Developing and introducing a National Framework of Qualifications Edwin Mernagh National Qualifications Authority of Ireland OECD Conference: Qualifications Systems and Lifelong Learning 20-21 October 2005

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Developing and introducing a National Framework
of Qualifications Edwin Mernagh National
Qualifications Authority of IrelandOECD
Conference Qualifications Systems and Lifelong
Learning20-21 October 2005
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The presentation

• the Irish context
• new legislation, new structures
• development of a National Framework of
  Qualifications
• a European dimension

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The Irish context

• a small state population 4 million
• centralised government
• weak regional / local structures
• separation of Education and Training
• across a range of government Departments
• separation of previous qualifications systems
• focus of provision for learning in Ireland
• historically on the needs of young people
• a childhood-to-young adult, pre-employment
  experience
• new focus on learning as a lifelong activity

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A Framework of Qualifications why?

• a coherent national policy approach to
  qualifications
• lifelong learning society
• new kinds of work and career
• 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

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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
• one framework to encompass all awards for all
  aspects of education and training
• a simple, transparent frame of reference

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New legislation, new structures

• 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 all further education and
  training (VET)

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The new structures

• National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
• to develop and maintain a national framework of
  qualifications
• a system for coordinating comparing awards
• awards based on outcomes - standards of
  knowledge, skill competence
• to promote access, transfer and progression
  arrangements for credit accumulation and transfer
• two Awards Councils
• to develop new systems of awards
• to make awards at all levels in the Framework

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Dual developmental approach

• strong legislative base legitimisation
• stakeholder approach consensus-building and
  consultation
• dual approach enabled
• comparatively rapid development
• implementation across all elements of the
  education and training system

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Developing the Framework

• consultation, research and development, 2001-2003
• National Framework of Qualifications launched in
  October 2003
• new system of awards in higher education and
  training, introduced July 2004
• new system of awards for Further Education and
  Training (VET), to be introduced, late 2005
• ongoing placement of existing and former awards
  in the Framework

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The Framework blueprint for change

• a new concept of an award
• an award is a recognition of learning outcomes
  (rather than a recognition of participation in a
  programme or in any particular learning process)
• many new awards, new titles, new terminology
• not a compendium of existing awards
• not just a mapping of relationships between
  existing awards
• no distinction made between education and
  training

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A New Era of Mobility for Learners

• Lifelong learning implies a more diverse learning
  community
• Four policy strands credit, progression routes,
  entry arrangements, information provision
• More diverse needs
• To be able to gain an award in different ways,
  e.g. by accumulating credit for learning outcomes
  over time
• Transparent, fair and consistent entry
  arrangements
• Clarity about relationships between awards
• Task to maximise opportunities for mobility for
  learners

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The Framework in outline

• architecture Levels, Award-types, Named Awards
• a structure of 10 levels
• each level based on a range of standards of
  knowledge, skill and competence
• level indicators
• Grid of 10 level indicators, defined in terms of
  8 dimensions of knowledge, skill and competence

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Award-types

• a central element in the Framework concept
• e.g. Level 5 Certificate and Honours Bachelor
  Degree are award-types
• one or more award-types at each level in the
  Framework
• 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
• an initial set of 15 major award-types defined
• 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 receives
• a named award is for achievement in a specific
  field of learning e.g. Level 5 Certificate in
  Computer Applications
• named awards are developed by the awarding bodies

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Framework structure levels, award-types and
named awards
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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
• made by the awards Councils (FETAC and HETAC)
• school and university awards are accommodated
• general manner of inclusion is set out
• to be included
• professional awards
• international awards

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Existing former awards

• many familiar awards will no longer be made
• intention is to map these awards to Framework
  levels
• most existing and former awards now placed

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The Irish experience notable features

• Framework is part of a broad reform of the system
  of qualifications
• new structures, new organisations
• dual approach legislation and consultation
• Framework contains new awards at all levels, but
  also many existing awards are included
• Framework will eventually contain a great variety
  of awards at most levels
• Key concepts level, level indicators,
  award-type, award-type descriptors, named award

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A European Dimension

• European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
• a meta-framework
• will relate national or sectoral frameworks or
  systems to one another
• 8 reference levels, defined by descriptor
  statements
• consultation now under way
• National Framework facilitates relating Irish
  qualifications to EQF

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Further Information

• all developments are featured on the website of
  the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
  www.nqai.ie
• Framework website www.nfq.ie