Frequently Asked Questions
What does QCF mean?
QCF stands for Qualifications Credit Framework. It's the new framework for creating and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
By becoming more responsive to the demands of learners and employers, these new qualifications are more relevant to employers’ needs and more accessible to a wider range of learners than the NVQs that they have replaced.
QCF qualifications are designed with the help of employers so learners can be assured that they're gaining skills that meet employers’ needs.
What is a QCF Award, Certificate or Diploma?
The qualifications in the QCF are divided into three categories; awards, certificates and diplomas. Every unit in the QCF will have a credit value and one credit equals 10 hours, this shows the learner how much time is needed to complete a particular course. Each unit will also have a level ranging between the entry level and level 8. The levels represent how difficult the course is:
• Awards (1 to 12 credits)
• Certificates (13 to 36 credits)
• Diplomas (37 credits or more)
The qualification type (Award, Certificate, Diploma) represents the size of a qualification, not level of difficulty. Each QCF qualification title contains the following:
• the level of the qualification (Level 1 to 8)
• the size of qualification, (award, certificate or diploma)
• the content of the qualification (the subject).
How are QCF Qualifications Achieved?
Like the old NVQs, QCF qualifications focus is on the workplace skills and allow learners to demonstrate that they have the skill, ability and knowledge to do their job to industry standards. Units of the QCF are completed through portfolio work and practical assessment in the workplace. There are also units that cover knowledge and these can be covered by assignments set and marked by the assessor.
Learners build a portfolio of evidence to prove they have the competence to meet the QCF standards. Assessors sign off units when achieved by checking the learners knowledge, understanding and work-based performance to make sure they can demonstrate competence.
What are Skills for Life Qualifications?
Skills for Life qualifications are designed to help you develop the skills you use in everyday life, such as writing, reading, or maths. Skills for Life qualifications are available in:
• adult literacy
• adult numeracy
• information and communications technology (ICT)
What are Awarding Bodies?
The awarding bodies were originally known as examination boards. They approve assessment centres and provide external verifiers who ensure that all learners are fairly and consistently assessed. Awarding Bodies provide the certificates for units achieved and for full qualifications.
What are Apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships provide work-based learning to enable people of any age to learn, build their skills and gain qualifications whilst working. Apprenticeships are not a single qualification, they are a package of several required qualifications. An Apprenticeship consists of a QCF Certificate or Diploma (previously NVQ), a Technical Certificate (as required) & Key Skills or Functional Skills. For further information go to our Apprenticeship pages or click here to check out the website dedicated to Apprenticeships.
How Long Does An Apprenticeship Take?
An Apprenticeship will usually take anything from 12 to 24 months but there is no set time to complete an Apprenticeship as they vary widely in content and size. One of our Advisors will agree with you an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) and the length of time agreed will depend on your own experience in the job and your employer’s requirements.
What are Key Skills?
Key Skills are the types of skills that employers look for when recruiting and promoting people. They are also important in your personal life. Key Skills Units include Application of Number, Communication and Information Technology. As part of an Apprenticeship, Key Skills can be achieved at different levels of difficulty from Level 1 to Level 3.
What are Functional Skills?
Functional Skills will eventually replace Key Skills in Apprenticeships. They include Mathematics, English and Information Technology. As part of an Apprenticeship, Functional Skills can be achieved at different levels of difficulty from Level 1 to Level 3.
What is a Technical Certificate?
A Technical Certificate is a knowledge based qualification that is specific to the job that you are doing and aimed at the level at which you are currently working. With the introduction of the new QCF Certificates and Diplomas, many Apprenticeship frameworks have removed the need for a technical certificate, as the knowledge aspects are now fully covered in the QCF qualification.
How do I know if funding is available?
Many of our learning programmes are supported by funding from the government, for more information click here.
How will I know what qualification is suitable for me?
If you're unsure about exactly what type of qualification you should take one of our trained Advisors will help you to decide. They will give you advice and guidance to help you to access the right course for you and together you will agree an Individual Learning Plan.
What does Work Based Learning mean?
Usually this means that the assessor comes to you in your place of work and helps you to put together your portfolio of evidence to prove your competence in your job. Your assessor will observe you in your own working environment and at a time that suits you and your employer.
How do I find out more about the training you offer?
That is easy. Simply call our general enquiry number 01752 505020 or Contact us via this website.
What does 'equality and diversity' mean?
Equality is the current term for ‘Equal Opportunities’. It is based on the legal obligation to comply with anti-discrimination legislation. Equality protects people from being discriminated against on the grounds of group membership i.e. sex, race disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, or age.
Diversity implies a wide range of conditions and characteristics. it is about valuing the best of people’s talents whatever their backgrounds. Diversity encompasses visible and non-visible individual differences. It can be seen in terms of gender, ethnic minorities, disabled people etc., Diversity is about respecting individual differences, and people's differences can be many and varied:
Race, Culture, National origin, Region, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Age, Marital Status, Politics, Religion, Ethnicity, Disability, Socio-economic differences, Family structure, Health, Values, and more. Embracing equality and diversity brings to an organisation a wide range of experience, ideas and creativity whilst giving the individual employee a feeling of being empowered to work to their full potential.
What does safeguarding mean?
Safeguarding is defined as physical, mental, emotional, sexual, verbal abuse and neglect.
TD is committed to protect its learners from all aspects of abuse and takes all incidents extremely seriously. If you feel you have had experience of a safeguarding issue during your stay with ATD, please make sure you report it to your line manager or Assessor. All incidents will be treated with the utmost confidence.
What do I do if I have a safeguarding concern?
There is always someone who can give you advice or signpost you to someone more qualified to deal with it so please speak to your line manager or Assessor for further help.
If you do not think that either would be appropriate, you can always phone or text the Acacia Training lead for safeguarding, Linda Okuniewska at the following number 07834 481538.
What do I do if I am being bullied?
Bullying is a very serious matter. It can take the form of being shouted at, being called names. Some people are not even aware they are bullying you but may think of it as a joke.
If they do not stop when you ask them to, or if you don’t feel able to point it out to them, please discuss it with your line manager or Assessor who will guide you in the appropriate action to take.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is behaviour that takes place through technology via mobile phone or through the internet. It can include unwanted messages via email, text and instant message services and also images posted on web pages which are intended to hurt, embarrass or intimidate another person. Like any other form of bullying, the impact of cyberbullying can be devastating to the victim, who may not even know who is targeting them. Anyone suffering from cyberbullying can seek advice from many websites – see the ATD learner handbook for further information.