The EQF – European The EQF – European Qualifications Framework Qualifications Framework

Aims, consultation results and Aims, consultation results and next stepsnext steps Martina NMartina Ní Cheallaighí Cheallaigh

European Commission European Commission Directorate General for Education and CultureDirectorate General for Education and Culture

Functions of the EQFFunctions of the EQF

Neutral reference pointNeutral reference point based on

learning outcomeslearning outcomes

Translation deviceTranslation device for comparing qualifications

The EQF The EQF Taking forward results of existing workTaking forward results of existing work

• Cooperation in higher education (Bologna)

• Cooperation in vocational education and training (Copenhagen)

EQF builds on and integrates

results of Bologna and Copenhagen

Our Lifelong Learning Our Lifelong Learning Experience: Obstacles!Experience: Obstacles!

• within and between within and between countriescountries

• between education and between education and training systemstraining systems

• to use competences to use competences acquired in non formal acquired in non formal and informal settingsand informal settings

EQF Level 1EQF Level 1

EQF Level 2EQF Level 2

EQF Level 3EQF Level 3

EQF Level 4EQF Level 4

EQF Level 5EQF Level 5

EQF Level 6EQF Level 6

EQF Level 7EQF Level 7

EQF Level 8EQF Level 8

Country ACountry A Country BCountry B

Q

Q

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NQF/

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NQF/

NQS

NQF/

NQS

Q

Q

Q

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NQF/

NQS

NQF/

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A basis for co-operationA basis for co-operation

• EQF EQF implementation is implementation is voluntaryvoluntary

• Entails Entails no legal no legal obligationsobligations on on Member States or Member States or sectorssectors

• Fosters changeFosters change by by supporting and supporting and informing reforminforming reform

What EQF is NOT!What EQF is NOT!

• EQFEQF not about not about replacingreplacing national/sectoral national/sectoral frameworksframeworks

• EQFEQF not about not about harmonisationharmonisation

• EQFEQF CANNOT define CANNOT define new qualificationsnew qualifications

A shift in focus towards Learning A shift in focus towards Learning OutcomesOutcomes

LearningOutcomes

Necessary for translating

between systems

Reflects ongoing reformsat national level

May

boo

st v

alid

atio

n of

non-

form

al le

arni

ng

Recognition of Non-formal and Informal Learning

Make visible (identify)

Value (assess and recognise)

+

…competences acquired outside formal education and training

Curricula and qualifications standards based on learning outcomes will facilitate validation

Linking qualifications to the EQF: Linking qualifications to the EQF: the role of the role of nationalnational authorities authorities

• Commitments to link national qualifications to EQF

• Long term reform process

• Learning outcome-based qualifications

• National Framework of Qualifications?

Linking qualifications to the EQF: Linking qualifications to the EQF: the role of the role of sectoral sectoral stakeholdersstakeholders

• Sectors have expressed the need for a common reference point

• Focus on an outcomes and competence based approach

• Follow up of Maastricht Communique

EXAMPLE: Competence developments at sector level

UK Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)

• Competence based

• 700.000 holders

•Link to the EQF could point towards a Euro- CSCS?

Linking qualifications to the EQF: Linking qualifications to the EQF: the role of the role of sectoral sectoral stakeholdersstakeholders

• Invite sectors to link sectoral qualifications to EQF

• Facilitate sector internal competence developments

• Facilitate link between national and sectoral qualifications

• Decentralisation, self-certification and transparency

ConsultationConsultationEurope-wide consultation process from July to November 2005:

• 32 countries in ‘Education and Training 2010’

• Bologna follow-up group

• European Social Partner organisations

• Industry & sector organisations

• Education and training NGO’s

Consultation resultsConsultation results

• Broad agreement that EQF Broad agreement that EQF is necessary and relevantis necessary and relevant

• EQF implementation must EQF implementation must be be voluntary; voluntary; mmust not ust not entailentail legal obligations legal obligations on on Member States or sectorsMember States or sectors

• broad acceptance of 8-level broad acceptance of 8-level structurestructure

• EQF needs to be based on EQF needs to be based on quality assurance quality assurance principles and mutual trustprinciples and mutual trust

Need for further developmentNeed for further development

An operational

EQF

Clarification of concepts

Piloting and testing

• Link to Bologna• Descriptors• National level• Sectors

Conclusion Conclusion

• ‘Go ahead’ for development of operational EQF

• Need for simplification, clarification and refinement

Next steps• Commission support to countries and sectors to

test and develop EQF– Call for proposals DG EAC 22/06 - Award of grants

for actions to develop and test the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), including national and sectoral qualifications frameworks

– Deadline: 18 August 2006 • Working group presented simplified and refined

reference levels to representatives from Member States in June

• Drafting Recommendation of Council and EP

The Main The Main

elements elements

of the of the EQFEQF