Britain's Further Education Unit (FEU) has been working with numerous individuals and organizations in the further education (FE) sector to develop a common framework for post-14 education and training throughout the nation for the 21st century. The framework proposed by FEU provides for all achievement and awards in FE programs to be described in terms of its component units by using standardized versions of the following specifications: title, learning outcomes statement, assessment criteria, level, unit size, and credit value. The purpose of the proposed common framework for FE is to improve the balance between diversity and coherence and between local flexibility of provision and recognition of national standards. The proposed framework calls for defining and interpreting all units through a combination of the following: succinct written definitions of learning outcomes, exemplars of appropriate performance or products, and networking (through consortia, examiners' meetings, etc.) allowing practitioners to test and develop their common understanding. The FEU believes that incorporating all existing qualifications and provision within a common framework will be much easier than it was to create the British National Curriculum or National Vocational Qualifications and would bring benefits at least as great as both. (MN)