EUROPEAN UNION
EDUCATION POLICY TOOLS
PRESENTED BY DR SHYAM PATIAR
NQF
Qualifications by level across the NQF and QCF
EQF
The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is an
overarching qualifications framework that links the
qualifications of different countries together.
The aims of the EQF are to help develop a European-wide workforce that is
mobile and flexible, and to aid lifelong learning.
Benefits of the EQF
For employers and learning providers, the EQF will make it easier to compare the
level of qualifications from different national systems.
EQF System
The EQF uses eight levels that are based on the knowledge, skills and
competence required to achieve the qualification. The eight levels cover the
entire span of qualifications.
DESCRIPTORS DEFINING LEVELS IN THE EQF
Level Knowledge
Example
1
Basic general knowledge
Vocational high school
2
Basic factual knowledge of a field of work or study
Vocational high school
3
Knowledge of facts, principles, processes and general concepts,
in a field of work or study
4
Factual and theoretical knowledge in broad contexts within a
field of work or study
Higher diploma
5
Comprehensive, specialised, factual and theoretical knowledge
within a field of work or study and awareness of the boundaries of
that knowledge
Bachelor of Arts
6
Advanced knowledge of a field of work or study, involving a
critical understanding of theories and principles
7
Highly specialised knowledge at the forefront of knowledge in a
field of work or study, as the basis of original thinking and/or
research , critical awareness of knowledge issues in a field and at
the interface between different fields
8
Knowledge at the most advanced frontier of a field of work or
study and at the interface between fields
Vocational college
diploma
Honours Bachelor
Degree
Masters
Doctorate
The work to
reference the UK
frameworks to the
EQF has been
completed. The
referencing of the
levels in the UK
frameworks to EQF
is illustrated in the
following table:
EQF
QCF
CQFW
SCQF
EHEA (Bologna)
8
8
8
12
3rd Cycle
7
7
7
11
2nd Cycle
6
6
6
10/9
1st Cycle
5
5/4
5/4
8/7
Short Cycle
4
3
3
6
3
2
2
5
2
1
1
4
1
E3
E3
3
E2
E2
2
E1
E1
1
SCOPE OF THE EQF
The EQF will relate different countries' national
qualifications systems to a common European
reference framework. Individuals and employers will
be able to use the EQF to better understand and
compare the qualifications levels of different
countries and different education and training
systems.
The EQF will not:
replace existing national qualifications systems or require them to be adjusted in
any way.
Countries will not be required to sign up to the EQF – it is voluntary.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATION
(ISCED) 2011
Level 8
Academic or Professional
Level 7
Academic or Professional
19-21 years
(3 years)
Level 6
Academic or Professional
Doctoral or equivalent
level
Masters or equivalent
level
Bachelors or
equivalent level
Tertiary Education
Level 5
General or Vocational
Level 4
Post Secondary
Non-Tertiary Education
General or Vocational
17-18 years
(2 years)
12-16 years
(5 years)
7-11 years
(5 years)
3-6 years
(4 years)
0-2 years
(2 years)
Level 3
General or Vocational
Level 2
General or Vocational
Upper Secondary
Education
Lower Secondary
Education
Level 1
Primary education
Level 02
Pre-Primary Education
Level 01
Early Childhood
Educational
Development
Published by UNESCO – Institute for Statistics, 2011
Secondary Education
Early Childhood
Education
ECVET
Linked European Initiatives to support ECVET
ECVET forms part of a range of European initiatives to strengthen and
help to make European mobility a reality for many more people. Other
initiatives linked to support ECVET are:
EQF (European Qualifications Framework) is a reference framework that
acts as a translation device comparing qualifications and levels across
Europe.
EQAVET (European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for VET)
aims to promote mutual trust and understanding across European VET
systems and providers by promoting transparency and intelligibility in
the practice of quality assurance.
EUROPASS aims to make skills and qualifications clearly and easily
understood in Europe ‐ whether enrolling on an education or training
programme, looking for a job, or getting experience abroad.
ESCO (European Skills, Competences and Occupations) aims to link the
national data systems in Europe describing the occupations in the
national labour markets and the skills and competences needed for
jobs.
WHY ECVET?
• ECVET for mobility and recognition
• ECVET for lifelong learning
• ECVET for attractiveness of VET
ECVET IS BASED ON:
• Learning outcomes - statements of knowledge, skills and
competence that can be achieved in a variety of learning
contexts.
