Developing Qualifications Frameworks in EU Partner Countries

Description

This publication puts forward the view that qualifications systems are useful tools for modernising education and training.

Qualifications systems are useful tools for modernising education and training. This publication focuses on the reality of policy development in different countries. After reminding the reader that education and training systems, and therefore qualifications systems, are always closely integrated with a country’s social and cultural priorities, this volume shows that there is evidence from a range of countries that learning can be enhanced by developing the recognition of learning through qualifications and by defining qualifications levels.

List of Figures and Tables; Acknowledgements; Contributors; Foreword; Preface; SECTION I. QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORKS: TOOLS FOR IMPROVEMENT; Introduction; Concepts of Qualification; National Qualifications Frameworks; Supporting Structures: Laws and Institutions; Can Qualifications Frameworks Improve the Quality of Learning Provision?; SECTION II. THE INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE; The European Qualifications Framework; The Development of NQFs in the EU; Trends in the Recognition and Validation of Learning; Qualifications Frameworks in an International Context; SECTION III. NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS IN THE ETF PARTNER COUNTRIES; The Potential of Qualifications Systems in ETF Partner Countries; Current Developments in the Partner Countries; Russia and Ukraine; Southern Caucasus; Central Asia; The Mediterranean Partners; South Eastern Europe; Concluding Remarks; Annex

Subjects

• Books
• Education

Informations

• Published by: Anthem Press
• Published: 01 February 2011
• Reads: 0
• EAN13: 9780857286581
• Language: English
• Document size: 1 MB

Exrait

Developing Qualifications Frameworks in EU Partner Countries

Developing Qualifications Frameworks in EU Partner Countries

Modernising Education and Training

Edited by JeanMarc Castejon, Borhène Chakroun, Mike Coles, Arjen Deij and Vincent McBride

Anthem Press An imprint of Wimbledon Publishing Company www.anthempress.com

This edition first published in UK and USA 2011 by ANTHEM PRESS 7576 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HA, UK or PO Box 9779, London SW19 7ZG, UK and 244 Madison Ave. #116, New York, NY 10016, USA

© European Training Foundation 2011

The information and views set out in this book are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Training Foundation or those of the European Union Institutions.

The moral right of the authors has been asserted.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested.

ISBN13: 978 0 85728 984 1 (Hbk) ISBN10: 0 85728 984 5 (Hbk)

This title is also available as an eBook.

List of Figures and Tables Acknowledgements Contributors Foreword Preface

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Section 1. Qualifications Frameworks: Tools for Improvement Chapter 1 Introduction  1.1 A Short History of Country Involvement in the NQF Project  1.2 NQF Developments from the Perspective of EU Accession  1.3 NQFs in EU Countries  1.4 Obstacles to Increasing the Volume and Quality of Learning  1.5 The Tourism Sector  1.6 Goals for Countries  1.7 More and Better Lifelong Learning  References

Chapter 2

Concepts of Qualification 2.1 What Does ‘Qualification’ Mean? 2.2 Understandings of the Qualification Process  2.2.1 Learning  2.2.2 Assessment  2.2.3 Validation  2.2.4 Certification  2.2.5 Recognition

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Chapter 3

Chapter 4

DEVELOPING QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS

2.3 Learning Outcomes and Competence 2.4 Competent Bodies and Underpinning Standards 2.5 Qualification Levels 2.6 How is Qualification Used in Specific Countries? References

National Qualifications Frameworks 3.1 NQFs are Not New 3.2 Structures and Associated Functions of NQFs 3.3 Typology 3.4 The Potential of NQFs to Add Value  3.4.1 Increased Consistency of Qualifications  3.4.2 Better Transparency for Individuals and Employers  3.4.3 Increased Currency of Single Qualifications  3.4.4 Broader Range of Learning Forms Recognised  3.4.5 A National/External Reference Point for Qualifications Standards  3.4.6 Clarification of Learning Pathways and Progression  3.4.7 Increased Portability of Qualifications  3.4.8 A Platform for Stakeholders for Strengthening Cooperation and Commitment  3.4.9 Greater Coherence of National Reform Policies  3.4.10 A Stronger Basis for International Cooperation, Understanding and Comparison 3.5 Realistic Expectations 3.6 Stages in the Development of NQFs 3.7 Evidence of Effectiveness References

Supporting Structures: Laws and Institutions 4.1 The Scope of Legal Structures  4.1.1 Stages in Developing Laws  4.1.2 How Can Legal Frameworks Change the Governance of Qualifications Systems? 4.2 NQFs and Legal Documents 4.3 The Status of NQF Legislation

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Chapter 5

CONTENTS

4.4 Forms of Legal Frameworks that Introduce an NQF 4.5 Institutions Involved in the Management of Qualifications Systems 4.6 Expectations for a New Qualifications Body 4.7 Funding of Qualifications Bodies 4.8 Conclusion

