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Challenges and Opportunities in I mplementing NQFs . The Case of Estonia. Olav Aarna Estonian Qualification Authority. Infrastructure of Qualifications System in Estonia. Ministry of Education and Research: Examinations and Qualifications Centre Professional Qualifications Authority
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Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing NQFs. The Case of Estonia Olav Aarna Estonian QualificationAuthority Kutsete süsteemi arendamist toetab Euroopa Liit
InfrastructureofQualificationsSystemin Estonia • Ministry of Education and Research: • Examinations and Qualifications Centre • Professional Qualifications Authority • Other ministries: • Regulated professions (teachers, doctors, ...) • Regulated occupations (welding, ...) • Professional associations (related to jurisdiction)
Professional qualificationssystemin Estonia • Qualificationsframeworkhas 5 levels (I-III – skilledworkers, IV-V – “whitecollars”) • Labour market isdividedinto 16 sectors • Eachsectorismanagedby a professionalcouncil: • Deveopmentofprofessionalstandards • Awardingofprofessionalqualifications • Major problemsencountered: • Systemisweaklylinkedtoeducationsystem • Systemofprofessionalstandards and awardshaspartiallysectorialnature
Challenges • Overcomecompartmentalizationofformaleducationsystemusing LLL ideologyas a glue • Overcomecompartmentalizationofprofessionalqualificationssystemusing EQF (and NQF) as a glue • Integrateformaleducational and professionalqualificationsinto a singlenationalqualificationssystemwithsolid NQF • Implemententirelycompetencebasedapproach
Conceptual framework • Qualificationssystemisaninterfacebetweensociety and educationsystem • Professional qualificationssystemisaninterfacebetweenlabour market and educationsystem • Qualificationssystems are subsystemsofqualityassurancesystemineducation • Educationsystemencompassesformal, nonformal and informallearning
Professional Qualifications System as an Interface Labour Market (public, private and nongovern- mental sector) Education System (formal, nonformal and informal learning) Profes- sional Quali- fica- tions Sys- tem
Competence cycle Expected competences L A B O U R M A R K E T Natio- nal curri- cula Profes- sional stan- dards Tasks Curri- cula L E A R N I N G Com- peten- cies PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM Profes- sional certifi- cates Qualification awarding Validation Assessment Actual competences
New Professions Act • New 8-level qualifications framework identical to European qualifications framework (EQF) • Entirely competence based approach to qualifications system • Possibility to award primary professional qualification on graduation from VET institution or HEI (starting from January 1, 2011) • Adopted on May 22, 2008 • Inacted on September 1, 2008
Qualifications Frameworks (1) • Could a NQF be flexible? No! • Four models of NQF: • Freely floating apex (0-D model) • Ladder (1-D model) • Book shelf (2-D model) • Library (3-D model) • ...
Qualifications Frameworks (2) EQF= =EKR EKR – Estonian NQF HR – educational QF KR – professional QF HR KR Professio-nal standards National curricula LA- BOUR MAR- KET EDU- CATION SYS- TEM Compe- tencies, qualifi- cations Learning outcomes (diplomas, certificates)
Developments 2008-2013 • ESF program “Development of professional qualifications system” 2008-2013 • Aim: Developsustainable and flexible professional qualifications system better meeting the needs of lifelong learning persons, knowledge based society and economy • Kutsekoda – center of competence for Estonian professional qualifications system!
Opportunities • Redefinebasicconcepts and clearupnationalinterpretations • Developholistic and transparent qualificationssystem • Developholisticqualityassurancesystemforeducation and training • Integrateformal, nonformal and informallearninginto a singlelifelonglearningsystem • ...
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