The European Qualifications Framework - Recent developments

1. The European Qualifications Framework - Recent developments Jörg Markowitsch 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH ‘LOST IN TRANSLATION’ Closing Seminar of the QF Embodiment Project, 27th November 2008, Budapest

2. A short history of the EQF Preparation ‚European reference levels for educations and training‘ (CEDEFOP, 2004) Consultation first proposal on EQF (July 2005) consultation process (July - Dec. 2005) final consultation Conference in Budapest (Feb. 2006) Revision expert groups revising the descriptors (March- July 2006) revised proposal on EQF (Sept. 2006) 3s research laboratory, www.3s.co.at

3. EQF – Where are we now? Formal adoption Formal signing of the EQF Recommendation by the Presidents of the European Parliament and the European Council (22 April 2008) Promotion of the EQF ‘Political’ launch in Lisbon (26-27 Nov.2007) ‘Implementation’ launch in Brussels (3-4 June 2008) Implementation of the EQF Countries are invited to refer their national qualifications levels to the EQF by 2010 and to introduce references to EQF in certificates and diplomas by 2012 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH, www.3s.co.at

4. What it is and how it works ‘The EQF encourages countries to relate their qualifications systems or frameworks to the EQF by 2010.’ ‘The core of the EQF are eight reference levels describing what a learner knows, understands and is able to do – 'learning outcomes'.’ ‘The EQF applies to all types of education, training and qualifications, from school education to academic, professional and vocational.’ Source: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc44_en.htm 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH, www.3s.co.at

5. Current activities and working structure Advisory Board ‘Provide overall coherence, Promote transparency of the process of relating NQS to EQF’, Plenary meetings, 2 to 4 times a year Sub-groups of the Advisory Board On referencing criteria, quality assurance and sector issues National Contact Points ‘Relate levels of qualifications to EQF levels, …’ EQF Pilot Projects EQF Project Call 2006, 2007 and 2008, 23 ongoing projects National Qualifications Frameworks 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH, www.3s.co.at

6. National Qualifications Frameworks Having developed NQF: France, Ireland, Malta, UK Developing NQF: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Turkey……. Considering developing NQF: Greece, Norway, Sweden 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH,www.3s.co.at

7. Current challenges and future work Develop criteria & practices for ‘self referencing’ Develop further guidance material, e.g. on ‘Best fit’ Start work on quality assurance of EQF procedures Strengthen the relationship between EHEA and EQF Start to work systematically on the sectoral issue Develop common internet based platform for EQF 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH, www.3s.co.at

8. Activities adressing the challenges Criteria & practices for ‘self & referencing’ ___10 criteria have been developed andrecently agreed upon by the advisory group, compatibility to the EHEA-criteria Guidance Notes ___Explaining the EQF (already available) ___Added value of NQFs (work in progress) ___Further topics (?): Best-Fit, EQF-EHEA relation (?) EQF & EHEQ ___Council of Europe and European University Association (EUA) are members of the Advisory Board and take part in subgroups (e.g. QA) ___Pilot projects focusing on HE, e.g. HE_LEO, Social Sc. 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH,www.3s.co.at

9. Activities adressing the challenges Quality Assurance ___a subgroup of the AG has been established, first meeting took place ___ENQA and ENQA-VET are involved Sector issue ___a subgroup of the AG will soon be established ___a conference took place recently in Thessaloniki, (Nov. 2008) ___Cedefop strongly supports work in this field EQF Web-platform ___a first prototype developed by GHK-Consulting was presented to the last AG meeting 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH, www.3s.co.at

10. Outcomes of the Thessaloniki-Seminar • We need to develop common best cases illustrating the referencing process for different qualifications categories and levels • We need to strengthen the role of analysis and research in supporting tmutual trust towards the referencing process. • We need to develop common ways to describe and categorise qualifications • We need to use the NCPs for networking on referencing, learning outcomes and terminology • We need prototype methods for identifying and defining learning outcomes; • We need to build on certificate supplements (and diploma supplements); 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH, www.3s.co.at

11. Thank you for your attention & I wish us an inspiring discussion Contact: DI Dr. Jörg Markowitsch 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH Wiedner Hauptstraße 18, 1040 Wien Tel +43-1-5850915-15, Fax -99, markowitsch@3s.co.at www.3s.co.at Danube University KremsDr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30A-3500 Krems Tel +43 (0)2732 893 2264 joerg.markowitsch@donau-uni.ac.at www.donau-uni.ac.at 3s Unternehmensberatung GmbH, www.3s.co.at

12. Criteria for self-referencing (1) ‘The responsibilities and/or legal competence of all relevant national bodies involved in the referencing process, including the National Coordination Point, are clearly determined and published by the competent public authorities.’ (Criterion 1) ‘There is a clear and demonstrable link between the qualifications levels in the national qualifications framework or system and the level descriptors of the European Qualifications Framework.’ (Criterion 2) ‘The national framework or qualifications system and its qualifications are based on the principle and objective of learning outcomes and linked to arrangements for validation of non-formal and informal learning and, where these exist, to credit systems.’ (Criterion 3) 3s research laboratory, www.3s.co.at

13. Criteria for self-referencing (2) ‘The procedures for inclusion of qualifications in the national qualifications framework or for describing the place of qualifications in the national qualification system are transparent.’ (Criterion 4) ‘The national quality assurance system(s) for education and training refer (s) to the national qualifications framework or system and are consistent with the relevant European principles and guidelines (as indicated in annex 3 of the Recommendation).’(Criterion 5) ‘The referencing process shall include the stated agreement of the relevant quality assurance bodies.’ (Criterion 6) ‘The referencing process shall involve international experts.’(Criterion 7) 3s research laboratory, www.3s.co.at

14. Criteria for self-referencing (3) ‘The competent national body or bodies shall certify the referencing of the national framework or system with the EQF. One comprehensive report, setting out the referencing and the evidence supporting it shall be published by the competent national bodies, including the National Coordination Point, and shall address separately each of the criteria.’ (Criterion 8) ‘The official EQF platform shall maintain a public listing of member states that have confirmed that they have completed the referencing process, including links to completed referencing reports.’(Criterion 9) ‘Following the referencing process, and in line with the timelines set in the Recommendation, all new qualification certificates, diplomas and Europass documents issued by the competent authorities contain a clear reference, by way of national qualifications systems, to the appropriate European Qualifications Framework level.’ (Criterion 10) 3s research laboratory, www.3s.co.at