The REC gains official QCA awarding body status

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) announces that the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the trade association for the recruitment industry, has become an awarding body. By the REC becoming an awarding body the national qualifications system is now able to recognise the specific needs of SMEs and larger organisations across the recruitment industry.

The REC has been working with the QCA to conform to the rigorous standards needed to become a QCA accredited awarding body. Through this process, the REC will be able to offer its members nationally accredited qualifications developed by the industry for the industry, which can also be adapted as industry demands change.

The result will drive up training standards across the sector and help employers improve staff moral and retention whilst offering learners flexible and nationally accredited business-led qualifications.

The recognition of REC as an awarding body is part of the current reform of the vocational qualifications system, which includes QCAís development of a new Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF). The QCF creates a more flexible system that enables learners to build qualifications up from units which allow them to control their own pace of learning by gaining qualifications over time. The framework is currently being trialled in many different businesses and sectors.

There is now a variety of options available for employers to provide nationally recognised training for their staff. Employers may choose to become awarding bodies in their own right, as the MoD, McDonaldís, Flybe and Network Rail have done. Employers may also work with further education providers or representative organisations ñ such as REC.

More than 30 other employers have also already had their training nationally accredited by working in partnership with existing awarding bodies. This wide range of new opportunities for employers to have bespoke training accredited greatly expands the ways in which skills gaps can be addressed and learners can gain credit and recognition for their hard work and achievements.

Backed by 1 million of funding from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, QCA is working with the CBI and the National Employer Service to invite more employers to become involved in an expanded accreditation programme.

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said:
ìTo drive up the nation's skills, this Government is determined to recognise and promote excellence in training, wherever it is delivered.

ìNot only will employers and learners benefit from the new and flexible qualifications system but increasing the skills base the country will benefit us on the bigger stage. Thatís why I am pleased to announce an additional 1 million to support employers who want to become part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework.

Ken Boston, QCA's Chief Executive said:
Today we're announcing the second group of employers to be given official awarding body status, including the REC.

ìEmployers, whether in the private or public sectors, are demanding a more flexible and focused system of qualifications. By becoming awarding bodies themselves, these employers are in a position to offer their staff high quality training that is specifically work-based, but provides the long-needed accreditation of employee learning that can be valued throughout their working lives.

ìWe invite all employers and providers interested in participating in this programme to contact us.

Judith Armatage FREC, Director of Professional Development at REC, comments:
ìThe REC is pleased to support this project. It is a huge step forward in demand-led qualifications that meet the needs of business and will ensure that individuals and UK plc is equipped to meet the challenges both of today and tomorrow.î

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For more information on the QCF, details on taking part in the trials and the QCF consultation, visit: