Transcript Qualification Framework in Albania

Qualification Framework
in Albania
ILIA PALUKA
Director of National Agency of Vocational Education and
Training of Albania
January 29-30 , 2009, Brussel, Belgium
Why a National Qualifications
Frameworks – purpose
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Albania education & training system needs to
undertake real steps towards development, progress
and achievements, in the frame of widespread
reform in all economic and social aspects.
National Qualifications Framework is one of the
instruments towards attainment of these objectives,
for the development and classification of
qualifications according to a set of criteria for levels
of learning achieved.
It ensure that standards & certificates are uniformly
used across the country and guarantee equality and
credibility of employers and learners.
National Qualifications
Frameworks – scope
National Qualifications Frameworks may
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be comprehensive in scope
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be confined to a particular sector e.g. VET
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include a number of smaller frameworks
Qualification is a package of standards or units judged
to be worthy of certification.
 It may be based on occupational standards but also
includes assessment procedures
 Qualifications are not the same as curricula.
 include a number of smaller frameworks
AQF -Background
Chronology:
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By the end of 2006, two Ministers (Education& Labor) installed a
Task Force, mandated to coordinate, organize and monitoring the
work on development of AQF
Since only comprehensive representatives would legitimate its
activity, in TF membership have been included specialist from the
state (ministries & institutions), employers, trade unions,
organizations, universities etc.
During 2007 TF worked on preparing of drafts of: a) respective AQF
low; b) explanation report; c) Decision of CM; d) Administrative
structure and e) Financial coasts.
During 2008, mostly, we have focused on a public campaign,
promoting AQF to stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Now we are in the process of formalization and harmonization with
existing legal framework, following necessary procedures.
Main Elements of AQF
AQF consists of three main elements:
• The core would be a set of common reference points – referring to
learning outcomes, located in a structure of 8 levels.
• These reference levels would be supported by a range of tools and
instruments addressing the needs of individual citizens (an
integrated European credit transfer and accumulation system for
lifelong learning, the Europass instrument, database on learning
opportunities).
• A NQF would also include a set of common principles and procedures
providing guidelines for co-operation between stakeholders at
different levels – in particular focusing on quality assurance,
validation, guidance and key competences.
Common Reference Levels
Based on outcomes stated as hierarchies
of:
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Theoretical and/or factual knowledge
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Cognitive and practical skills
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Competence – expressed in relation to
autonomy and responsibility
National Qualifications
Frameworks – typical features
 single
system of levels for all
qualifications
 levels defined by the outcomes of
learning
 qualifications based on standards or
outcomes
 modular/unitised qualifications
 assessment based on explicit criteria
 a common credit system
Functions of the AQF
• Translation device for comparing qualifications
• Neutral reference point based on learning outcomes
• Facilitates credit transfer and quality assurance
• Basis for sector qualification developments
Albanian Qualifications
Framework – purposes
AQF INTENT TO:
 improve understanding of learning routes and qualifications
and how they relate to each other
 improve access to education and training opportunities
 make progression routes easier and clearer so as to improve
learner mobility
 ensure that qualifications are relevant to social and economic
needs
 ensure that education and training standards are defined and
applied consistently
 ensure that education and training providers meet certain
quality standards
 improve credit transfer between qualifications and increase the
scope for recognition of prior learning
 secure the conditions for international recognition for national
qualifications
Structure of AQF
Albanian Qualification
AQF
Level
1
Minimum qualification to enter to work or civic life
2
Certificate of Professional Attainment
(Voc Ed First Level)
3
Certificate of Professional Attainment
(Voc Ed Second Level)
4
Certificate of Professional Attainment
(Technical-Managerial) ,Maturity Diploma
5
University Certificates and Diplomas (Post secondary /
Non university)
6
Bachelors degrees
7
Masters degrees
8
PhD
Task Force findings
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On the basis of its examination of EQF levels and
current Albanian qualifications (and some
consideration of possible future qualification
development needs), the Task Force concludes that
further technical work is required to align current
Albanian qualifications with EQF levels.
The Task Force also recommends that consideration
be given to direct adoption by Albania of the EQF
level descriptors.
While there is no requirement to do so, the Task
Force believes there is no point in ‘reinventing the
wheel’ if the EQF descriptors prove to be workable in
the context of Albania.
Strategic Structure of AQF
Council of Ministers
National
Council of
AQF
Ministry of Education
And Science
Line Ministries &
Social Partners
Unit of AQF
WG
Institutions- Inclusion of
Qualifications in AQF
European
Commission/
EQF
Development
Institutions – Main functions
of AQF
Institutions - Programmes &
Evaluations / Assessments of
Qualifications
Agencies/Institutions which
Are engaged/ work on
AQF Areas
Operational Structure of AQF
Unit of AQF and
Working Groups
Ministries; Agencies&
Social Partners
National Council of AQF
Implementation Institutions of AQF
MoES
General Qualification
Levels 1 - 4 of AQF
MoES
HEAA+NCoHE
MoES+MoLSAEC
NVETA
Higher Ed. Qualifications Vocational Qualifications
Levels 5 – 8 of AQF
Levels 2 – 5 of AQF
Operational Structure of AQF
Sectors /
Functions
Curriculas’ Design
Validation of
Qualifications
Accreditation of
Institutions
Quality assurance
and
Evaluation &
Assessment
Validation / Issue of
Certifications
General
Education
Higher Education
VET
IoCT
HEI
NCoHE
NVETA &
NES
MoES
MoES
NVETA
MoES
MoES&HEAA
MoES &
NVETA
NA of A&E
MoES
NVETA
I of HE
MoES
NVETA
MoES