currency of evidence –Three stage pilot process consists of induction, mentoring and assessment with feed-back at each stage from all involved –Needs collective involvement – candidate, line manager, mentor, assessor, verifier and AO – Can be formative – recording experience or summative – giving award of credit Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 17

CQFW Thank you – Any questions? Contact details Katy Burns - FL Feb 1 11 CQFW 18