Qualifications Frameworks Introduction Making Connections ...

1 Qualifications Frameworks Introduction Making Connections for You NFQ. Irish National framework of Qualifications EQF. European Qualifications framework QF-EHEA. Qualifications framework for the European higher education Area Supported by the Erasmus+ Make the Programme of the European Union Connection Introduction Qualifications Frameworks Introduction Qualifications Frameworks describe the Qualifications of an education system and how European education and Training 2020 goals they interlink. National Qualifications Frameworks describe what learners should know, understand and be able to do on the basis of a given qualification . These Frameworks also show how learners can move from one qualification , By 2020, at least 95% of children, between the age of four and the age when or qualification level, to another within a system. Over 150 countries are they begin compulsory primary education , should participate in early childhood now developing, or have developed, a national Qualifications framework .

2 education . Reduce the proportion of early school-leavers to below 10% by 2020. By 2020, at least 40% of 30-34 year-olds will have completed tertiary education . Qualifications Frameworks are not just at national level, there are also European and other regional Qualifications Frameworks . The European Qualifications framework and At least 82% of employed graduates (20-34 year-olds who have successfully the Qualifications framework for the European higher education Area are overarching completed upper secondary or tertiary education ) will have left education in the previous 1-3 years. systems that link different countries' Qualifications systems together. They act as translation devices to make Qualifications easier to understand across different countries At least 20% of graduates from higher education , and 6% of 18-34 year-olds with and Qualifications systems in Europe and beyond.

3 Their main aim is to help people moving an initial vocational qualification , should have spent some time studying or training abroad. from one country to another to work, or to continue their education or training. The Irish National framework of Qualifications (NFQ). 12% of Irish people have spent 32% of Irish people have spent 12% some time studying abroad in 32% some time working abroad in the EU. the EU. The Irish NFQ was established in 2003. The NFQ is a framework through which all learning achievements may be measured and related to each 93% of young people in Ireland NFQ. other in a coherent way. Qualifications are organised within the NFQ EU citizens from outside of are expected to graduate from Irish National 10% Ireland account for over 10% of 93%. based on their level of knowledge, skill and competence. There are many upper secondary education in framework of total employment in Ireland.

4 Qualifications different types and sizes of Qualifications included in the NFQ and their lifetimes. because all Qualifications included in the NFQ are quality assured you 76% of Irish people felt that Ireland is the best European can have confidence that they will be recognised at home and abroad. it was easy to get information performer in terms of the 76% on having your skills and proportion of people completing Qualifications recognised higher education . Quality and Qualifications in Europe. Ireland (QQI) has responsibility to develop, promote and 1,060,000 200,000. maintain the Irish NFQ. QQI. full time learners also facilitates the recognition learners in across the system higher education of foreign Qualifications . Find out more at AWARDING AWARDING. AWARDING BODIES. AWARDING BODIES. BODIES. BODIES AWARDS AWARDS. IN. AWARDS ININ. THE framework . AWARDS IN THE THE. THE framework .

5 framework . framework 860,000 270,000. AWARDING BODIES. Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) makes awards in further and ThereThere are four AWARDS IN THE framework . There are four classes of award in the National framework of Qualifications : ofclasses in of theaward inFramework the framework National framework of Qualifications : learners in Further There are four areclasses four classes award of award in National the National of Qualifi of Qualifi cations: cations: Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) makes awards in further and QualityQuality and Qualifi and Qualifi cations cations IrelandIreland (QQI) makes (QQI) makes awardsawards in further in further and and There are four classes of award in the National framework of Qualifications : higher education higher Quality -and higher SEC. education State and training higher education and training Qualifi education cations and training Examinations and training Commission Ireland (QQI) makes awards in further and (Department of education and Skills).

6 Major Awards: named in the outer rings, are the principal class of awards made at a level young people at school higher SEC ofeducation - State SEC. Institutes SEC - State Examinations andCommission - Examinations training State Examinations Technology Commission Commission (Department (Department (Department of education of Educationof education andand Skills). and Skills). Skills). Major Minor Awards: are Major Awards: Minor Minor Supplemental Awards: Major for partial Awards: Awards: named are for Awards: are for learning named Awards: completion ofinthe are thenamed partial that isfor outer in the rings, outcomes Major partial outer are rings, in athe for Awards: completion additional completion to the of the a Major are principal outer Major Award named of the outcomes Award principal rings,class are ofclass inforthe the outcomes theawards outer a Major for of awards made made principal rings, a Major Award at a level class atof a level awards made at a level are the principal class of awards made at a level Award education and Training Universities Institutes Institutes of Technology of Technology SEC - State Examinations Commission (Department of education and Skills) Minor Awards.

7 Are for partial completion of the outcomes for a Major Award Special PurposeSupplemental Awards: are for relatively narrow Institutes of Technology SupplementalAwards: are fororare Awards: purpose-specifi learning that iscthat for learning achievement additional is additional to a Major to a Major AwardAward Supplemental Minor Awards: are for partial completion of the outcomes for a Major Award Awards: forare for learning orthat is additional to a Major Award Universities Universities Universities Institutes of Technology Special Purpose Special Awards: Purpose are Awards:forare relatively narrow relatively or purpose-specifi narrow c achievement purpose-specifi c achievement Universities Special PurposeSupplemental Awards: Awards: are for arenarrow relatively for learning that is additional or purpose-specifi to a Major Award c achievement Special Purpose Awards: are for relatively narrow or purpose-specific achievement For further Information consult: QQI 2014.

8 The European Qualifications framework (EQF). Nearly three-quarters of Only 9% of Europeans say they 73 % EU citizens agree that their 9. % know the level of the European education or training has Qualifications framework The EQF is an overarching framework that links the Qualifications provided them with the to which their Qualifications necessary skills to find a job in correspond, while 21% have Frameworks of different European countries together. It covers line with their Qualifications . 21% heard about the European Qualifications at all levels and in all sub-systems of education and Qualifications framework . training (general and adult education , vocational education and training as well as higher education ). Across the EU around 55% of During 2013 on average across 55 % early leavers from education and the EU, of persons aged training are jobless. The main role of the EQF is to make Qualifications more readable and understandable 25-64 participated in some EQF.

9 Across different countries and systems. In this way, the EQF supports individual mobility form of lifelong learning activity. European Qualifications and lifelong learning, helping those moving from one country to another to work, or to In some countries over 30%. of adults took part in lifelong 214m There were 214 million framework continue their education or training. European countries are encouraged to develop their international migrants in 2010;. learning during 2013. 400m there could be 400 million in 2050. national Qualifications systems and to link those systems to the EQF. Ireland completed the referencing of the Irish NFQ to the EQF in 2009. Find out more on the EFQ by visiting Learning Opportunities and Qualifications in Europe Today, in Europe some 76. 76m million 25-64 year olds, roughly equivalent to the combined total populations of Italy, Hungary and Austria, have either low Qualifications or no Qualifications at all.

10 The Qualifications framework for the European higher education Area (QF-EHEA) 48% Europe is an attractive market for Access to higher levels of international students. education has expanded steadily over the past decade, yet there Europe hosts 48% of higher are significant differences across The European higher education Area (EHEA) aims to facilitate education students studying countries. outside of their country of origin, cooperation between systems, institutions, and individual staff and 21% while North America hosts 21%. students throughout the EHEA. This will make European higher education known and appreciated throughout the world. 48 countries worldwide are participating in the EHEA, working to implement its goals for quality and mobility. A population with high Qualifications and skills makes the European Union a strong The EHEA now includes the concept of a Qualifications framework with an emphasis on competitor.