Abstract:

This paper presents a case study demonstrating how Professional, Vocational and Academic qualifications can be merged in a seamless programme of study. The paper will demonstrate how merging qualifications provides:
• Academic Credit for Vocational Qualifications
• Opportunities for students to use workplace experience towards recognised qualifications
• Economies of scale for the University by using Re-usable Learning Objects (RLO).

The Centre for Facilities Management (C4FM) offers a range of Professional, Vocational and Academic courses in Facilities Management (FM). All courses are web-based Distance Learning courses. As delivery is web-based distance learning, there is a world-wide market.
For British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) qualifications; students select from a menu of Units to build up to the Award, Certificate or Diploma in FM at either Level 4, 5 or 6.

C4FM also offers the following Academic courses; a top-up BSc FM at Level 6 and an MSc FM Level 7.
There are various routes from the BIFM qualifications to the academic qualifications. Students with the BIFM Level 5 Diploma enter directly onto the BSc FM. Students with BIFM Level 6 Diploma enter directly onto the MSc FM, or onto the BSc FM with advanced standing. This paper will show how students may progress between programmes carrying their credits with them.
C4FM can also offer Academic credit; and an Academic Qualification to holders of the BIFM Diploma at Levels 4 and 5.
Throughout the programmes, there are various points where students may move between the Vocational and the Academic Qualifications. The paper will show the various pathways available.

For all qualifications, emphasis is put on utilising the work-place experience. This paper will demonstrate how work-based learning is utilised in assessments at all levels, further emphasising the merging of vocational Professional and Academic learning.
The paper also examines how Re-Usable Learning Objects can be utilised at different levels, throughout the programme, with different Learning Outcomes, in the full suite of programmes, thus achieving economies of scale in the delivery of the C4FM suite.
The paper concludes with a brief outline of the financial costs and benefits of the C4FM programmes, especially the cost-effectiveness of RLO. There is also an explanation of the future expansion of the programme.

It is intended that this paper will provide an example and a template for other deliveries combining Vocational, Professional and Academic qualifications, in other discipline areas, together with some cost guidelines.

Keywords:

Vocational, Lifelong Learning, Costs.