Referencing the Italian qualifications to EQF

State of play

Bruxelles 25-26 September 2012

2003-2007: First phase – Start up in implementing EQF concepts and approach. So called “National Committee” with Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education &

University, Regions and social partners Reform of University based on credits Reform of the 1° & 2° cycle of Education and first regulations

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The EQF implementation in Italy

2008-2012: Second phase – Development new curricula for 1° and 2° cycle of education and for initial VET (3 years and 4 years courses) based on LOs reform of the Istruzione e Formazione Tecnica Superiore (IFTS and ITS paths). These paths are based on units of competences (UC) and credits (ECVET) establishment of the Repertorio nazionale of the qualifications for the IVET courses based on LOs. Qualifications issued by the regions, with a national recognition (agreement 19/01/2012) Agreement Stato Regioni (19 April 2012) established the “National Certification system of the competences, anywhere acquired within the Apprenticeship”Adoption of the National Plan on Quality Assurance; establishment of new evaluation systems for Education system and University

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Updating the Italian process: a new phase

2012 Law 92/2012 so-called Fornero’s law : «the labour market reform in a growth perspective»

This law set up: «a national public certification system»

Art. 4 comma 51…[ in coherence with the Europan Union strategy national policies are set up, with agreement state-regions and the Social partners support, …aimed at recognition of knowledge, skills and competences anywhere acquired both at personal and professional level …..;

comma 58 national criteria for validation of non formal and informal learning comma 58/e credits for educational and vocational training progression and

permeability between paths and systems comma 64, set up of «the national public certification system of the competences»

comma 67, set up of a national register of qualifications and degrees based on

standards approved and easily accessible for individuals and institutions

………..

Stages’ summary of the

referencing process in Italy

In 2009 ISFOL was appointed as EQF National Coordination Point (NCP Italy) by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies.

Since the beginning of 20092009 a Technical Group (TG) has been working on the referencing process

Since 2011 Regions were involved in the process, through their technical committee called “Technical Coordinating Authority”; Social Partners participated as well, involved in the main working sessions

Italy intends to submit its Referencing Report on next December 2012, after a its formal approval by the competent authorities

TG is composed of experts from:• Ministry of Labour and Social Policies;• Ministry of Education, University and Research;• Department of UE Policies;• ISFOL – NCP.

The TG has:• carried out a mapping of the Italian Qualifications

Systems on the basis of the EQF key concepts;

• shared referencing choices and opportunities of further inclusion of regional qualifications with the representatives of the national institutions and the Regions and through the involvement of social partners;

the result is the currentReferencing Report

• Last May began the consultation with the international experts that provided valuable feedback for presenting the Italian referencing process in the European context;

• the national consultation began last July until August 17th

The referencing process – how we worked

Structure of the national ReportReport

Section 1

General description of different educational and vocational training systems and sub-systems

Section 2Mapping of those qualifications

issued within the systems and sub-systems analyzed in section 1

Section 3Referencing Framework along with the analysis of

the European criteria as well as of the methodologies and

procedures adopted

Referencing process: start up

Document “Criteria and procedures for referencing National qualifications levels to the EQF “ carried out by the EQF Advisory Group with 10 criteria and procedures outlined for referencing

- “process” criteria - “technical” criteria

Referencing – already set for EQF levels 6.7.8 – for those qualifications referred to the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (Bologna Process)

Referencing the National Qualifications to the EQF levels. Even if those qualifications are not organized in a national framework based on levels, though they present clear correlations and can be inserted in progression routes

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Referencing: methodologies andprocedures adopted

First stage of Referencing in the current Report:

• referencing ALL formal national public qualifications (Ministry of Education) and qualifications based on agreements between State and Regions, consistent with Learning Outcomes approach

• referencing based on an exhaustive relation among qualifications and technical analysis of consistency among Qualification systems and EQF level descriptors (analysis based on descriptive elements useful to the level’s setting: profile, skills/abilities/competences descriptors, etc..)

• contribution of Regions in order to analyze the EQF descriptors with particular reference to the descriptor "competence“

The Second stage will be aimed at :• referencing those regional qualifications (based on LO) not included within State-Regions Agreements. Each Region will be directly involved in the referencing process of the regional qualifications as the role of competent authority. • referencing of those qualifications titles related to regulated professions.

Referencing Framework

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EQF

Level

Qualification Competent Authority Pathway

1 Lower secondary level leaving certificate

Mnistry of Education, University and Research

Three year pathways in lower secondary school

2 Certificate of completion compulsory education

Ministry of Education, University and Research or Regios

At the end of first two years of general upper secondary school, technical school, vocational school, vocational educational and training system (triennial and quadrennial pathways).

