Qualification Development

Improve works with employers and stakeholders in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland to develop qualifications for the food and drink industry.

The qualifications we develop reflect the demands of different types of businesses and wide range of job roles in the sector.  Improve consults with employers and stakeholders during development to make sure the qualifications provide the right mix of skills and knowledge needed to work effectively in the food and drink industry.

Improve developed its Recognition of Achievement (RoA) Framework in response to employer demands for a coherent suite of qualifications for the sector. In the framework different types of units are developed (all based on National Occupational Standards). Each type of unit has a clear purpose:

OS – Occupational Skills unit – Skills needed to prove competence in the workplace
OK – Occupational Knowledge unit – Knowledge required to prove competence in the workplace
UK – Underpinning Knowledge unit – Broader knowledge of science, materials and techniques and equipment used in manufacturing
VS-  Vocational Skills unit – Skills units to be assessed off the job in a learning environment
RC – Regulatory compliance unit – combining specific skills and knowledge which must be assessed together to meet a regulatory requirement .

Different types of units can be combined to create different type of qualifications for learners in the workplace or in a learning environment.

*ROA Framework

There are two innovative and flexible families of qualifications, based on the RoA framework which meet the needs of employers and learners in the sector. Qualifications are available at different levels, making it possible for everyone from new entrants to experienced managers to find a qualification that will be right for them.

• Improve Proficiency Qualifications (IPQs) Confirm competence of staff in the workplace.
•  Improve Vocational Qualifications (IVQ's) Allow learners to develop skills and knowledge in a learning environment

The Improve Assessment Strategy provides information on the assessment methods and requirements used for each type of qualification. Our qualifications are designed to meet requirements of the UK Qualifications frameworks, be included in our Apprenticeship frameworks and to be eligible for funding when possible.