ETF Regional Meeting

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ETF Regional MeetingNational Qualification
Framework Creating ConnectionsOutcomes of
the Conference on "Sectoral partnershipsfor
qualifications development Sinaia, Romania,
25-27 September 2006 Ana Elena
CostinNational Adult Training Board National
Authority for QualificationsRomania

• Zagreb, 19-20 October 2006

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Goal, participation, organisation

• Experience exchange on establishing social
  dialogue on
• ET, in general
• Qualifications, in particular
• Participation
• Acceding and candidate countries Bulgaria,
  Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Romania, Turkey
• Member States France, The Netherlands, Portugal,
  Spain, UK
• European organisations CEDEFOP, ETF, EUROFOUND,
  European Commission, UNICE
• Interactive sessions
• Working groups by themes/countries
• Questions/answers, conclusions of the days/groups

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Opinions of participants

• We cannot avoid change () Management of
  change is a challenge.
• Strategic challenges need people ready to take
  responsibilities and to find solutions.
• Acceding and candidate countries are in
  different stages of NQF development, but they
  follow the same way, the European one.
• It was surprising to see that the Member States
  face the same problems as the Acceding
  Countries.
• Determination in implementing the necessary
  changes is essential.
• All the routes are going to sectoral
  partnership
• Strengthening cooperation with Social Partners
  and motivating them to take their role
• Involving Social Partners in an organised,
  methodical way.

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Vision on NQF

• NQF correlated with EQF, based on the consensus
  of the main stakeholders
• EQF terminology adopted
• Taking part in all related developments, such as
  quality assurance in all ET systems, prior
  learning validation, counselling and guidance,
  key competences, ECVET/ECTS, Europass
• A coherent methodological framework developed
  (for qualifications development, validation, and
  certification)
• Legislation adapted
• Responsibilities clearly defined and
  institutional arrangements operational at
  national and sectoral level
• Full involvement of the social partners in
  development and implementation of NQF ensured

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Developing NQF

• A large consultation base ensures the coherence
  of the NQF design and implementation and the
  trust between various parties who will use the
  qualifications.
• The consensus-building in policy development
  regarding NQF is a social and political process,
  as well as a technical one.
• Policy development is the result of the consensus
  based decision of the Government and Social
  Partners main role in case of Government
  belongs to Ministry of Education and/or Ministry
  of Labour.
• Technical points of view are formulated by
  institutions currently involved in managing the
  existing qualification system and in implementing
  the process of reform in ET under the Copenhagen
  and Bologna Processes.
• A crucial role have the sectoral
  committees/councils, as representatives of the
  employers, trade unions, professional bodies,
  regulation bodies, etc.
• Relevant stakeholders may include also providers
  of ET, learners and students, teachers and
  trainers.

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Structures at sector level There are different
models in different countries

• Sectoral partnership is an international practice
  used as a reform instrument in
• making training more relevant
• developing lifelong learning systems.
• There are different models in different
  countries bi-partite, tripartite, multipartite.
• Looking internationally at different patterns and
  trends developed in other countries is a key
  policy issue.
• Romanian example Sectoral Committees established
  with the participation of SPs, professional
  associations, regulation authorities, companies
  and training providers representative for the
  sector

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The development of sector approaches is a gradual
process

• Sectoral committees will develop their
  effectiveness over time through a process of
  learning by doing
• how to work together
• what initiatives are most effective in improving
  ET in their sectors.
• Policy makers and practitioners should expect
  change and adaptation to occur in the deployment
  and development of the SCs.
• Capacity to adapt should be an important
  dimension of the structures and procedures of the
  SCs.
• Consensus building on main issues related to ET
  is also a gradual process.
• Consensus between the main stakeholders is
  essential for the success of the NQF design and
  implementation.

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Sectoral committees need to have a clear
understanding of what their role and
responsibility are

• The process of forming an identity and of being
  aware of the problems commonly associated with
  the sectoral committee is essential
• NQF design and implementation
• anticipating skills needs in the industry and
  monitoring the trends
• identifying solutions to ET problems
• maintaining ongoing dialogue between different
  stakeholders with shared interests in ET.
• SCs need to have clear strategies and priorities
  developed through regular planning processes.
• Strategic and operational working plans can be
  used to clarify objectives and monitor processes.

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Making sectoral committees work is a shared
responsibility between the social partners and
the government

• Capacity building is a shared responsibility
• Resources
• Organisation structure
• Networking
• Within the sector
• Between sectors
• Public bodies
• European level 33 Sectoral Social Dialogue
  Committees.
• The quality of people involved will determine how
  effective the sectoral approach is.
• Training is a key issue
• Decision makers
• Sectoral groups
• EU supports the establishment and consolidation
  of the SCs in acceding and candidate countries
  through dedicated projects and events.

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Funding is a critical issue for sectoral
committees

• Various options are available
• Complete/partial government support
• Industry levy
• Mixed models involving contributions from all
  stakeholders, including trainees.
• Developers of sectoral committees will need to
  look at funding models as part of their strategic
  planning.
• Capacity building at sector level to accede to
  ESF is a key-issue
• Human resources
• Eligibility
• Co-financing.

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The approach of governments is important.

• Governments need to have a clear understanding of
  what the role and responsibility of SCs are.
• Government and sectoral representatives will have
  to co-operate, to understand their strengths and
  weaknesses with respect to ET policy.
• There is a need for horizontal co-ordination of
  SCs in order to
• avoid the duplication of activities
• assuring the coherence of different approaches.
• Co-ordination of the SCs by public bodies could
  be a critical aspect.

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Conclusions

• Clear objectives
• Need of coherence based on consensus
• Determination
• Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue
• Team working
• Sectors first
• Thank you for your attention!