Information for education providers and advisers

This applies to higher education, general and vocational qualifications (for example, QCF qualifications, including NVQs) and recognised quality-assured ‘lifelong learning’ which includes adult community education, bespoke company training and CPD.

The CQFW has three common principles:

• expression of achievement as learning outcomes
• the demands made on the learner to achieve the learning outcomes (level)
• the volume of learning achievements (credit).

All vocational qualifications have a level and credit value which:

• allows learners to build up qualifications through completion of units – this will motivate and encourage some learners
• motivates learners of all ages and helps them to acquire the skills and qualifications that meet employers needs and
• provides a way to recognise work based learning and training that can be assessed and given a credit value.

You can access more information on CQFW and QCF below ("Learning is changing: booklet").

The Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales has been aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). This means that the level of a qualification gained in Wales can be compared against a level in the EQF – this helps people and organisations to translate achievement across Europe.

The Unique Learner Number (ULN) and its importance to your learners

In Wales, students in Year 9 up to Year 13 in the 2011/12 academic year will be allocated their ULN in school. In subsequent years, only Year 9 students will receive their ULN. Further Education and Work Based Learning providers have been issuing ULNs to their learners since September 2010.

The ULN is a 10 digit number which is the education equivalent to the national insurance number, and will be issued once for life. It will reduce administration when enrolling students onto a course, particularly when progressing from school to Further Education and Higher Education provision.

It is the means by which all achievement can be recorded in learners’ personal learning records, more information is available below.

The Personal Learning Record (PLR) is an online record of qualifications achieved from the age of 16. The learner will control access to their PLR. Admissions tutors, Training Providers and future employers will need permission to look at it. The PLR can be used to verify training and learning achievements. It will also help Careers Advisers provide tailored and relevant careers advice. The PLR will be accessed via the Careers Wales website.

Other organisations (external links)

• Careers Wales -all age careers information and guidance
• Learning Records Service
• Federation of Awarding Bodies Wales 
• University Candidate Application Service (UCAS)
• The Register of Qualifications
• Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification Guide
• Council for Wales for Voluntary Youth Services
• Colleges Wales - raising the profile of further education
• Higher Education Funding Council in Wales (HEFCW)