• Units of learning outcomes that are components of qualifications.
Units can be assessed, validated and recognised.
• ECVET points, which provide additional information about units and
qualifications in a numerical form.
• Credit for assessed Units. Credit can be transferred and
accumulated to achieve a qualification.
• Mutual trust and partnership among participating organisations are
expressed in memoranda of understanding and learning
agreements.
Although ECVET is underpinned by European legislation, participation
is voluntary and national protocols are respected.
In 2014 the European Parliament and the Council will review and
evaluate the first stage of ECVET implementation and, if required, they
will readjust their Recommendations.
ECTS
The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)
aims to make study programmes in Europe easier to read and
compare. It assigns credits to course components based on the
student workload required to achieve the objectives of the
particular course of study. These objectives are usually described in
terms of the learning outcomes of the course and the
competencies to be acquired.
ECTS was introduced as part of the Erasmus framework in 1989. It is
the only credit system which has been successfully used across
Europe, and began life solely as a credit transfer system. In helping
European countries to mutually recognise periods of study abroad
it assists student mobility. More recently, ECTS has developed into a
credit accumulation system to be implemented at institutional,
regional, national and European level. It ties in closely with the
Bologna Process objectives of establishing a system of credits and
the adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable
degrees for the European Higher Education Area.
ECTS
The workload of a full-time student during one academic year is
calculated to be 60 ECTS credits. Workload refers to the average
time a learner might be expected to reach the required learning
outcomes. ECTS credits can only be obtained after appropriate
assessment of the learning outcomes the student has achieved.
ECTS makes teaching and learning in higher education more
transparent across Europe and facilitates the recognition of all
studies. The system allows for the transfer of learning experiences
between different institutions, greater student mobility and more
flexible routes to gain degrees. It also aids curriculum design and
quality assurance.
EQAVET
The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for
Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET) is the outcome of a
Recommendation, adopted by EU Member States in June 2009,
from the European Commission to establish a reference instrument
to help Member States to promote and monitor continuous
improvement of their VET systems based on common European
references. The aim of EQAVET is to contribute to quality
improvement in VET and to increased transparency of, and
consistency in, VET policy developments between Member States,
thereby promoting mutual trust, mobility of workers and learners,
and lifelong learning.
EQAVET LIST OF INDICATORS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Relevance of quality assurance systems for VET providers
Investment in training of teachers and trainers
Participation rate in VET programmes
Completion rate in VET programmes
Placement rate in VET programmes
Utilisation of acquired skills at the workplace
Unemployment rate
Prevalence of vulnerable groups
Mechanisms to identify training needs in the labour market
Schemes used to promote better access to VET
EQAVET
EQAVET is a reference tool for policy-makers based on a four-stage
quality cycle that includes goal setting and planning,
implementation, evaluation and review.
Member States are encouraged to use the framework, and
develop, by mid-2011, a national approach to improving quality
assurance systems that involves all relevant stakeholders. This
approach should include the establishment of national reference
points for quality assurance, as well as active participation in the
relevant European-level network.
EUROPASS
Europass is a new initiative which aims to help people make their
skills and qualifications clearly and easily understood in Europe,
thus facilitating the mobility of both learners and workers. The
Europass documents have been designed in such a way as to
help people chronicle their skills and competences in a coherent
manner, whether they are planning to enroll in an education or
training programme, looking for a job, or getting experience
abroad.
Europass consists of a portfolio of five documents as follows:
Two documents which individuals can complete independently
EUROPASS
Europass consists of a portfolio of five documents as follows:
Two documents which individuals can complete independently
• Europass Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Europass Language Passport
Three documents which are completed by the competent
organisation on behalf of the individual • Europass Mobility
• Europass Certificate Supplement
• Europass Diploma Supplement
EUROPASS BENEFITS
Europass has five main benefits associated with it, the principal ones
being:
1.
It will help citizens to convey their qualifications and competences
in an effective way
2.
It provides a comprehensive tool for users based on an accessible
electronic format
3.
It enables people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to
gain access to opportunities for learning and employment
throughout Europe, particularly by helping people to move
between countries or across employment sectors
4.
It will promote strong links between education and training,
business and industry, ensuring the continuing relevance and
adequate appreciation of competences and qualifications
5.
Europass is an open system that supports European policy
developments related to the transparency of competences and
qualifications
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION