Both the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) and Open College Networks or Federations (OCNs) have the objective of creating nationally coherent frameworks of qualification and training in Britain. However, they are very different organizations and have distinct, though potentially complementary, roles. Issues where the two organizations share similar aims and practices are clarifying learning outcomes, assessment, criteria for assessment, accreditation of prior learning, modularization, and credit accumulation and transfer. Several important areas of difference remain between them: accreditation, definitions of outcomes, accreditation of prior learning, and processes and outcomes. Both OCNs and NVQs provide frameworks that facilitate credit accumulation and transfer, but there are considerable differences between the two systems. The principal differences relate to notions of value (measured in "credits" or "units") and level. Potentially, OCNs offer access routes into NVQs for groups of learners for whom traditional programs delivering NVQs may not be appropriate as a first step; they offer a mechanism for NVQ units of competence to be combined flexibly with other learning to meet local and individual needs, whether of employers or of local groups and communities. Learners would be able to obtain NVQs in their local environment, with additional skills appropriate to their particular needs. (YLB)