Welcome to ABC awards

Recent Communications

2010
2009
2008
Archive of Communication from previous years


March 2010

Qualifications & Credit Framework - Further Updates

Following our recent email to you regarding ABC Awards’ supplementary QCF recognition we would like to update you further.

We appreciate the current climate is uncertain and would like to reassure you that despite the challenges that the new environment presents ABC has already migrated the majority of its provision to the QCF.  During a period of national rationalisation of qualifications ABC continues to grow and to expand its offer across sectors and levels.

Full Further QCF Email

February 2010

Qualifications & Credit Framework - ABC Awards Gains Ofqual QCF Recognition

ABC has been fully recognised by Ofqual as a QCF awarding organisation. This means that it is now able to extend the accreditation life of current QCF qualifications beyond December 2010. ABC will be working with relevant SSCs to extend all current QCF provision as quickly as possible.

Full QCF Email


October 2009

Funding Update for Centres Delivering ABC Qualifications in Fabrication and Welding

ABC Awards (ABC) has endeavoured to maximise the eligibility for funding of its Fabrication and Welding qualifications during a period of transition for the LSC and the qualifications frameworks.

For this reason, ABC has ensured that its suite of Fabrication and Welding qualifications is available both on the NQF and the QCF.  The Level 2 Certificate and Level 3 Diploma are listed as technical certificates for apprenticeships on the NQF and the QCF versions should also be listed in the near future.

There are no differences between the qualifications in terms of content and assessment. Providers can choose which framework they wish to register learners onto and may want to contact their Local LSC to determine whether the NQF or QCF version of the qualification is fundable locally. 

Examination Officers should ensure they register on the most appropriate version of the qualification with ABC, both versions will be available using the online registration service.

Continued - please click on link below

Welding Funding Update

September 2009

Learner Registrations 09-10 (To Examination Officers)

Welcome to ABC Awards for the academic session 09-10.  We are looking forward to working with you all again.  Please note that the new ABC Examination Officers Guide will be available from 01 October 2009 and will only be posted on the website.  Any amendments to this document will be posted on the website and centres are requested to look regularly for updates.

Important changes for you to note when registering learners:

Continued - please click on link below

Learner Registrations Email Newsletter
For attachments mentioned in the document please see Exams Officers page


September 2008

Learner Registrations 08-09 (To Examination Officers)

Welcome to ABC Awards for the academic session 08-09.  We are looking forward to working with you all again.  Please note that the new ABC Examination Officers Guide will be available from 01 October 2008 and will be sent to you as a web key which links directly to the ABC web page where the Guide is stored. (Paper copies can be sent out on request.)  All amendments and updates will be made to the web site version only. Continued - please click on link below

Learner Registrations Email Newsletter
For attachments mentioned in the document please see Exams Officers page

August 2008

NVQ Levy

Following the Leitch Review the Government has decided to replace the current statutory levy on NVQs with a grant to SSCs with effect from Autumn 2008.  This has involved legislative change and the regulators have now written to all awarding bodies to inform them that the requirement on awarding bodies to pay the regulator £10 for each NVQ certificate will be withdrawn with effect from 1 October 2008.

Continued (letter to effected ABC centres)

April 2008

Fashion Portfolio

ABC Awards has a well established suite of qualifications in Sewing, Textiles and Fashion.  These qualifications will continue to be available to centres in 2008/2009.

From 2008 the new ABC Awards Fashion and Textiles Framework will also be available for centres to offer.

The ABC Awards Fashion and Textiles Framework will be approved on the Qualifications and Credit Framework and will include a wide range of Awards, Certificates and Diplomas, initially at Level One, Level Two and Level Three.  Each qualification will be unitised and credit valued.   Units at Levels Four and Five will follow shortly.

Fashion Portfolio Email Newsletter

Posted 23.4.08

Level 3 & Level 4 Diplomas in Foundation Studies in Art, Design & Media

ABC Awards presents its newly accredited Level 3 and 4 Diplomas in Foundation Studies in Art, Design and Media. These qualifications are available to centres from 1 April 2008 and are set to replace the existing ABC Awards Level 3 Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design) whose accreditation expires in August this year.

