Major changes are set to take place to the current range of arboricultural qualificationsincluding the Level 2 Certificate in Arboriculture, Level 3 Technician’s Certificate and the Level 6 Professional Diploma, with an introduction date of September 2010. Hopefully any confusion will be kept to a minimum as Tree Life aims to guide everybody through this process so that candidates fully understand the new qualification (credit) system that will be in place.
We are aware that we do not have all the details of the forthcoming changes but we are at the forefront of the information and are taking a proactive approach with the Government bodies, Lantra Sector Skills, ABC and the Learning and Skills Council. Dave and Andy will be at a meeting on the 28th of this month and hopefully we will have even more details for you after this.
So what is the new system?
The current National Qualifications Framework (NQF) will be replaced by the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) recognising and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The QCF approved for introduction by the Minister for Education following pilot schemes and will be regulated by the Office of the Qualification and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual). This is a part of a major reform of the vocational qualifications system. The intention is to make both the system and the qualifications offered far more relevant to the needs of employers and more flexible and accessible for learners.
The three qualifications listed above will not necessarily be replaced, but will exist within the new framework. They will remain extremely well recognised and the Professional Diploma will remain the premier qualification at level 6 (QCF).
In the new framework you will be able to achieve Awards, Certificates and Diplomas from entry levels up to level 8. The difference between the Awards, Certificates and Diplomas will be determined by the number of ‘credits’ achieved. For example the following shows how many credits are required to gain each of the qualifications:
Each credit represents ten notional hours of learning, which includes both guided learning hours and independent learning hours. The levels remain the same as they were previously, for example the level 6 is still equivalent to degree level.
In arboriculture there is still some work to be undertaken to finalise what the credit based units and assessment content will be. We do know, however, that once the units are in place they will be added to a unit databank and can then be used to build a qualification by gaining a portfolio of credits.
So as soon as we get all the details on this we will be posting them up on our website to guide you through these changes. The result will be a greater range of choice giving you more opportunity to build up credits at your own pace with Tree Life there to guide you on your best route.
So what does all of this mean for you?
It means that Tree Life are already aware of the changes and we are already making plans for 2010 so that we can still continue to deliver the top quality training that candidates and our industry have come to expect from Tree Life Training.
We will be sad to say goodbye to a system that has brought us and so many of our candidates success, however we are embracing the future of a credit framework to provide a more flexible, opportunistic and diverse syllabus suited to the individual and industry needs that should be even more accessible to all and ensure the employee has the skills required by the employer.
We look forward to helping you achieve the building blocks on your way to your next qualification.
…..and remember with Tree Life its all about Life Long Learning!
Please keep monitoring this page as updates will be made continually