Requirements

1
Supporting Development of a Vocational
Qualifications Framework Presentation to KOSVET
Seminar, 27 April 2005 by David Handley,
International Team Leader
2
Its not the issuing of certificates themselves
thats most important. Its what lies behind
them
3

• Key concepts
• Qualification
• Qualifications system -
• Qualifications framework

4

• Qualifications
• Belong to individuals, and attest to their
  achievements
• Are designed to meet specific purposes (external
  to the individual)
• Can be used in different ways by different users

5

• Qualifications systems
• Encompass whole process of recognising learners
• achievements
• Standards
• Assessment and recording systems
• Certification arrangements
• Quality assurance
• Approval and recognition arrangements

6

• Qualifications systems
• Are more than the sum of their parts. Can also
  be
• Policy driver for education and training reform
• Regulatory instrument (content, standards,
  quality etc.)
• Integrating mechanism linking different users and
  value systems in education and training
• Means of securing international recognition

7

• Qualifications and qualifications system design
• Is not only a technical exercise should be
  based on
• defined priorities, such as
• Meeting labour market needs
• Enhancing individuals opportunities
• Promoting social inclusiveness and equity
• Improving quality and consistency
• Supporting flexible and diverse learning
  provision

8

• Qualifications systems
• Should provide transparency and coherence
• INTERNAL
• Defined objectives and principles
• Clear methodology and guidance
• EXTERNAL
• Fitness for a defined purpose
• Matched to users needs
• ORGANISATIONAL
• Clearly defined responsibilities/
  accountabilities
• Fair and comprehensible criteria and procedures

9

• Qualifications framework
• A qualifications framework may be considered as
• DIAGRAM, locating qualifications in a grid by
  type and level
• OUTCOME of a quality process based upon
  accreditation
• CONCEPT, varying
• a) according to aims and objectives set for
  the framework
• b) from viewpoints of different stakeholders

10

• Qualifications framework concept
• Adds value to qualifications system as
• Means of showing relationships between different
  qualifications, and making learning pathways
  transparent
• Means of communicating information - providing
  transparency, defining transfer/progression rules
  etc.
• An instrument of regulation and/or quality
  control

11

• Qualifications framework concept
• Increasingly seen as
• Providing a space for development of lifelong
  learning initiatives
• The primary mechanism for facilitating mobility
  both within and between labour markets
• One of the most useful levers for change
  available to VET policy makers
• A crucial factor in long-term European
  integration

12

• Assisting Qualifications framework development
• Activities
• Develop a national qualifications framework
  concept
• Prepare recommendations on certification and
  quality assurance
• Carried out
• In parallel with work on legal and policy
  frameworks
• Alongside ETF regional initiative
• Questions
• How inclusive?
• How many levels / types of qualification?
• How to fill the gaps?