The new Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, officially launched this week, is to invite representatives of higher education institutions to take part in national advisory groups on improving the national framework of vocational qualifications. The consultation will be one of the first issues to be tackled by the QCA, said its chief executive, Nick Tate. It will also be consulting on proposals set out by Dearing for broadening qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds.