The National Framework of Qualifications National College of Art

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The National Framework of QualificationsNational
College of Art Design15th February 2005
Stuart Garvie National Qualifications
Authority of Ireland
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Purpose of the session

• an opportunity for participants to familiarise
  themselves with the changes taking place in the
  system of qualifications
• to address issues in the change process
• an opportunity for the Qualifications Authority
  to receive feedback are there other issues to
  be identified?

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A Framework of Qualifications why?

• a coherent national policy approach to
  qualifications
• lifelong learning society
• need for a more flexible system of qualifications
• need for portability of qualifications
• international comparison and alignment
• European policy trends and agreements Lisbon,
  Copenhagen and Bologna, European Qualifications
  Framework (EQF)

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Towards a coherent but flexible system.

• what is required?
• A framework for the development, recognition and
  award of qualifications in Ireland

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Change is already under way..

• Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999
• three new organisations, 2001
• National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
• Further Education and Training Awards Council
• Higher Education and Training Awards Council
• awards Councils bring coherence to the system
• replace seven previous systems of awards
• one awarding body for further education and
  training

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Recent events and decisions

• National Framework of Qualifications launched in
  October 2003
• one National Framework for all education and
  training awards
• includes Junior and Leaving Certs, higher
  education awards, further education and training
  awards
• 10 Levels, 16 award-types
• new arrangements to promote access, transfer and
  progression
• new system of awards in higher education
  introduced, July 2004
• most existing further education and training
  awards placed in the Framework, January 2005

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The Framework blueprint for change

• a new concept of an award
• an award is a recognition of learning outcomes
• new awards, new titles
• new terminology
• learning outcomes
• levels and level indicators
• award-types and award-type descriptors
• named awards

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The Framework in outline

• a structure of 10 levels
• each level based on a range of standards of
  knowledge, skill and competence
• level indicators

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Award-types

• a central element in the Framework concept
• a class of named awards e.g. Honours Bachelor
  Degree
• one or more award-types at each level in the
  Framework
• an initial set of 16 major award-types defined

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Classes of award-type

• award-types are defined in four classes
• major award-types for a typical range of
  outcomes at a level
• also minor, supplemental and special-purpose
  award-types
• all 16 award-types in the outline Framework are
  major
• the Framework will eventually have a variety of
  award-types at each level.

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Named awards

• a named award is what a learner actually
  receives
• a named award is for achievement in a specific
  field of learning e.g. Honours Bachelor Degree
  in Electronic Engineering
• a named award is associated with a level in the
  Framework through the award-type to which it
  belongs
• named awards to be developed by the awarding
  bodies

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The National Framework of Qualifications
award-types and awarding bodies
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Awards in the Framework

• new awards across all 10 levels
• to be made by FETAC, HETAC DIT, and under
  delegated authority from HETAC
• new standard-setting for these awards has begun
• new HETAC and DIT systems of awards in use, from
  autumn 2004
• school and university awards are accommodated
• general manner of inclusion is set out
• to be included or aligned with the Framework
• professional awards
• international awards

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New system of awards in higher education
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Existing previous awards placement in the
framework

• many awards have ceased or will cease to be made
• intention is to map these awards to Framework
  levels
• awarding bodies and Authority to agree placement
• former awards of HETAC / National Council for
  Educational Awards (NCEA) now placed
• existing and former awards of FETAC awards now
  placed, including
• FETAC / NCVA awards
• National Craft Certificate

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A new era of mobility for learners

• lifelong learning implies a more diverse learning
  community
• more diverse needs
• challenge of change
• organisations
• structures
• systems
• task to maximise opportunities for mobility for
  learners

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What learners need for mobility

• to be able to gain an award in different ways,
  e.g. by accumulating credit for learning outcomes
  over time
• opportunity for entry transparent, fair and
  consistent entry arrangements
• clarity about relationships between awards, and
  about transfer / progression routes
• accurate and reliable information

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Improving mobility for learners

• need for a cultural shift
• need to focus of the concept of access on the
  achievement of an award (not on entry to a
  programme)
• need to focus measurement of success on outcomes
  rather than inputs (e.g. time spent on a
  programme)
• response
• a comprehensive strategy, published in October
  2003
• policies
• actions for the Authority and the awards Councils
• procedures for providers
• four policy strands
• credit, progression routes, entry arrangements,
  information provision

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Implementing the mobility strategy

• Institutions opening up transfer progressions
  routes
• into higher education with former NVCA awards
• Operational guidelines published by the Authority
  on the use of credit in higher education
• FETAC advisory group on credit work well
  advanced
• National Office for Equity of Access to Higher
  Education National Strategy established
• Research under way on transfer and progression
  routes into universities
• National Principles and Operational Guidelines
  for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
  Published July 2005

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Mobility - developments under consideration

• Real use of basis of successful participation
• Help for learners to attain basis of successful
  participation
• Clear and transparent information on awards
  progression
• How can information protocols be implemented?
• Implementation of many policies now being put in
  place
• Credit accumulation and transfer
• Recognition of prior learning

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Next steps

• implementing the Framework
• FETAC implementation arrangements to be announced
  by Summer 2005
• by June 2006, awards meeting new Framework
  standards available at all levels
• aim for all programmes commencing autumn 2005 to
  lead to new Framework awards
• many new awards available sooner new higher
  education awards from 2005
• further developments
• completion of placement of existing and previous
  awards
• inclusion of professional international awards
  draft policies criteria published Sept. 2004
• national approach to credit and RPL Policies
  Published 2005

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Further Information

• all developments are featured on the website of
  the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
  www.nqai.ie
• Framework www.nfq.ie
• see also the awards Councils websites
• www.fetac.ie
• www.hetac.ie

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Europass

• What is it?
• Europass is a new initiative which aims to help
  people make their skills and qualifications
  clearly and easily understood in Europe, thus
  facilitating the mobility of both learners and
  workers.  The Europass documents have been
  designed in such a way as to help people
  chronicle their skills and competences in a
  coherent manner, whether they are planning to
  enroll in an education or training programme,
  looking for a job, or getting experience abroad. 

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Europass Portfolio

• The Europass CV (ECV)
• The Europass Language Passport (ELP)
• The Europass Certificate Supplement (ECS)
• The Europass Diploma Supplement
• The Europass Mobility (EM)

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Europass Portal

• www.europass.ie

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Qualifications Recognition

• The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
  is the Irish centre for the recognition of
  international awards, known at Qualifications
  Recognition - Ireland.  The Authority represents
  Ireland in a European Network of centres known as
  ENIC/NARIC (European National Information
  Centre/National Academic Recognition Information
  Centre and NRP (National Reference Point) which
  promote the recognition of international awards
  throughout Europe.
•  

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Qualifications Recognition

• The aim of the website is to provide information
  on the recognition in Ireland of qualifications
  from other countries.
• www.qualificationsrecognition.ie 

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EQF
Country A
Country B
Qualifications (A)
Qualifications (B)
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EQF and the Irish Framework
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NSEW ALIGNMENT