Helping you understanding the IT technical requirements of the QCF

With the introduction of a new framework comes the introduction of centralised recording of learner achievement.

And in order to have QCF credit achievement recorded on a centralised learner record, each candidate will need to be assigned a Unique Learner Number (ULN) . This number will stay with a learner for their lifetime and will be used across all providers and awarding bodies. ULNs do not replace the City & Guilds enrolment number, but will be an additional field of information. The LSC and 14-19 Diploma aggregation service (DAS) are two organisations that already require the use of the ULN to help them identify learners.

Unique learner numbers (ULNs)

You can submit ULNs manually through the Walled Garden or via EDI batch upload. This will not require you to purchase new IT equipment. All the major educational MIS suppliers are working on updating current IT software packages to handle ULNs. Please contact your MIS supplier for further details. 

We have created a ULN centre administration page with details to assist you in handling and submitting ULNs for 14-19 Diploma constituent qualifications and the those accredited on the QCF.

Centres can obtain, verify and authenticate ULNs through the MIAP Learner Registration Services (LRS), once they have become a registered learning provider with MIAP. Our systems are now accepting the submission ULNs from centres . If you are centre who is experiencing difficulty with obtaining ULN data, please email the MIAP support team lrssupport@miap.gov.uk or call 0845 602 2589.

When will learner records be available?

The Implementation proposals for the new QCF IT system are expected from regulators in October/November 2008. We are hopeful that the learner record system will then be in place for learners to use from September 2009.

Registration of candidates with City & Guilds for accredited QCF qualifications take place is the same way as for non-QCF accredited qualifications. Once learner records are in place we will retrospectively send QCF achievement data through (as long as we have the correct ULN).

Benefits of learner achievement records

This new system will be designed to:

• allow a learner to check their own progress towards their chosen qualification
• help a learner see what other qualifications the units they have completed can contribute towards
• allow a learner to show an electronic record of achievement to whomever they want, ie an employer
• enable the management of shared units across qualifications, over time
• provide a system for the transfer of units across awarding bodies
• provide a system to manage accredited in-house employer training.

Therefore, the system manages the technical requirements of the framework - allowing learners and employers to have more freedom through a wider choice of units, that are more relevant to their needs, delivered at a pace that suits an individual's circumstances.

Still unsure what this means for you?

We have created a set of City & Guilds QCF IT related frequently asked questions (FAQs) which can be found in Related Documents below, as well as on our QCF FAQ page.

And if you are still unsure of how this will impact on the registration of candidates with City & Guilds, please email credit.frameworks@cityandguilds.com.