Letter to centres


February 2008

Examination Officers Day

ABC Awards would like to invite Examination Officers to an event to support Examination Officers and Centre Administrators when dealing with ABC Awards’ qualification administration, futher details are availble on the link below:

Examination Officers Day Information

Subcontractor Survey Response

ABC Awards (ABC) would like to thank all those moderators, verifiers and examiners who responded to our 2007 Sub-Contractor Survey, futher details can be found in the link below:

Subcontractor Survey Response from ABC Awards


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Latest News

ABC Gains Ofqual Recogition as a QCF Awarding Organisation

ABC has been fully recognised by Ofqual as a QCF awarding organisation. This means that it is now able to extend the accreditation life of current QCF qualifications beyond December 2010. ABC will be working with relevant SSCs to extend all current QCF provision as quickly as possible.

All new qualifications will be recognised for the QCF and will be approved beyond December 2010. ABC intends to replace the majority of its remaining NQF qualifications with updated provision on the QCF as soon as possible. All plans are subject to SSC approval and timescales. Posted 4.2.10

Counselling Qualifications Update

ABC’s Counselling qualifications have an accreditation end date of 31st December 2010.

We have been engaged with Skills for Health (the Sector Skills Council responsible for Counselling) for the past 12 months concerning the transition of counselling qualifications to the new Qualifications and Credit framework.

They have been conducting research looking at the Counselling landscape, its terms, its scope etc. and the potential for identifying learning pathways.  These pathways might equate to a career development plan for individuals wishing to study toward full specialist areas of counselling with stepping off points to roles along that pathway.  To help us in this endeavour the SSC engaged Consultants whose remit is to produce a report late December 2009. 

Counselling update continued....

Posted 2.12.09

Statement of Intent

Qualifications for the Children and Young People’s Work Force

ABC Awards has been working with other Awarding Organisations under the leadership of the Children’s Work Force Development Council (CWDC) and the Care Council for Wales on units which will form new qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 for the Children and Young People’s Workforce. These will be available for learners to enrol on by August 2010.

They will be:

Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce.
It will:

  • assess both competence and knowledge.
  • be a progression route to the new Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce.
  • reflect the common core skills and knowledge that employers identify as important.

Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce
It will be:

  • approximately 60-65 credits
  • a full and relevant level 3 qualification.
  • assess knowledge and skills
  • in some parts of the children and young people’s workforce a requirement for registration and regulatory purposes
  • contain L4 units to aid progression to further higher level study such as Foundation Degrees
  • provide the opportunity for achieving individual units as CPD

ABC Awards is also working with the Care Council for Wales in collaboration with CWDC on a Level 5 qualification for the sector.  More details will follow shortly.  Further details will also be available from CWDC’s website www.cwdcouncil.org.uk

Posted 2.11.09

Customised Provision

Throughout 2009/2010 ABC will be reviewing its accredited and customised provision and migrating suitable provision onto the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).   Provision that is not suitable for migration onto the QCF will be required to be updated in accordance with current approval requirements, and submitted for re-approval.

The approval period for all current ABC Customised Provision Programmes will therefore end on 31st December 2010. Centres offering Customised Provision Programmes will be contacted individually in due course. Posted 26.8.09

Upcoming Events at ABC Awards

Art, Design & Creative Industries Launch Events
ABC Awards will be holding events in March 2010, across the country to launch its new suite of qualifications in the Art, Design and Creative Industries sector.

Health & Social Care Update & Information Events - June 2010
Covering qualifications in: Youth Work, Vulnerable Young People, Counselling, Reflexology, Child Care. Dates: 15th, 17th,  23rd and 29th June. 

Go to Conference & Events page for further information and booking forms.

Qualifications Directory 2009-2010

image of ABC Awards Qualifications Directory

Examination Officers Guide 2009-10

image of ABC awards Examination Officers Guide 2009-10 guide

Alpha Newsletter Winter 2009

image of ABC awards Alpha magazine

Annual Review 2009

image of ABC awards Annual review 2008

todays date 18th March 2010

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