On the way to an European
Qualification Framework
EQF & ECVET
BERLIN – 29-11-2006
European Commission, DG EAC – Unit A3
Why an EQF?
2
Problem

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
3
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
4
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
5
Why Learning
outcomes?
6
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
7
Using EQF
8
Country A
Q
Q
Q
Q
9
NQ
F/
NQ
S
NQ
F/
NQ
S
NQ
F/
NQ
S
NQ
F/
NQ
S
Country B
EQF Level 8
EQF Level 7
EQF Level 6
EQF Level 5
EQF Level 4
NQ
F/
NQ
S
NQ
F/
NQ
S
Q
Q
EQF Level 3
EQF Level 2
EQF Level 1
NQ
F/
NQ
S
Q
Swedish postsecondary engineering
education
(Påbygnadsutbildning)
= EQF Level 4
= Irish post secondary
education at national
level 6 (Advanced
certificate)
E
Q
F
Subsidiarity
voluntary
 does not replace national systems
or describe specific qualifications
qualifications placed via national
system
EQF: recommends that MS
1. Use EQF as a reference tool
2. Reference their levels to EQF by
2009
3. Reference new qualifications to
EQF levels by 2011
4. Use learning outcomes approach
5. Designate national EQF centre
EQF: Commission’s role
Support MSs in cooperation,
testing and guidance
Establish EQF advisory group
Report after 5yrs with possible
review of Recommendation
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)
Where do we stand?
Discussion in Council and EP
Aim: Agreement under German
presidency 2007
Leonardo da Vinci projects: test
and develop EQF; develop
national/sectoral frameworks
Who benefits?
Main users will be qualification bodies
Individuals and employers benefit
because EQF
Facilitates reading across systems
Facilitates diverse learning
pathways and access to lifelong
learning
Facilitates mobility for working or
learning
Why ECVET?
17
ECVET is a
political priority
18
ECVET
will improve
mobility
19
ECVET is a priority for
lifelong learning
20
ECVET will improve
transparency
of qualifications
21
ECVET will improve
mutual trust
and cooperation
22
ECVET and EQF
23
Complementarities
between ECVET and EQF
 Based on learning outcomes
 Centred on qualifications
 Emphasis on Lifelong Learning
 Focused on Mobility
 Transparency oriented
24
Complementarities
between ECVET and EQF
ECVET
8 COMMON
REFERENCE
LEVELS
25
Why is ECVET important
for individuals?
26
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
Mr X has an opportunity
for a learning period
abroad
27
Achieved learning outcomes
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
Mr
an opportunity
MrXXhas
achieves
L.O.
for a learning period
abroad
28
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
…and now Mr X
wants to transfer
“home” his new
learning outcomes
to include them for
the qualification
Achieved L.O.
29
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
Transfer Process
Achieved L.O.
30
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
But it’s
difficult,
because of
barriers…
31
• No transparency
But it’s
difficult,
• No mutual
because of
barriers…
trust
• No validation
• No accumulation of
learning outcomes
• No recognition
32
ECVET would help
remove those barriers
33
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
Because competent body A
validates and recognises
learning outcomes achieved
in context B
ECVET would
mean Mr X can
transfer “home” his
new L.O.
Achieved L.O.
34
Qualification
context (A)
Context A
Qualification
—
The learning outcomes
gained are accumulated
and are now an integrated
part of his qualification
35
What is ECVET?
36
37
Credit points
Units
Transfer process
38
Credit points
Units
Transfer process
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
Transcript of
record
Assessment of L.O.
Credit for L.O.
39
Validation of L.O.
Recognition of L.O.
Accumulation of L.O.
40
Credit points
Units
Transfer process
The aim of the ECVET learning
outcomes transfer process
41
A qualification is described in
units of learning outcomes
Knowledge
Unit
Skills
Competence
42
Qualification
The heart of ECVET: Units
43
The heart of ECVET: Units
Qualification
Unit
Unit
Unit
44
Designed at
national level by
competent bodies.
45
Credit points
Units
Transfer process
80 Pts
46
Qualification
ECVET Credit points indicate
the relative weight of units:
an example
Unit
10 Points
Unit
50 Points
Unit
20 Points
Allocation of ECVET credit points
 To a qualification then to units
 Different approaches are
possible
 Convention in the formal
context
47
What is the role of the
‘competent bodies’?
48
Linking qualifications to ECVET:
the role of the ‘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
49
Using ECVET: ‘Competent bodies’
and VET providers are involved in:
50

Individual’s learning agreement

Assessment of learning outcomes

Award of credits

Validation

Transfer

Recognition

…
Roadmap towards
ECVET
51
ECVET: procedure for
2006-2007

Launch the consultation (November 2006 March 2007)*

Conference in Germany June 2007

Preparation of the final proposal

Adoption process

Implementation in Member States
*Consultation document on:
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/consult/index_en.htm
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