International Qualifications Frameworks Conference 15 April
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European Qualifications Framework National Qualifications Frameworks and the European Overarching Frameworks: Supporting Lifelong Learning in European Education and Training Creatlacha Cáilíochtaí Náisiúnta agus na Creatlacha Uileghabhálacha Eorpacha: Ag Tacú leis an bhFoghlaim ar feadh an tSaoil in Oideachas agus in Oiliúint Eorpach 15 APRIL 2010 15 AIBREÁN 2010 DUBLIN CASTLE CAISLEÁN BHAILE ÁTHA CLIATH Irish Bologna Expert Conference Comhdháil Saineolaithe Phróiseas Bologna na hÉireann Brand Identity Variations The variations enable the identity to be reproduced on white / cream / coloured backgrounds, and in black and white. There are three variations allowed for the reproduction of the identity. These variations apply to both landscape and portrait versions of the identity. Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna Further Education and Training Awards Council Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna Further Education and Training Awards Council For dark background Comhairle na nDámhachtainí This logo has a white keyline and white text. Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna Further Education and It should be used on dark backgrounds to Training Awards Council ensure it is clearly legible. Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna Further Education and Training Awards Council For light backgrounds This logo has a white keyline and coloured text. Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna It should be used on light backgrounds to ensure Further Education and Training Awards Council it is clearly legible. Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna Further Education and Training Awards Council Black & White version Comhairle na nDámhachtainí This black and white logo should be used for any Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna Further Education and material which is being reproduced in black & Training Awards Council white. Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna Further Education and Training Awards Council Mono version Comhairle na nDámhachtainí This logo is created out of black only. It should Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna Further Education and only be used when material is being reproduced Training Awards Council in black only. For example, fax or photocopying. Comhairle na nDámhachtainí Breisoideachais agus Oiliúna Further Education and Training Awards Council Programme/Clár 8.30 Registration and refreshments 9.00 Opening addresses: Facilitator – Pat Leahy, Poitical Editor, Sunday Business Post Sean Haughey, T.D., Minister for Lifelong Learning Michael Kelly, Chair of Higher Education Authority Paul Haran, Chair of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland Gordon Clark, Head of Unit 1, Co-ordination of Lifelong Learning Policies at Directorate for Education and Culture, European Commission 9.40 Overview of Conference Themes Bryan Maguire, Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) 10.30 Coffee 11.15 Reactions to issues: Why two meta-frameworks? Mike Coles, Senior Researcher, Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency, England Edwin Mernagh, Independent Consultant Reactions from Irish National Team of Bologna Experts 12.00 Reactions to issues: Role of qualifications frameworks in relation to recognition and mobility Wilfried Boomgaert, Flemish Ministry of Education and Training (Belgium) Bartley Rock, Bologna Expert and former USI Education Officer Elisabeth Sonnenschein, Central Office for Foreign Education in the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany Irish Bologna Expert Conference 12.40 Reactions to issues: European Directives and qualifications frameworks Stan Lester, Independent Consultant Anne-Marie Ryan, Chair of the Working Group Education Training & Competencies (WG ETC) of the European Council of Nursing Regulators (FEPI) and Chief Education Officer, An Bord Altranais 13.20 Lunch 14.50 Reactions to issues: Sectoral qualifications and the links with national and meta-frameworks Pre-recorded reactions from Brian Joyce, Irish Aviation Authority and Frank Mockler, ECDL Foundation Jens Bjornavold, European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) Sjur Bergan, Council of Europe 15.30 Reactions to issues: Global frameworks, the international perspective, issues and opportunities/challenges Arjen Deij, European Training Foundation John Dawkins, Chair of Australian Qualifications Framework Council Meredith Edwards, University of Canberra Cliff Adelman, Institute for Higher Education Policy 16.10 Short plenary and closing address Howard Davies, EUA 16.30 Close and depart 1 Information Stands Information stands are available during refreshment breaks, as follows: • General EQF stand (hosted by National Qualifications Authority of Ireland); • General Bologna stand (hosted by the National Academy for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning [NAIRTL]); • The compatibility of Qualifications in Ireland and New Zealand project (represented by Prue Wilson, Senior Policy Analyst, Strategic and Corporate Policy, New Zealand Qualifications Authority); • SECCOMPAT project: EQF AND COMPATIBILITY OF SECTORAL QUALIFICATIONS BETWEEN COUNTRIES (No. 137852-LLP-2007-LT-KA1EQF) (represented by Vidmantas Tu¯tlys, Centre for Vocational Education and Research, Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania); Irish Bologna Expert Conference • Tuning Project - Nursing (represented by Inger-Margrethe Jensen, VIA University College Faculty of Health Sciences, Denmark); • National Europass Centre and Qualifications Recognition (National Qualifications Authority of Ireland); • Publications stand. The organisers acknowledge the support of the European Commission and the Ireland-Australia Frameworks Project. 2 National Qualifications Frameworks and the European Overarching Frameworks: Supporting Lifelong Learning in European Education and Training Creatlacha Cáilíochtaí Náisiúnta agus na Creatlacha Uileghabhálacha Eorpacha: Ag Tacú leis an bhFoghlaim ar feadh an tSaoil in Oideachas agus in Oiliúint Eorpach Issues arising from qualifications frameworks in Europe Bryan Maguire, Ireland 1. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to outline and raise for consideration a number of issues that arise from the introduction of the two European meta-frameworks and the growing number of national qualifications frameworks in Europe. In particular, this paper was written to underpin the Bologna Expert conference, National Qualifications Frameworks and the European Overarching Frameworks: Supporting Lifelong Learning in European Education and Training. It is envisaged that a final report will emerge from the conference based on the discussions that this document generates. While this paper is focused on the technical aspects of frameworks, it is important that beyond the technical, we do not lose sight of the learner. 1.1 Qualifications Frameworks Irish Bologna Expert Conference With the growth of human resource management from some confusion on the part of users of qualifications the 1960s, policy makers looked to the identification such as learners, providers of education and training of occupational competences as a means of organising and employers, and a qualifications framework the requirements of enterprises and of employment was proposed as a device to help enhance the sectors. This requires the specification of specific comprehensibility and transparency of the system. behavioural and other attributes required of workers to Other countries adopted qualifications frameworks, not complete a job. Meanwhile in the domain of pedagogic merely as descriptive instruments but as instruments theory and practice some reformers advocated the for the reform of the national qualifications systems. use of learning outcomes, also expressed typically This was notably the case in New Zealand and South in behavioural terms, as a device for organising the Africa. A major OECD report in 2007 identified development of curricula and assessment. qualifications frameworks as one of the mechanisms Qualifications frameworks as a mechanism for whereby qualifications systems can better serve describing and relating qualifications to each other lifelong learning.2 As national qualifications frameworks originated in the United Kingdom and other English- spread, the question began to arise, particularly in speaking countries in the 1980s1. The United Kingdom Europe, as to how national qualifications systems had a relatively unregulated system of qualifications could be related to each other. This gave rise to with a wide variety of awarding bodies, some of the idea of a meta-framework of qualifications. them in competition with each other. This led to 1 Allais, S., Raffe, D., Strathdee, R., Wheelahan, L., Young, M. (2009) Learning from the first qualifications frameworks. Employment Working Paper No. 45, International Labour Office, Geneva. http://www.ilo.org/skills/what/pubs/lang—en/docName—WCM_041902/index.htm 4 2 Werquin, P., Coles, M. (2007). Qualifications Systems: Bridges to Lifelong Learning. OECD http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/24/63/38465471. pdf 1.2 Origins of the two meta-frameworks The Qualifications Framework for the European Higher recognition and international mobility. The objectives Education Area (Bologna framework) was adopted of the EQF-LLL are to improve the transparency, in May 2005 at the Bergen meeting of the ministers comparability and portability of citizens’ qualifications for higher education under the Bologna Process. to enhance international and national