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ECVET European Credit (Transfer) for Vocational Education and Training. Terry Watts Proskills UK Istanbul – 24 th April 2008. Background. The EU “has a dream” Single economic market - competitive Mobile workforce across the EU Transferable skills Lifelong learning without boarders
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ECVETEuropean Credit (Transfer) for Vocational Education and Training Terry Watts Proskills UK Istanbul – 24th April 2008
Background • The EU “has a dream” • Single economic market - competitive • Mobile workforce across the EU • Transferable skills • Lifelong learning without boarders • Shared cultural experiences – social cohesion • Sense of belonging - being a European
Background • Will it ever happen? Is there a demand?South East of England • Major part of the EU Economy • English language a pull • Migration up 100% since 2003 • 30% of migrants are doing different jobs than they were trained for • Use of migrants up 83% in Manufacturing • 15% reduction in use of UK workers
Background • Affect on the economy? • Migrants estimated to account for • 16% of the GVA in the SE • 50% of the growth in GVA in the SE • Migrants tend to earn more that locals in same jobs • Issues with skills • Training and qualifications not recognised across boarders • Only 2% of migrants given any “formal” training • English language skills (especially written) can be a problem ECVET and EQF are part of the solution to this skills problem…. So what are they?
EQF Level 8 • MAIN FEATURES OF THE EQF • 8 levels defined through learning outcomes – knowledge, skills and competence • EQF has two main aims; to facilitate trans-national mobility and lifelong learning • There is a Vocational system and a Higher Education credit transfer system EQF Level 7 EQF Level 6 EQF Level 5 EQF Level 4 EQF Level 3 EQF Level 2 EQF Level 1
State of play: European level - Rapid progress • Commission; adopted draft Recommendation to set up EQF on 5 September 2006 • Reference levels (2004) • Expert group1 • Consultation and Budapest conference • Expert group 2 • Council; agreement on general approach November 2006 • Adoption by Parliament and Council, December 2007 • Proposal to Parliament 9th April 2008
The first and critical step; Referring national qualifications levels to the EQF Countries asked to refer their national qualifications levels to the EQF by 2010 Countries will have to refer their qualifications levels to the EQF through learning outcomes ‘read across’ and ‘new expectations at each higher level’ The principle of ‘best fit’ - making trusted decisions on the placing of national qualification levels
EQF Referencing Not everyone has a Framework!National Qualifications Frameworks and National Qualifications Systems A national qualifications framework is an optional part of a National Qualifications System A national qualifications system embraces all structures and processes leading to the award of a qualification NQS; frequently complex, non-transparent and fragmented; NQF aim at making levels explicit and provide transparency for access, transfer and progress
Common features in European NQF developments Learning outcomes are used as a basis for classifying and describing levels Quality assurance is a major concern Big majority of countries link NQFs to validation of non-formal learning Significant number of countries use 8 level structure A number of countries have established inventories of national qualifications
Countries’ situation in relation to development of qualifications frameworks November 2007 10
In the UK • Significant Government investment to improve productivity through skills • A government “passion” for qualifications as the only standard of quality • A supply lead system that has resulted in; • quals being unfit for purpose, • providers too dependent on Government funding • Mind blowing complexity! (eg. Multiple frameworks) • A Print industry that invests less on training than any comparable sector • 90% of companies SME/Micros • Poor public sector supply – down from 30+ to 3 or 4 colleges • A few national providers, struggling to find students
In the UK - Proskills • Worked with the system to get our industries on the agenda • Still working to improve the Image of print • “Tweaked” the system to free up funding for our industries - £61M soon to be made available • Fighting a running battle with those who profit from complexity to try to keep it simple; • Qualification reform from ages 14-65 • The approach to small business • Helping providers step up to meet the market • Using existing routes to engage with employers, and challenging them to invest more in skills – Trade Associations, Unions, press etc • Attempting to help set Government policy rather than respond to it. And on Wednesday……
ECVETEuropean Credit (Transfer) for Vocational Education and Training Terry Watts Proskills UK Istanbul – 24th April 2008