National Qualifications Framework Development A work in process

1. National Qualifications Framework DevelopmentA work in process Strasbourg, 9 November 2009

2. General comments • 24 countries answered • The Swot analyses are very different from declaration to start to very clear reflection on the developments • Some of the elements mentioned as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities or Threats are often perceived as on the border line ( depending on the point of view a threat can be an opportunity, a strength a weakness) • The developments of NQF are socio-culturally marked; the general situation in a given country influences the NQF

3. STRENGHTS • The size of the country (for smaller ones) • Based on the local specific needs • Join HEI and political will to develop QF • Contribution of different stakeholders: • Increase of communication and co-operation between them • the process is visible for the public • the network and the international support in the developments • The link with the 2 overarching frameworks

4. strengths • It helps to make more clear and transparent the HE systems • Internationally to make national qualifications more comparable • To include the ENIC centre in the reflection • The support to LLL • To reinforce the relations with employers

5. Weaknesses • Discontinuity of the political will • Question of terminology, semantic and translation of terms • The understanding of learning outcomes is poor • Definitions of competences; relations between knowledge, skills, attitudes are still largely unclear • Where to put some learning outcomes in terms of level is problematic • The public is not aware of the developments, it can be confused by them • The Bologna Process is not well known • The relation between degrees issued through « old » and « new » systems is difficult • No clear administrative body in charge

6. Weaknesses • Not enough finance to have a clear structure and methodology • The relations of HEI and VET are difficult • The advantages and reasons for labour market are not clear • The involment of employers is poor • The methodology how to develop QF is still not coherent

7. Opportunities • The society is aware of the importance of QF developments • The NQF is part of the whole reform process of Higher Education • To facilitate the recognition process within the EHEA • To increase international mobility • To contribute to internationalization of HE • It makes all Higher Education System more transparent • Support from international institutions • It increases the cooperation between HEI and VET • General information on QF is available on the web

8. Threats • Society is tired of the constant reforms • interdependancy to neighboring countries • The transition to a knowledge based society is not accepted by the whole society • To based on formal Qualifications systems which were not based on learning outcomes • Low engagement of employers; unclear expectations from their side • Where are the students in the whole process? • Too many stakeholders can create conflict of interests • The process to be perceived as a pure bureaucratic one

9. Threats • The large number of certifications can make the whole understanding of the system more difficult and less transparent • The risk of a considerable fragmentation of skills and competences in the field of qualifications • Little chance is given to individual without any qualifications to find a job • The relationships between the 2 overarching frameworks can generate confusion for the stakeholders

10. Challenges • Will NQF make the whole reform process more transparent and understable for all stakeholders and the public or in contrary more obscure? • We use the same terms but do we meant the same things? • What could be/ will be the impact of NQF to recognition?