National qualifications framework launched

The National Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning, which pigeonholes every qualification obtained in Malta into eight levels, was launched yesterday by Education Minister Louis Galea.

The framework is considered to be an important link in the reform of Malta's educational system. It was also a step towards making the island a centre of excellence in training and education, Dr Galea said.

Based on the European Qualifications Framework, it is the result of a consultation process that kicked off in November and will culminate in a national conference in September.

Malta is to become one of the first countries in Europe to operate its educational system on the basis of a National Qualifications Framework, together with the UK, France and Ireland.

The framework provides Malta with a map of every level of qualification that can be acquired, providing clear information to employers and employees. It will also serve to better organise the labour market and facilitate movement within it.

Dr Galea said the framework could also encourage more people to feel the need for lifelong education.

Described as an important development in Malta's educational culture, the framework would allow for the recognition of skills acquired also outside formal education.

The government was creating a process to certify skills acquired throughout life, which could be translated into formal qualifications, the minister said.

The framework has been developed by the Malta Qualifications Council, chaired by Charles Mizzi and headed by James Calleja. They presented four documents, dealing with the framework and with quality assurance and guidelines for a vocational education and training system for the framework.

These are to be discussed with stakeholders in the field over the coming months, so that the finalised framework could be put into practice.

The council is aiming to change the country's qualifications culture from the assessment of knowledge to a comprehensive coverage of competencies that go beyond institutional education.

Based on the European processes that started in 1999 in Bologna and 2002 in Copenhagen, which led to the European Qualifications Framework, Malta unites vocational, obligatory and higher education, incorporating qualifications obtained from institutions of formal teaching, as well as work experience and other training.

The major investment in education had to be complemented with a qualification system, Dr Galea maintained, so that the country would recognise, in a legal form, the skills of its citizens.

The framework, he said, was a tool that took the concept of lifelong learning to a more tangible level and was also important in terms of employability.