3

Diploma of professional operator Ministry of Education, University and Research

Three year pathways in vocational schools

Certificate of professional operator Regions

Three year pathways in vocational educational and training system

Apprenticeship

4

Vocational Diploma of technician Regions Four year pathways in vocational educational and training system Apprenticeship

Classical and scientific upper secondary level leaving certificate

Ministry of Education, University and Research

Five year pathways in lyceum

Apprenticeship

Technical upper secondary level leaving certificate

Ministry of Education, University and Research

Five year pathways in technical schools

Apprenticeship

Vocational upper secondary level leaving certificate

Ministry of Education, University and Research

Five year pathways in vocational schools

Apprenticeship

Certificate of higher technical specialisation

Regions Higher technical Education and training pathways (IFTS)

5 Diploma of high level technician Ministry of Education, University and Research

High level technical training pathways (ITS)

Apprenticeship

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EQF

Level

Qualification Competent Authority Pathway

6

Bachelor degree Ministry of Education, University and Research

Three years pathways (180 credits - CFU)

Apprenticeship

Graduate Diploma (first level)

Ministry of Education, University and Research/high level artistic and musical training

Three years pathways (180 credits - CFA)

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Master’s Degree Ministry of Education, University and Research

Two years pathways (120 credits - CFU)

Apprenticeship

Graduate Diploma (second level)

Ministry of Education, University and Research/high level artistic and musical training

Two year pathways (120 credits - CFA)

First level Master Ministry of Education, University and Research

Minimum one year pathway (min. 60 credits - CFU)

Apprenticeship

Specialized graduate diploma (I)

Ministry of Education, University and Research/High level artistic and musical training

Minimum two year pathways (120 credits - CFA)

Upgrade Diploma or master (I)

Ministry of Education, University and Research/High level artistic and musical training

Minimum one year pathway (min. 60 credits - CFA)

8

Doctoral Degree Ministry of Education, University and Research

Three year pathways

Apprenticeship

Graduate diploma for training research

Ministry of Education, University and Research/high level artistic and musical training

Three year pathways

Specialized Diploma Ministry of Education, University and Research

Minimum two year pathways (120 credits - CFU)

Apprenticeship

Second level Master Ministry of Education, University and Research

Minimum one year pathway (min. 60 credits - CFU)

Apprenticeship

Specialized graduate diploma (II)

Ministry of Education, University and Research/high level artistic and musical training

Minimum two year pathways (120 credits - CFA)

Upgrade Diploma or master (II)

Ministry of Education, University and Research/high level artistic and musical training

Minimum one year pathway (min. 60 credits - CFA)

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The impact of the referenced qualifications

* 1° & 2° cycle of education, initial vocational education, higher education, technical higher education - figures referred to year 2010

Consultation process of the Report

The consultation process:

- Consultation with international experts :

As required from the criterion 7 of the EQF Advisory group document, experts from different countries and different work environments have been involved (Richard Curmi – Senior Manager Malta Qualification Authority; Claudia Gelleni – Senior Manager at CIEP France; Jean Philippe Restoueix – Official of the European Council and member of the EQF Advisory Group; Father Friedrich Bechina – Responsible for the international relations of the Holy See – Vatican State; Adi Kahani – Civil servant at ENIC Israel).

- National public consultation:On line survey targeted to a wide public of national stakeholders, social partners, educational and vocational training actors, citizens.

Consultation with international experts

•Web meeting on the 24th of May 2012: delivery of the Report and guidelines useful for evaluation;•Workshop in Rome on the 13th of June 2012.

Key issues for evaluation and discussion:

1.1. ““Quality” of the ReportQuality” of the Report: capacity to make more transparent and to improve comprehension of the Italian system in the European context (legibility, clarity and completeness of the document).

2.2. ““Quality” of the Referencing processQuality” of the Referencing process: clarity and transparency of the referencing framework ("quality" of procedural choices and methodological arguments used for referencing).

3.3. Remarks and suggestions Remarks and suggestions ::opinions, weak and strong points and suggestions for improvement .

International experts’ feedback (1)

1.1. ““Quality” of the ReportQuality” of the Report: : very clear description of the system at all levels and in all of its cycles.

The experts suggest to clarify the political point of view of the Report as well as the relations between State and Regions on the educational issues.

International experts’ feedback (2)

2.“Quality” of referencing2.“Quality” of referencing:: clear methodological and procedural choices for referencing. The examples of Italian qualifications referenced to the EQF in the annex are useful and understandable.

In order to improve the section:

• the relation with the Qualifications Framework of the Bologna Process should be more explicit;

• the section on quality assurance should be widened;

• the Italian answers to the 10 criteria and procedures formulated by the Advisory Group should be included;

• referencing qualifications to the EQF levels 1 and 2 should be added.

International experts’ feedback (3)

3. Remarks and suggestions3. Remarks and suggestions: :

• qualifications of those regions that are further along in the process should be included in the Report;

• a glossary should be enclosed to the Report as an annex;

• a more explicit involvement of social partners should be desirable;

• a description of further developments concerning the referencing process in Italy after the presentation of the Report to the Advisory Group should be added.

National public consultation

Goals – Goals – share contents of the Report as well as get remarks and suggestions on the Report itself and on the referencing process from:

• Educational and vocational training main actors and users;

• Social partners as well as representatives of labour market and enterprises;

• scientific community and experts;

• citizens.

Terms of involvement:Terms of involvement:

From the 12th of July to the 17th of August a survey on the web sites of the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education, ISFOL, Department of UE Policies.

National public consultation

150 150 questionnaires properly filled in

• According to the 90% of participants the Referencing Report to EQF clearly describes the Italian educational and vocational training system.

National public consultation

• Most of the participants guess that Referencing Framework as well as procedural choices and methodological arguments (section 3 of the Report) are clear and understandable.

Road map

Improving the content of the Report according to the international experts’ feedback and development of the related annexNational consultation

Processing results of the national consultation and optimization of the Report

Updating to the Advisory Group on the referencing process in Italy

Final presentation of the Italian Referencing Report to the Advisory Group

June-Sept. 2012

Sept. 2012

Dec. 2012

Nov. 2012Approval of the Report by the State – Regions Conference