Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Respond to the Framework for Achievement

25-Feb-2005

PRESS RELEASE
Date: 25th February 2005


Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Respond to the Framework for Achievement

The Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) is the trade association for the awarding body industry, with 70 members covering the vast majority of vocational qualifications that might be expected to form part of the Framework for Achievement.

The Federation has been keen to work with other stakeholders to introduce a credit framework in England since the remit to do so was received from Ministers in July 2003.
 
Our members include a number of professional bodies and membership organisations as well as major awarding bodies.  FAB has conducted an extensive consultation with its members who in turn have received views from their provider and employer customers.  We have also held discussions with a range of other stakeholders, such as the Association of Colleges and the Institute of Directors, and we have drawn on our members’ experience of introducing credit to their qualifications in the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales and in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.

The Federation cannot see how the proposals will deliver the flexibility and the ‘clear routes to employability and progression for the learner’ envisaged in the National Skills Strategy White Paper in 2003.  While we would agree that the criteria and detailed regulation that characterised the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) needs revision, we do not accept the view that the NQF cannot act as a starting point for the development of a flexible credit framework and system that can deliver the requirements of the Skills Strategy.

The Federation remains committed to developing a credit framework and qualifications system that meets the needs of learners, employers and providers.  Based on the outline proposals put forward in within this consultation document, we believe that an inclusive , flexible and responsive Framework of Achievement can best be build on the reform of the National Qualifications Framework.  We look forward to working with all three Regulatory Authorities in designing and reforming the system.




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Contact Christine Dedman 01276 417805