Support and Resources
The following documents will provide information from the LSC on key aspects of the UK Vocational Qualification Reform Programme.
Funding GuidanceLSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 - Funding Principles, Rules and Regulations Version 4Final Version Published 4th November 2008 (Originally published 18th April 2008)
This document, LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 (referred to here as ‘the Guidance’) sets out the Learning and Skills Council’s approach to, and the authoritative guidance for, the funding of LSC provision in 2008/09. It is a technical reference document, and should be used as a handbook for all LSC programme funding. All colleges, schools, providers and other organisations that receive funding from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for the provision of education and training are required to comply with the Guidance.
Section 4 of the Guidance provides details of qualifications and funding, including changes specific to vocational qualification reform and the foundation learning tier.
Supporting Documents
Briefing on Qualification and Framework ReformPublished 6th November 2008
This paper provides an overview of two key reforms in qualifications; the UK Vocational Qualifications Reform Programme (including the Qualifications and Credit Framework) and the Foundation Learning Tier programme.
This document has been written for an external audience and will be of interest to LSC funded providers and other key LSC stakeholders.
Single Equality Impact Assessment: Demand-led Funding and the UK Vocational Qualification Reform Programme - Sub Programme 3 (Planning, Funding and Delivery of Provision for Learners)Published 15th July 2008
This Single Equality Impact Assessment (SEIA) encompasses the implementation of demand-led funding in 2008/09 and two elements of UK VQRP Programme 3, namely the reform of funding and performance measures to support the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) and the alignment of public funding to priority vocational qualifications.
The SEIA was was conducted and is published in accordance with the LSC’s Single Equality Scheme and reflects the Council’s statutory duty to prevent discrimination and promote equality and diversity.
Priorities Vocational QualificationsAligning Public Funding with Priority Vocational Qualifications in England in 2008/09 - Update
Published 14 February 2008
This document provides an update to the Addendum to Statement of Priorities - Aligning Public Funding with Priority Vocational Qualifications in England in 2008/09, published in December 2007 (see above).
Updated 26 February 2008
This document has been updated to correct the date quoted in paragraph 3 (d). The paragraph should read:
- “From 1 August 2009, the LSC will start to ‘turn-off’ funding for predecessor NQF qualifications and lower priority qualifications. Learners on existing programmes registered before this date will continue to be funded to complete their programmes. Details of the qualifications will be published at the end of summer 2008.”
Addendum to Statement of Priorities - Aligning Public Funding with Priority Vocational Qualifications in England in 2008/09 Published 11 December 2007
This document provides further details and clarification of the process of progressively aligning funding with the vocational qualifications approved by Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) within the context of their sector qualification strategies, as referenced on Page 28 of the Statement of Priorities,
Better skills, Better Jobs, Better lives; November 2007. This document is aimed at all regional and LSC partnership teams and key external stakeholders, particularly providers.
Qualification Reform Support ProgrammeThe Quality Improvement Agency has contracted the Learning and Skills Network to provide a support programme for post 16 providers to help them to prepare for sector qualification reform and the Qualifications and Credit Framework in the context of a demand led system. Further information regarding the support programme can be found on the
Quality Improvement Agency website.
Full Level 2 in the QCFFull Level 2 in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (UK VQRP)Published 15th November 2007
Update on recent changes to the definition of full Level 2 vocational qualifications in the context of the UK Vocational Qualification Reform Programme (UK VQRP) and the development of the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF).
QCF Test and TrialsLSC Statement on Funding Phase 2 of the QCF Test and Trials (2007/08)Published 5th September 2007 (originally issued June 2007)
A statement clarifying the approach to funding during the QCF Test and Trials in 2007/08.
List of Approved QCF Tests and Trials for Public FundingPublished 5th September 2007 (originally issued June 2007)
This document provides a list of QCF Test and Trials, from the first and second phase, which are eligible for LSC funding.
QCF Test and Trials - Guidance for Providers on Recording the Participation of Learners on the Individualised Learner RecordPublished 7th August 2007
A guidance note on completing the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) has been produced for those providers taking part in the first year of phased implementation in 2007/08.
