12/02/2014
What is QCF? (The New NVQ)
(As of October 2015, QCF is no longer in use, please check out our latest qualifications blog: What is RQF - the new QFC?)
Are you confused about the new name of the NVQ? (National Vocational Qualification) Well, this article will tell you all you need to know about the new QCF (Qualification and Credit Frame) and how it can benefit you now it has replaced NVQ courses.
The QCF mark system breaks down like this:
You start by earning credits, and each credit takes about ten hours of learning to complete. Credits then build up to units, with different courses needing a different amount of credits to gain a unit. Units then build up to qualifications.
There are three different awards you can achieve when completing a QCF. To achieve an 'Award' level QCF you need 1-12 credits to get this qualification; this is the lowest qualification you can achieve. Next is the 'Certificate' level QCF which you need between 13-36 credits to achieve; this is the second highest qualification you can get. Lastly is a 'Diploma' level QCF which you would need to complete over 37 credits to achieve. It doesn't matter which qualification you take or complete the quality of the work will then be marked from the entry level 1 going up to level 8 to give your work a suitable mark for the employers to look at.

Apprenticeship in Business Admin or Team Leading
QCF has been put in place so qualifications are more flexible and easier to complete. The main advantage for the QCF is that people who have full time work can still manage to learn a qualification at the same time! This is pretty handy for people in that situation. It is also very helpful for people who are unemployed as it means you can job hunt and attend interviews anytime of the day which will give you the best chance of getting a job. Or if you do a QCF with Twin, our dedicated team will find you a job to match the qualification you are working towards.
Another benefit of the new unit system on a QFC is when a credit you have completed for a unit is in a new unit you are working towards, as it counts towards that as well. So, if you have done a unit once, it's done. Regardless of how many credits require that specific unit. This means you won't be wasting your time learning the same thing over and over again.
Another reason why the QCF scheme has been put in place is so you and your employer know exactly what you need to work on to complete your qualification, so you won't waste time learning things you don't need for your job. This also means that all the learning you do will make you better at your job, which makes it more likely that you will keep that job and gain a promotion in the future.

Apprenticeship in Child Care
So as you can see, QCF is here to make it easier for you to get a job, and foremployers to understand how you can become an important member of their company. It will give you a much better understanding about what you want to achieve, how you can achieve it and who you can achieve it with, which means you won't be stuck in a dead end job with no hope of progressing.
At Twin we believe that QCF is a fantastic new way for helping everyone get onto the job ladder and progress their careers and it will be hugely successful now and in the future. The QCF is ideal for a 18-24yr olds to get new qualifications and a job at the same time, so what are you waiting for? Enhance your career prospects and start earning by applying for a QCF course.
We hope this article has helped you understand what a QCF is and why it is such a brilliant opportunity for you.
For more information on qualifications you can contact our friendly team. Alternatively, if you want some support and advice for choosing a course that is right for you, find out how we can help you get back into education.