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Evaluation of the Implementation of the European Qualifications Framework Recommendation Final Report 17 October 2013

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Evaluation of the Implementation of the European Qualifications Framework Recommendation Final Report 17 October 2013 Evaluation of the Implementation of the European Qualifications Framework Recommendation Final report 17 October 2013 Com Evaluation of the Implementation of the EQF Recommendation i Evaluation of the Implementation of the EQF Recommendation Evaluation of the Implementation of the European Qualifications Framework Recommendation Final report The conclusions, recommendations and opinions in this report are those of the authors and they do not necessarily represent the views of the European Commission A report submitted by ICF GHK in association with Technopolis Ltd. Date: 17 October 2013 Job Number 30259258 Axelle Devaux Senior Consultant / Project Manager +32 (0) 2 888 0114 [email protected] ICF GHK 5em Etage 146 Rue Royale Brussels B-1000 T +32 (0) 2 275 01 00 F +32 (0) 2 275 01 09 [email protected] www.ghkint.com ii Evaluation of the Implementation of the EQF Recommendation Document Control Document Title Evaluation of the Implementation of the European Qualifications Framework Recommendation – Final report Job number 30259258 Prepared by Axelle Devaux, Sarah Fleury, Colin Howat, Loraine Schaepkens Checked by Axelle Devaux, Colin Howat Date 17 October 2013 iii Evaluation of the Implementation of the EQF Recommendation Contents Summary statement ......................................................................................................... vi Recommendations .................................................................................................................................. vii 1 Introduction .........................................................................................................1 2 Background ..........................................................................................................2 2.1 The EQF at a glance ................................................................................................................ 2 2.2 Why the EQF? .......................................................................................................................... 2 2.3 EQF objectives in the context of wider European and EU goals ............................................. 3 2.4 Governance of the EQF and inputs ......................................................................................... 8 2.5 State of play in EQF implementation ..................................................................................... 12 3 Methodology ...................................................................................................... 13 4 The effectiveness of the EQF ............................................................................... 14 4.1 The EQF as a common reference framework for qualifications and its contribution to transparency and comparability of qualifications ................................................................... 14 4.2 The EQF’s contribution to the use of learning outcomes and validation of non-formal and informal learning in Europe .................................................................................................... 22 4.3 Effectiveness of the EQF in the context of international sector qualifications ....................... 24 4.4 Conclusions about the effectiveness of the EQF ................................................................... 25 5 The efficiency of the EQF and its implementation structure ................................. 26 5.1 Implementation structure........................................................................................................ 26 5.2 Financial Support to EQF related activities ............................................................................ 36 5.3 Conclusions on the efficiency of the EQF and its implementation structure .......................... 40 6 Relevance of the EQF .......................................................................................... 41 6.1 Relevance of the principles and structure of the EQF ........................................................... 41 6.2 Relevance of the Recommendation as a policy instrument ................................................... 45 6.3 The relevance of the EQF objectives in the context of wider EU goals ................................. 47 6.4 Conclusions on the relevance of the EQF Recommendation ................................................ 50 7 The coherence of the EQF with the implementation of other European mobility and transparency tools ....................................................................................... 51 7.1 Areas of potential synergy ..................................................................................................... 51 7.2 Coherence at EU level ........................................................................................................... 52 7.3 Synergies at national level ..................................................................................................... 58 7.4 Conclusions on the coherence of the EQF with the implementation of other European mobility and transparency tools ............................................................................................. 59 8 The impact and sustainability of the EQF ............................................................ 60 8.1 Policy impact of the EQF at national level ............................................................................. 60 8.2 The EQF impact on European cooperation in education and training ................................... 61 8.3 The impact of the EQF in cooperation with third countries .................................................... 63 8.4 The sustainability of the EQF ................................................................................................. 64 8.5 Conclusions on the impact and sustainability of the EQF...................................................... 65 9 Conclusions and recommendations ..................................................................... 66 9.1 The effectiveness and intermediate impacts of the EQF Recommendation .......................... 66 9.2 The efficiency of the EQF and its implementation structures ................................................ 70 9.3 The relevance of the EQF Recommendation......................................................................... 73 iv Evaluation of the Implementation of the EQF Recommendation 9.4 The coherence of the EQF Recommendation in relation to other EU initiatives ................... 75 9.5 The impact and sustainability of the EQF Recommendation ................................................. 76 v Evaluation of the Implementation of the EQF Recommendation Summary statement This evaluation report provides an overview of progress made in the implementation of the EQF Recommendation between 2008 and 2012. The objective of this evaluation was to assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, impact and sustainability of the EQF. This report is one of many contributions to the Commission's report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the EQF Recommendation. Although only four countries achieved the first EQF milestone (relate their national qualifications system to the EQF - by the end of 2010) and six achieved the second one (ensure that all new qualification documents refer to the appropriate EQF level – by the end of 2012), by the end of May 2013, 20 countries had related their national qualifications system to the EQF. Participating countries are more than ever aiming for qualifications systems that are more transparent and clear and their commitment to the EQF objectives remains strong beyond the target dates set in the EQF Recommendation. The EQF advisory group has been a key actor in the implementation of the EQF, in particular as it effectively provided “soft control/guidance” of national referencing processes. The implementation has also been effectively supported by financial support to EQF pilot projects and support to EQF National Contact Points in participating countries. Considering the stage of implementation of the EQF Recommendation, evidence of its outcomes and impact on national education and training systems in participating countries, on the use of learning outcomes and validation of non-formal and informal learning has been scarce so far. This means that the implementation needs to progress further before this impact becomes visible. This evaluation recommends that, in the future: ■ The effort towards reaching the two EQF objectives should be intensified and remain a priority, even if the target dates have passed. ■ Support to the EQF implementation – through the EQF advisory group, the EQF NCPs and their activities (including peer learning activities and projects) are more than ever needed. ■ Cooperation with other mobility and transparency tools should be reinforced so as to ensure that the EQF is implemented in coherence with the objectives of these tools and that they all contribute to wider EU objectives of mobility and employability, as part of the EU2020 and ET2020. ■ The EQF is already widely considered a reference tool in Europe and beyond – the main features of the EQF should remain stable so that this influence continues and expands, giving the EQF greater visibility. ■ Data about implementation of the EQF should be continuously collected and analysed, and outcomes and impacts of the EQF Recommendations evaluated again, once the implementation has progressed further The rationale, underpinning data and analysis behind these key messages can be
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