OCN NI

1
OCN NI Qualification and Credit Framework
Since 1993 we have registered 200,000 learners in
credit based courses
2
Aims of Presentation

• Background to OCNNI
• Why accredit programmes
• The Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF)
• OCNNI and the Qualifications and Credit
  Framework
• How to offer OCNNI qualifications and units

3
National Open College Network

• NOCN IS
• The UKs foremost provider of accreditation
  services for adult learning and credit-based
  learning
• Recognised as an Awarding Body and accredited
  by the Regulatory Authorities in England, Wales
  and Northern Ireland
• NOCN provides national qualifications and
  courses in a wide range of subject areas and
  offers a local accreditation service, through its
  regional offices.
• NOCN has extensive experience in credit based
  learning (10 hour blocks of learning) on which
  the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
  is based

4
Open College Network - NI

• Licensed by NOCN we offer nationally recognised,
  flexible, credit-based qualifications - locally
  and nationally accredited
• Since 1993 we have registered 200,000 learners in
  credit based courses
• We provide
• Innovative new products in the Qualification and
  Credit Framework (QCF)
• Quality assured accredited learning
• Expertise in credit developments and associated
  learning materials
• Opportunities to expand your current provision
• A comprehensive programme of training to support
  delivery
• Prompt, efficient and friendly service

5
Why Accredit Programmes

• Quality assure learning and development
• Motivates learners and trainers
• Benchmarks programmes nationally or locally
• Provides a systematic approach to learning and
  development
• Provides pathways for development of learners and
  trainers
• Enables continuous improvement of learning and
  development

6
The Qualification and Credit Framework

• Credit-based system very similar to OCNNI, based
  on small blocks of learning - credits (10,20 30
  hours of learning)
• These credits can better recognise learning
  occurring in diverse settings e.g. workplaces,
  volunteering
• Credits can be awarded on their own or as part of
  qualifications
• All adult and vocational is migrating to this
  credit based learning by 2010 with all learning
  integrated by 2013

7
The Qualification and Credit Framework

• Key features of the QCF
• Awards, Certificates and Diplomas from entry
  level to level 8 conform to criteria for number
  of credits each should have
• Qualifications are designed to facilitate
  progression to higher levels
• Learners can use credits towards multiple
  qualifications
• Learners can use credits from a range of
  providers to construct their learning pathway
• Learners will be credited for previous learning
  and not have to repeat similar learning

8
The Qualification and Credit Framework

• Structure of QCF Qualifications

9
The Qualification and Credit Framework

• Key initiatives linked to the QCF
• Learners will have a Unique Learner Number (ULN)
  that will capture all credits and qualifications
  attained by an individual
• There will be the ability of a wider range of
  bodies such as employers to become Awarding
  Bodies (accrediting curriculum) or Unit
  Submitters (submitting curriculum to be
  nationally recognised) in their own right

10
OCNNI and the QCF

• How OCNNI is implementing the QCF
• The OCF is similar to OCNNIs credit based
  learning system no major changes required to
  how learners and providers use OCNNI
• The only noticeable change will be that our
  existing National Qualifications will have a
  different number of credits required e.g.
  Progression Qualifications
• OCNNI will become a Unit Submitter i.e.
  accredit learning directly on national basis as
  well as a local basis

11
OCNNI and the QCF

• How OCNNI is implementing the QCF
• The OCF is similar to OCNNIs credit based
  learning system no major changes required to
  how learners and providers use OCNNI
• The only noticeable change will be that our
  existing National Qualifications will have a
  different number of credits required e.g.
  Progression Qualifications
• OCNNI will become a Unit Submitter i.e.
  accredit learning directly on national basis as
  well as a local basis

12
OCNNI and the QCF
Comparison of older Progression Qualifications to
QCF version
13
OCNNI and the QCF

• How OCNNI is assisting organisations implement
  the QCF
• Series of workshops to inform centres of changes
  and providing support to centres to migrate their
  learning programs to the QCF
• Focus on engaging with employers to develop
  opportunities to accredit learning occurring in
  the workplace
• Working with centres and employers when OCNNI has
  attained Unit Submitter status to accredit
  programs nationally
• Trialling key features of QCF e.g. Unique Learner
  Number, accrediting existing workplace learning
  under the QCF

14
OCNNI and the QCF

• How OCNNI is assisting organisations implement
  the QCF
• Series of workshops to inform centres of changes
  and providing support to centres to migrate their
  learning programs to the QCF
• Focus on engaging with employers to develop
  opportunities to accredit learning occurring in
  the workplace
• Working with centres and employers when OCNNI has
  attained Unit Submitter status to accredit
  programs nationally
• Trialling key features of QCF e.g. Unique Learner
  Number, accrediting existing workplace learning
  under the QCF

15
The Process of Certifying Students Through
Approved OCNNI Centres to Access QCF
Qualifications
Learning
Assessment / Evidence

Internal Verification
Certification
Standardisation
16
Offering OCNNI Qualifications and Units

• Become an approved centre
• Have Assessors and Internal verifiers trained (
  2-3 hours each)
• Select existing or accredit new courses
• Enrol students through an OCNNI approved centre
• Deliver the learning so that evidence can be
  collected by the assessor and verified variety
  of methods e.g. video
• Certify students

17
Learning Programmes offered by OCNNI

• OCNNI offers a range of nationally and locally
  accredited programmes
• Offering QCF Qualifications now to replace older
  qualifications
• OCNNI will have the ability to accredit bespoke
  learning locally will have the ability to
  accredit nationally in the near future
• OCNNI can support employers with accrediting
  their existing workplace learning or source new
  learning and development content and systems
• OCNNI can offer learning and development programs
  across all major industry sectors

18
Summary

• Background to OCNNI
• Why accredit programmes
• The Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF)
• OCNNI and the Qualifications and Credit
  Framework
• How to offer OCNNI qualifications and units

19
THANK YOU For further information contact
OCNNI on Tel[phone] Mob[phone] Email
smccormick_at_ocnni.org.uk Web www.ocnni.org.uk