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Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing NQFs: The Case of Estonia

Explore the challenges and opportunities facing Estonia in implementing National Qualification Frameworks (NQFs). Learn about the Estonian education and professional qualifications system, including levels and sectors. Discover strategies to integrate formal education with professional qualifications effectively.

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Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing NQFs: The Case of Estonia

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  1. Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing NQFs. The Case of Estonia Olav Aarna Estonian QualificationAuthority Kutsete süsteemi arendamist toetab Euroopa Liit

  2. InfrastructureofQualificationsSystemin Estonia • Ministry of Education and Research: • Examinations and Qualifications Centre • Professional Qualifications Authority • Other ministries: • Regulated professions (teachers, doctors, ...) • Regulated occupations (welding, ...) • Professional associations (related to jurisdiction)

  3. Formal educationsystemin Estonia

  4. Professional qualificationssystemin Estonia • Qualificationsframeworkhas 5 levels (I-III – skilledworkers, IV-V – “whitecollars”) • Labour market isdividedinto 16 sectors • Eachsectorismanagedby a professionalcouncil: • Deveopmentofprofessionalstandards • Awardingofprofessionalqualifications • Major problemsencountered: • Systemisweaklylinkedtoeducationsystem • Systemofprofessionalstandards and awardshaspartiallysectorialnature

  5. Challenges • Overcomecompartmentalizationofformaleducationsystemusing LLL ideologyas a glue • Overcomecompartmentalizationofprofessionalqualificationssystemusing EQF (and NQF) as a glue • Integrateformaleducational and professionalqualificationsinto a singlenationalqualificationssystemwithsolid NQF • Implemententirelycompetencebasedapproach

  6. Conceptual framework • Qualificationssystemisaninterfacebetweensociety and educationsystem • Professional qualificationssystemisaninterfacebetweenlabour market and educationsystem • Qualificationssystems are subsystemsofqualityassurancesystemineducation • Educationsystemencompassesformal, nonformal and informallearning

  7. Professional Qualifications System as an Interface Labour Market (public, private and nongovern- mental sector)‏ Education System (formal, nonformal and informal learning) Profes- sional Quali- fica- tions Sys- tem

  8. Competence cycle Expected competences L A B O U R M A R K E T Natio- nal curri- cula Profes- sional stan- dards Tasks Curri- cula L E A R N I N G Com- peten- cies PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM Profes- sional certifi- cates Qualification awarding Validation Assessment Actual competences

  9. New Professions Act • New 8-level qualifications framework identical to European qualifications framework (EQF) • Entirely competence based approach to qualifications system • Possibility to award primary professional qualification on graduation from VET institution or HEI (starting from January 1, 2011) • Adopted on May 22, 2008 • Inacted on September 1, 2008

  10. Qualifications Frameworks (1) • Could a NQF be flexible? No! • Four models of NQF: • Freely floating apex (0-D model) • Ladder (1-D model) • Book shelf (2-D model) • Library (3-D model) • ...

  11. Qualifications Frameworks (2) EQF= =EKR EKR – Estonian NQF HR – educational QF KR – professional QF HR KR Professio-nal standards National curricula LA- BOUR MAR- KET EDU- CATION SYS- TEM Compe- tencies, qualifi- cations Learning outcomes (diplomas, certificates)

  12. Developments 2008-2013 • ESF program “Development of professional qualifications system” 2008-2013 • Aim: Developsustainable and flexible professional qualifications system better meeting the needs of lifelong learning persons, knowledge based society and economy • Kutsekoda – center of competence for Estonian professional qualifications system!

  13. Opportunities • Redefinebasicconcepts and clearupnationalinterpretations • Developholistic and transparent qualificationssystem • Developholisticqualityassurancesystemforeducation and training • Integrateformal, nonformal and informallearninginto a singlelifelonglearningsystem • ...

  14. Thank you for your attention! www.kutsekoda.ee kutsekoda@kutsekoda.ee

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