Open college network
Encyclopedia
The Open College Network (OCN) is the commonly used term to describe one or more of the 11 regional bodies that together comprise the National Open College Network (NOCN). NOCN is one of the United Kingdom Awarding Bodies
that include Edexcel
and City and Guilds.
NOCN provides national coordination for the 10 regional OCNs which cover England and Northern Ireland. Each individual OCN operates semi-autonomously in its region.
The OCN began as a movement in Manchester 1982 to recognize informal learning
achieved by adults. Typically, OCN recognition was enthusiastically taken up by adult and community education as well as a range of further education colleges seeking alternative routes to promote adult access into higher education. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the movement accelerated and the National Open College Network was formed to coordinate the many OCNs that formed.
Integral to the OCN mission is a commitment to providing flexible routes to recognition for those whose achievements are made outside a traditional classroom context. Many of those who have earned OCN recognition are those who would not otherwise have been able to access formal educational credentials.
The OCNs were the first accreditation bodies to use credit as the basis of the award system. Credit was established as the common currency for all members of the NOCN as well as establishing consistent definitions for four levels of achievement. In the early 90s, the British vocational qualifications system was revolutionised by the introduction of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ). NOCN moved quickly to re-align its four levels with this emerging national level system. These levels now form the backbone of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). NOCN became a licensed Awarding Body in 2000 enabling it to offer qualifications in addition to the standard accreditation available locally through the regional OCNs.
During 2007, the OCN awarded 800,000 certificates of credit. There are 2500 centres across England and Northern Ireland that offer credit-bearing courses and work-based learning programs, many leading to NOCN qualifications. These include schools, colleges, hospitals, community centres, residential retreats, trades unions, prisons and corporations.
The Open College Network (OCN) has been established for 25 years. It awards qualifications from Entry Level up to Level Three of the National Qualifications Framework
(NQF)and Qualifications and Credit Framework
(QCF).
United Kingdom Awarding Bodies
In the UK, in order for a qualification to be recognized as part of the National Qualifications Framework , and transferable between courses, institutions and occupations, it must be accredited through one of the United Kingdom Awarding Bodies that is regulated by the three government-appointed...
that include Edexcel
Edexcel
Edexcel, a UK company, is one of England, Wales and Northern Ireland's five main examination boards, and is wholly owned by the private-sector Pearson PLC, a UK-based media and publishing conglomerate. Its name is a portmanteau word derived from the words "educational" and "excellence"...
and City and Guilds.
NOCN provides national coordination for the 10 regional OCNs which cover England and Northern Ireland. Each individual OCN operates semi-autonomously in its region.
The OCN began as a movement in Manchester 1982 to recognize informal learning
Informal learning
Informal learning is one of three forms of learning defined by the OECD. The other two are formal and non-formal learning. Informal learning occurs in a variety of places, such as at home, work, and through daily interactions and shared relationships among members of society. For many learners this...
achieved by adults. Typically, OCN recognition was enthusiastically taken up by adult and community education as well as a range of further education colleges seeking alternative routes to promote adult access into higher education. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the movement accelerated and the National Open College Network was formed to coordinate the many OCNs that formed.
Integral to the OCN mission is a commitment to providing flexible routes to recognition for those whose achievements are made outside a traditional classroom context. Many of those who have earned OCN recognition are those who would not otherwise have been able to access formal educational credentials.
The OCNs were the first accreditation bodies to use credit as the basis of the award system. Credit was established as the common currency for all members of the NOCN as well as establishing consistent definitions for four levels of achievement. In the early 90s, the British vocational qualifications system was revolutionised by the introduction of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ). NOCN moved quickly to re-align its four levels with this emerging national level system. These levels now form the backbone of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). NOCN became a licensed Awarding Body in 2000 enabling it to offer qualifications in addition to the standard accreditation available locally through the regional OCNs.
During 2007, the OCN awarded 800,000 certificates of credit. There are 2500 centres across England and Northern Ireland that offer credit-bearing courses and work-based learning programs, many leading to NOCN qualifications. These include schools, colleges, hospitals, community centres, residential retreats, trades unions, prisons and corporations.
The Open College Network (OCN) has been established for 25 years. It awards qualifications from Entry Level up to Level Three of the National Qualifications Framework
National Qualifications Framework
The National Qualifications Framework is a credit transfer system developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland....
(NQF)and Qualifications and Credit Framework
Qualifications and Credit Framework
The Qualifications and Credit Framework is the national credit transfer system for education qualification in England, Education in Northern Ireland and Wales. The QCF replaces the National Qualifications Framework which closed for accreditations at the end of 2010...
(QCF).