on the way to an european qualification framework eqf & ecvet berlin – 29-11-2006

On the way to an European On the way to an European Qualification FrameworkQualification Framework

EQF & ECVETEQF & ECVET

BERLIN – 29-11-2006 BERLIN – 29-11-2006

On the way to an European On the way to an European Qualification FrameworkQualification Framework

EQF & ECVETEQF & ECVET

BERLIN – 29-11-2006 BERLIN – 29-11-2006

European Commission, DG EAC – Unit A3

Why an EQF?Why an EQF?

22

ProblemProblem

Lack of communication and cooperation between education and training systems

Barriers to lifelong learning and mobility

Between Member States and between systems, e.g. between higher education and VET, between international sectors and national systems

Lack of communication and cooperation between education and training systems

Barriers to lifelong learning and mobility

Between Member States and between systems, e.g. between higher education and VET, between international sectors and national systems

33

Existing instruments Existing instruments

Europass: description of an individual’s qualifications, so far without indication of levels

Bologna process: Higher Education framework

Directive 2005/36 for access to regulated professions

Europass: description of an individual’s qualifications, so far without indication of levels

Bologna process: Higher Education framework

Directive 2005/36 for access to regulated professions

44

EQF: approach and objectives

EQF: approach and objectives

Increase transparency and portability of qualifications

Create common reference framework as translation device between qualification systems and levels

Cover all levels and forms of learning

Look at learning outcomes

Increase transparency and portability of qualifications

Create common reference framework as translation device between qualification systems and levels

Cover all levels and forms of learning

Look at learning outcomes

55

Why Learning outcomes?

Why Learning outcomes?

66

Learning outcomes Learning outcomes

shifts focus from input to what a person knows and is able to do

better match between needs of the labour market and education and training provision

facilitates transfer and use of qualifications across different countries and education and training systems

facilitates validation of non-formal and informal learning

shifts focus from input to what a person knows and is able to do

better match between needs of the labour market and education and training provision

facilitates transfer and use of qualifications across different countries and education and training systems

facilitates validation of non-formal and informal learning

77

Using EQFUsing EQF

88

99EQF 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

Q

Q

Q

Q

NQF/

NQS

NQF/

NQS

NQF/

NQS

NQF/

NQS

Q

Q

Q

NQF/

NQS

NQF/

NQS

NQF/

NQS

Country ACountry A Country BCountry B

Swedish post-secondary engineering

education (Påbygnadsutbildning)

= EQF Level 4 = Irish post secondary education at national

level 6 (Advanced certificate)

EE QQ FF

SubsidiaritySubsidiarity

voluntary does not replace national systems

or describe specific qualificationsqualifications placed via national

system

voluntary does not replace national systems

or describe specific qualificationsqualifications placed via national

system

EQF: recommends that MSEQF: recommends that MS

1. Use EQF as a reference tool2. Reference their levels to EQF by

20093. Reference new qualifications to

EQF levels by 20114. Use learning outcomes approach5. Designate national EQF centre

1. Use EQF as a reference tool2. Reference their levels to EQF by

20093. Reference new qualifications to

EQF levels by 20114. Use learning outcomes approach5. Designate national EQF centre

EQF: Commission’s role EQF: Commission’s role

Support MSs in cooperation, testing and guidance

Establish EQF advisory groupReport after 5yrs with possible

review of Recommendation

Support MSs in cooperation, testing and guidance

Establish EQF advisory groupReport after 5yrs with possible

review of Recommendation

EQF reference level descriptors

EQF reference level descriptors

Based on learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and competence) and not systems

8 levels covering all levels of academic and vocational qualifications

Integrates Bologna descriptors (within learning outcomes of levels 5-8)

Based on learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and competence) and not systems

8 levels covering all levels of academic and vocational qualifications

Integrates Bologna descriptors (within learning outcomes of levels 5-8)

Where do we stand?Where do we stand?

Discussion in Council and EPAim: Agreement under German

presidency 2007Leonardo da Vinci projects: test

and develop EQF; develop national/sectoral frameworks

Discussion in Council and EPAim: Agreement under German

presidency 2007Leonardo da Vinci projects: test

and develop EQF; develop national/sectoral frameworks

Who benefits?Who benefits?

Main users will be qualification bodiesIndividuals and employers benefit because

EQF Facilitates reading across systemsFacilitates diverse learning pathways and

access to lifelong learningFacilitates mobility for working or learning

Main users will be qualification bodiesIndividuals and employers benefit because

EQF Facilitates reading across systemsFacilitates diverse learning pathways and

access to lifelong learningFacilitates mobility for working or learning

Why ECVET?Why ECVET?

1717

ECVET is a ECVET is a political prioritypolitical priorityECVET is a ECVET is a political prioritypolitical priority

1818

ECVETECVETwill improve will improve mobilitymobility

ECVETECVETwill improve will improve mobilitymobility

1919

ECVET is a priority forECVET is a priority for lifelong learning lifelong learning ECVET is a priority forECVET is a priority for lifelong learning lifelong learning

2020

ECVET will improve ECVET will improve transparencytransparency of qualificationsof qualifications

ECVET will improve ECVET will improve transparencytransparency of qualificationsof qualifications

2121

ECVET will improve ECVET will improve mutual trust mutual trust

and and cooperationcooperation

ECVET will improve ECVET will improve mutual trust mutual trust

and and cooperationcooperation

2222

ECVET and EQFECVET and EQF

2323

Complementarities Complementarities between ECVET and EQFbetween ECVET and EQF

Complementarities Complementarities between ECVET and EQFbetween ECVET and EQF

Based on learning outcomes

Centred on qualifications

Emphasis on Lifelong Learning

Focused on Mobility

Transparency oriented

Based on learning outcomes

Centred on qualifications

Emphasis on Lifelong Learning

Focused on Mobility

Transparency oriented

2424

Complementarities Complementarities between ECVET and EQFbetween ECVET and EQF

Complementarities Complementarities between ECVET and EQFbetween ECVET and EQF

8 COMMON REFERENCE

LEVELS

ECVETECVET

2525

Why is ECVET important Why is ECVET important for for individualsindividuals??Why is ECVET important Why is ECVET important for for individualsindividuals??

