Qualifications framework for EU states proposed

The European Commission last week proposed a European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (EQF), with the aim of providing a common language to describe qualifications. This will help students, employers and member states compare qualifications across the EU's diverse education and training systems.

Ján Figel, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism, said: "People in Europe too often face obstacles when they try to move from one country to another to learn or work, or when they want to build upon previous education or training. The EQF will help to solve that problem: it will make different national qualifications more understandable across Europe, and so promote access to education and training. Once adopted, it will increase mobility for learning or working. We believe the EQF is a key initiative in creating more jobs and growth, helping people in Europe to face the challenges of a globalising, knowledge-based world economy."

The Commission said the framework will help individuals, employers and education and training providers to compare individual qualifications from different countries and education and training systems. With regards to individuals and students, the framework will make it easier to describe their broad level of competence to recruiters in other countries and it will make it simpler to read across from one qualification system to another.

With regards to employers, the framework will make it easier to interpret the qualifications of foreign applicants.

"If implemented at the national level, the EQF will also facilitate lifelong learning and so assist staff in developing their skills and acquiring new qualifications," the Commission said.

As an instrument for the promotion of lifelong learning, the EQF will encompass general and adult education, vocational education and training as well as higher education. The framework's core element is a set of eight reference levels, covering the entire span of qualifications from those achieved at the end of compulsory education to those awarded at the highest level of academic and professional or vocational education and training.

The shift towards learning outcomes rather than the traditional method based on aspects such as the length of a course, supports a better match between the needs of the labour market (for knowledge, skills and competences) and education and training provisions. It also facilitates the validation of non-formal and informal learning and the transfer and use of qualifications across different countries and education and training systems, the Commission explained.

The draft recommendation foresees member states relating their national qualifications systems to the EQF by 2009. Although the states do not necessarily need to create a framework, each country will be encouraged to create its own national framework and relate their qualifications system to the EQF.

"It will therefore enable individuals and employers to use the EQF as a reference tool to compare the qualifications levels of different countries and different education and training systems, for example vocational training and higher education. The EQF will function as a type of translation device to make relationships between qualifications and different systems clearer," the Commission said.

The framework is being proposed under the Education And Training 2010 work programme, following consultation with the EU member states, the social partners and other stakeholders. It is expected to begin by the end of next year.