Skillsmart Retail unveils new qualifications
Next month will see the most dramatic overhaul of retail qualifications in more than two decades.
As part of a general move to improve transparency, the retail sector will be one of the first to change its qualifications to fit into the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) from the 1 September.
QCF, which is based on a simplified credit system, will roll-out throughout all vocational qualifications across every sector by December 2010.
This will result in the loss of the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to be replaced by Awards, Certificates and Diplomas in Retail Skills.
"The way the QCF is designed as a credit-based system, means learners in the retail sector will have greater freedom to choose what direction they want to move in, by building up their own bespoke learning package," says BSector Skills Council for Retail.
These will be part of three categories of retail qualifications, consisting of job-related qualifications, licence to practice qualifications and getting into retail qualifications.
Ms Paddey continues: "This will also benefit employers as it will become easier to measure the level of qualifications achieved by potential employees. Together with our partners, we have worked hard to hide the wiring of the new qualifications to ensure the changes won’t impact on how employers and learning providers deliver them."
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