Benefits for learners
One of the key features of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is the introduction of an IT infrastructure that can record and track individual achievement by providing each learner with a:
- Unique Learner Number (ULN) – a 10 digit number kept for life and used whenever taking a unit of learning
- Personal Learning Record (PLR) – a web-based record of achievement showing units gained and the associated credit accumulated
The new IT infrastructure will enable candidates to:
- Track their completed units and chart their path to completing a full qualification
- Identify progression routes to further achievements in a simple, user friendly, online environment
- Provide definitive proof of their educational achievements to employers and other third parties
- Transfer credit across qualifications to avoid having to repeat learning unnecessarily
- Build up and combine credits specific to their needs and interests
Benefits for ILM Centres
Centres offering ILM VRQs or our new ILM management NVQs benefit from:
- Increased flexibility to deliver accredited programmes to suit the specific needs of individuals and employers
- Improved learner retention and progression rates – through the new unitised format of learning which recognises smaller steps of achievement more frequently
- The ability to track learner achievement by accessing Personal Learning Records
Benefits for employers
Employers can find it hard to understand the many different types, sizes and levels of qualification that learners hold. The QCF enables employers to:
- Measure quickly the level and size of achievements of prospective employees
- Describe levels of achievement in terms everyone can understand
- Choose training options that closely match business and employee needs
The Centre's role in the QCF
ILM Centres have an important role to play in ensuring their learners achieve credit.