2626

Mr X has an opportunity for a learning period

abroad

Learning context B

Learning context A

2727Achieved learning outcomes

Mr X has an opportunity for a learning period

abroad

Learning context B

Learning context A

2828

Mr X achieves L.O.

Learning context B

Learning context A

2929

…and now Mr X wants to transfer “home” his new

learning outcomes to include them for

the qualification

Achieved L.O.

Learning context B

Learning context A

3030

Transfer Process

Achieved L.O.

?

Learning context B

Learning context A

3131

But it’s difficult,

because of barriers…

3232

But it’s difficult,

because of barriers…

• No transparencyNo transparency

• No mutual trustNo mutual trust

• No validationNo validation

• No accumulation of No accumulation of learning outcomeslearning outcomes

• No recognitionNo recognition

ECVET would help ECVET would help remove those barriersremove those barriers

ECVET would help ECVET would help remove those barriersremove those barriers

3333

Learning context B

Learning context A

3434

Because competent body A validates and recognises

learning outcomes achieved in context B

Achieved L.O.

ECVET would mean Mr X can

transfer “home” his new L.O.

Context AQualification

—The learning outcomes gained are accumulated

and are now an integrated part of his qualification

Qualificationcontext (A)

3535

What is ECVET?What is ECVET?

3636

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Learning context B

Learning context A

3939

Transcript of record

Validation of L.O.Recognition of L.O.

Accumulation of L.O.

Assessment of L.O. Credit for L.O.

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The aim of the ECVET learning The aim of the ECVET learning outcomes outcomes transfertransfer processprocessThe aim of the ECVET learning The aim of the ECVET learning outcomes outcomes transfertransfer processprocess

4141

A qualification is described in A qualification is described in units units of learning outcomesof learning outcomesA qualification is described in A qualification is described in units units of learning outcomesof learning outcomes

4242

Unit

Knowledge

Skills

Competence

Qu

alif

icat

ion

The heart of ECVET: UnitsThe heart of ECVET: UnitsThe heart of ECVET: UnitsThe heart of ECVET: Units

4343

Qu

alif

icat

ion

Unit

Unit

Unit

The heart of ECVET: UnitsThe heart of ECVET: UnitsThe heart of ECVET: UnitsThe heart of ECVET: Units

Designed at Designed at national level by national level by competent competent bodies.bodies.

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ECVETECVET Credit Credit pointspoints indicate indicate the relative weight of units: the relative weight of units: an examplean example

ECVETECVET Credit Credit pointspoints indicate indicate the relative weight of units: the relative weight of units: an examplean example

4646

Qu

alif

icat

ion

10 Points

50 Points

20 Points

Unit

Unit

Unit

80 Pts

Allocation Allocation of ECVET credit of ECVET credit pointspoints

Allocation Allocation of ECVET credit of ECVET credit pointspoints

To a qualification then to units

Different approaches are possible

Convention in the formal context

To a qualification then to units

Different approaches are possible

Convention in the formal context

4747

What is the role of the What is the role of the ‘competent bodies’‘competent bodies’??

What is the role of the What is the role of the ‘competent bodies’‘competent bodies’??

4848

Linking qualifications to ECVET: Linking qualifications to ECVET: the role of the the role of the ‘competent bodies’‘competent bodies’Linking qualifications to ECVET: Linking qualifications to ECVET: the role of the the role of the ‘competent bodies’‘competent bodies’

Commitment for linking qualifications to ECVET and decision on the adoption

Design for processes: assessment, validation, transfer, accumulation and recognition

Expression of Qualifications and units

Allocation of Credit Points

Establishment of partnerships/memoranda of understanding

Regulation and quality assurance

Commitment for linking qualifications to ECVET and decision on the adoption

Design for processes: assessment, validation, transfer, accumulation and recognition

Expression of Qualifications and units

Allocation of Credit Points

Establishment of partnerships/memoranda of understanding

Regulation and quality assurance

4949

Using ECVET:Using ECVET: ‘Competent bodies’ ‘Competent bodies’ andand VET providers VET providers are involved in: are involved in:Using ECVET:Using ECVET: ‘Competent bodies’ ‘Competent bodies’ andand VET providers VET providers are involved in: are involved in:

Individual’s learning agreement

Assessment of learning outcomes

Award of credits

Validation

Transfer

Recognition

…

Individual’s learning agreement

Assessment of learning outcomes

Award of credits

Validation

Transfer

Recognition

…

5050

Roadmap towards ECVET

Roadmap towards ECVET

5151

ECVET: procedure for ECVET: procedure for 2006-20072006-2007

ECVET: procedure for ECVET: procedure for 2006-20072006-2007

Launch the consultation (November 2006 - March 2007)*

Conference in Germany June 2007

Preparation of the final proposal

Adoption process

Implementation in Member States

Launch the consultation (November 2006 - March 2007)*

Conference in Germany June 2007

Preparation of the final proposal

Adoption process

Implementation in Member States

5252

*Consultation document on:

http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/consult/index_en.html