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Recognised Qualifications

Many opportunities will not lead to qualifications - they are not accredited. For these, the Record of Achievement, from the ILP is important, as it provides for an audit trail, to satisfy the needs of funders - it proves that the activities happened, and their success.

Other opportunities lead to accreditation, through the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) - www.qca.org.uk  and are important to learners and organisations because they:

• Give learners hard evidence of achievement, that is recognised by employers and education and training providers, so opening up progression routes and increasing motivation

• Give organisations credibility with funders and partners, delivers evidence as to efficiency and the degree of added value created, supports staff in moving forwards.

Entry Level Accreditation is by:

• Portfolio building.

• Short tasks.

• Or - assignments (by some awarding bodies).

• Moderation by the awarding body.

Level 2 numeracy and literacy tests are new, and refer to the appropriate levels of the national qualifications framework. They have:

• 40 multiple choice questions.

• Can be done on or off line.

• Are computer marked.

• Have pass or fail grades.

• Issue a certificate to all successful candidates.

• A National Test Toolkit including paper and CD versions of the National tests and information about the Move On approach is available to order from DfES Publications - please quote ref: SFL NTT.

Awarding Bodies administer the system, registering learners, setting tests or other measures of achievement and awarding certificates. They charge for their services and section 6 of the RAP Guide gives more detail.
> RAP guide

For a list of awarding bodies go to:

• www.qca.org.uk/nq/bs/adultlit_numqual.asp

• For entry level qualifications go to: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/bank.cfm?section=447  (literacy)
  http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/bank.cfm?section=448  (numeracy)

• There are many other post-19 qualifications possible. For a full list go to: www.dfes.gov.uk/section97

The Open College Network offers a range of opportunities developed within the voluntary and community sector, and reference to the sector’s interests. Go to: http://www.nocn.org.uk/members/national-progs.html  for a list of opportunities or to www.nocn.org.uk/contact/map.html  for contact details of your local OCN.

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