ACS

The biggest overhaul of retail qualifications in more than two decades will come into effect next month, as a result of retailers’ demands for a more simple and transparent system.

From Tuesday, 1st September, the retail sector will be one of the first to change its qualifications to fit into the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), a credit-based system which will be up-and-running for all vocational qualifications across every sector by December 2010.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this will mean the loss of the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) to be replaced by Awards, Certificates and Diplomas in Retail Skills.

These will be part of three categories of retail qualifications, designed by Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, alongside awarding organisations and retail employers to cover learners of all levels. These are:

• Job-related qualifications
• Licence to practice qualifications
• Getting into retail qualifications

Awarding bodies including ABC Awards, City & Guilds, Edexcel, EDI, OCR and VTCT will all offer the new QCF qualifications.

Beverley Paddey, Head of Standards and Qualifications at Skillsmart Retail, believes the new QCF will benefit everyone in the retail sector.

She said: “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.

“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.”

Download the leaflet here:   Guide to Retail Qualifications - September 2009