QCA was set up in 1997 to bring together the work of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) and the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (SCAA). SQA has a similar role in Scotland.

Background
In the 1980's there were over 300 bodies who were able to award qualifications. These included the City & Guilds of London Institute, the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) and various trade organisations.

With so many awarding bodies and so many different qualifications, the system was confusing for employers and trainees. There was little guidance about how the various qualifications compared to each other.

Many employers also felt that the content of the courses did not match their training needs. They wanted more appropriate training, that was adaptable. They also wanted open ended training so that employees could study for qualifications without a time restriction. NCVQ established a framework for vocational qualifications through the NVQ and GNVQ training routes, working closely with employers, the CBI and the TUC to improve vocational qualifications. NVQs and GNVQs are based on what employers need from their workforce and what employees need in terms of training.

The work of QCA
The creation of QCA ended the academic/ vocational divide and now there is one body that has a unique overview of curriculum, assessment and qualifications across the whole of education and training, from pre-school to higher vocational levels.

At the heart of QCA's work, is the establishment of a framework of qualifications. This will incorporate the full range of general, general vocational, and vocational qualifications currently available up to and including A levels on the academic side and HNDs and HNCs and level5 NVQs on the vocational side.

QCA works with a number of partners - the government, awarding bodies, school, colleges, training providers, national/ regional bodies, employers, professional associations, trade unions, parents and school governors.