CanQualificationsFrameworksImprove the Quality of Learning Provision? 5.1 Shaping Quality: Outcome vs. Institutional Approaches 5.2 Factors Influencing the Quality of Learning and Quality Indicators for NQFs  5.2.1 Improving the Relevance of Learning Outcomes  5.2.2 Improving the Acceptance of Learning Outcomes by Different Stakeholders and Institutions  5.2.3 Increasing Opportunities in Terms of What Individuals Can Do with What they have Learned  5.2.4 Helping Providers and Learners to Decide What and How to Teach and Learn  5.2.5 Improving the Efficiency and Equity of Learning 5.3 Linking Qualifications Systems Reforms and Quality Enhancement 5.4 Conclusions References

Section 2. The International Perspective

Chapter 6

The European Qualifications Framework 6.1 The Statutory Basis of the EQF 6.2 Implementing the EQF 6.3 The EQF as a Reform Instrument 6.4 Learning by Doing 6.5 The EQF in EU Member States 6.6 Referencing National Qualification Levels to the EQF

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Chapter 7

Chapter 8

DEVELOPING QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS

6.7 The EQF Beyond the EU Member States 6.8 Conclusions References

The Development of NQFs in the EU 7.1 Introduction 7.2 NQF Development in the EU  7.2.1 Conceptualisation Stage  7.2.2 Design Stage  7.2.3 Testing and Implementation Stage  7.2.4 Implemented (Review Stage) 7.3 The Objectives of NQFs 7.4 The Level Structure of NQFs 7.5 The Level Descriptors 7.6 Ownership of NQFs 7.7 Challenges  7.7.1 Political Instruments  7.7.2 Towards Learning Outcomes  7.7.3 Allocating Qualifications to NQF Levels  7.7.4 Qualification Types  7.7.5 NQFs and Nonformal and Informal Learning  7.7.6 Tailoring NQFs to the National Context 7.8 Conclusions References

TrendsintheRecognitionandValidation of Learning 8.1 Background and Context 8.2 The Interplay between NQF Development and the Validation of Learning Processes 8.3 The Situation in the EU  8.3.1 The Link with Formal Education and Training Systems  8.3.2 Policy Breadth  8.3.3 Incrementalism 8.4 The Situation in the ETF Partner Countries  8.4.1 The Legal Standing of VNFIL  8.4.2 The Expansion of Adult Education to Support Validation  8.4.3 Developing Trust and Value in Relation to Validation and Assessment Processes

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Chapter 9

CONTENTS

 8.4.4 The Critical Role of Standards  8.4.5 The Involvement of Social Partners and Other Stakeholders  8.4.6 The Need for Credible Assessment Processes  8.4.7 Awarding Qualifications that Count 8.5 Conclusion References

QualificationsFrameworksinan International Context 9.1 A Trio of Changes 9.2 Developments in National Frameworks 9.3 Developments in Regional Frameworks 9.4 Conclusions References

Section 3. National Qualifications Frameworks in the ETF Partner Countries Chapter 10 The Potential of Qualifications Systems in ETF Partner Countries  10.1 Introduction  10.2 NQF Myths and Misunderstandings  10.3 NQF as a Lever for Reforms  10.4 Implementing NQFs  10.5 Conclusion  References

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

CurrentDevelopmentsinthe Partner Countries 11.1 Regional Characteristics 11.2 Reasons for Involvement in the NQF Project 11.3 The Response of Countries to the NQF Project 11.4 ETF Support

Russia and Ukraine 12.1 Russia  12.1.1 Introduction  12.1.2 Requirements for the Project  12.1.3 Initial Stages of the Project  12.1.4 Recent Developments

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Chapter 14

DEVELOPING QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS

 12.1.5 Future Actions  12.1.6 Relevant Opinions 12.2 Ukraine  12.2.1 Introduction  12.2.2 Challenges for the Qualifications System  12.2.3 A New Law on a Ukrainian NQF

Southern Caucasus 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Armenia  13.2.1 Introduction  13.2.2 Reforming Education and Training  13.2.3 VET Qualifications  13.2.4 The ETF NQF Project in Armenia  13.2.5 Occupational Profiles  13.2.6 Conclusions 13.3 Georgia  13.3.1 Introduction  13.3.2 Management of NQF Development  13.3.3 The ETF NQF Project  13.3.4 Working with Sectors  13.3.5 The Department for VET Development  13.3.6 The Georgian National Vocational Qualifications Framework ( VET GNQF )  13.3.7 Conclusion 13.4 Azerbaijan  13.4.1 Introduction  13.4.2 Aspects of the Current Qualifications System that Require Modernisation  13.4.3 Sector Approach  13.4.4 Challenges for a Qualification Framework  13.4.5 Acknowledgements

Central Asia 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Kazakhstan  14.2.1 Introduction  14.2.2 Vocational Education and Training  14.2.3 The Modernisation Agenda  14.2.4 New Laws, New Institutions and Progress

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