The purpose of placement is to include existing and former awards in the framework. A process leading to the placement of existing and former awards in the framework is underway. Existing and former awards are those awards that were made either before the determination of the framework, or after its determination, but prior to implementation of the new framework standards for award-types.
The Authority and the Higher Education and Training Awards Council agreed on 18 March 2004 to the placement of the following existing and former awards (previously made by HETAC and/or by the former National Council for Education Awards) in the National Framework of Qualifications:
Placement is at level and not as equivalent to an award-type. The placement of an existing or former award in the framework does not imply that someone holding such an award has achieved all of the outcomes associated with a new, framework-based, award-type at the same level. Existing and former awards may not have been designed with the same purposes in mind as new award-types and consequently the necessary outcomes may not have been achieved. Placement will not reduce or lessen any eligibility or entitlements arising from an award. For this reason, the provisions for access, transfer and progression associated with new awards in the framework do not necessarily apply to all existing and former awards placed at the same level. At the same time, wherever possible the provisions for access, transfer and progression will be extended to holders of existing and former awards.
More detail on the rationale for the placement in the Framework of existing and former awards can be found in Chapter 7 of the publication of the Authority 'Policies and Criteria for the Establishment of the National Framework of Qualifications'. The publication is available on this website, see under 'Publications' from the Homepage, document No. 11.
The aim is that further placements of existing and former awards will take place by summer 2004.