Dias nummer 1

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The European Qualification Framework a step
forward for the Chemical Industry? By Claus
Eskesen, EMCEF, Denmark

• The European Qualification Framework IS a step
  forward for the Chemical Industry!
• Because
• We need mobility and to get mobility we need
  transparency!
• And the EQF could be the tool, that will enable
  qualifications frameworks at national and
  sectoral level to relate and communicate to each
  other and thereby develop transparency at the
  European level.
• The EQF is a good method to create a real
  European job marketplace
• But

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But the Framework is maybe a little to ambitious
It will be very difficult to build up national
qualification frameworks that matches the EQF And
second but very important It will be very
difficult for the citizen to relate and actually
use the framework if it is too theoretical and
complexed
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Before (SEK) 2005 957
4
Now COM (2006) 479
Much more simple, but
Still Low knowledge and skill competences are
connected with low (personal) competences
5
An example from the Danish educational system a
very much used educational background for the
chemical industry
Translated title of the certificatePlant operator
Profile of skills and competencesA qualified plant operator is able to carry out simple manual and automated operator jobs in industrial plants either unsupervised or in collaboration with others. He or she is also able to work in different work organisations in the field of industrial production and is thus able to adapt to changes in general societal development. A qualified plant operator is able to plan and prepare production assignments use practical skills to monitor and operate industrial systems and machines work in compliance with quality management and quality control systems use computers and computer-controlled production machinery detect and identify errors and assist in repair and maintenance work contribute to in-house transport and warehousing functions understand and use logistics systems form part of production teams participate in project and development groups work in compliance with relevant health and safety rules, environmental standards and hygiene guidelines communicate and report about matters relating to his or her own job functions and use technical documentation and contribute to the preparation of technical documentation.
Knowledge 3? Skills 4? Competence 5?
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Knowledge 3 Skills 4 Competence 5
Range of occupations accessible to the holder of
the certificateTypical plant operator job
functions Ensuring that raw materials are
available. Setting up and starting machinery
either manually or by means of computers.
Operating machinery and other equipment.
Monitoring production or specific parts or
components. Performing out quality tests.
Selecting samples or specimens for quality
control. Planning production assignments.
Reporting completion of production. Carrying
out minor repairs and replacements. Handing
over production. Carrying out in-house
transport and warehousing assignments.
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Fitting in national educations?
Is it just a question of best fit for the
national qualification frameworks? We will have
to judge which level an education fits with. We
will have to relate any specific education to
just one level knowing that the education
actually is spread over maybe 3 levels. What
will the ministries choose? The lowest level? The
highest level?
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Validation of prior learning?
And how about validation of non-formal and
informal learning? It will be very difficult to
level a grownup citizen with low knowledge and
skills (from school background) but with very
high competences gained from many years in job in
the Chemical Industry. She is maybe divided
between 3 levels. Where will we put her?
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Could it be different?
Is it necessary to have competences in the
framework? Will the framework be more useful
without it? Or could we combine the different
levels in the framework?
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Then we could have reference levels like Level
343 (knowledge 3, skills 4 and competence
3) Or Level 335 (knowledge and skills at 3 but
competence at 5)
Knowledge 1 Skill 1 Competence 1
Knowledge 2 Skill 2 Competence 2
Knowledge 3 Skill 3 Competence 3
Knowledge 4 Skill 4 Competence 4
Knowledge 5 Skill 5 Competence 5
Knowledge 6 Skill 6 Competence 6
Knowledge 7 Skill 7 Competence 7
Knowledge 8 Skill 8 Competence 8
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End of presentation. Claus Eskesen Educational
Advisor United Federation of Danish Workers/CO
Industry claus.eskesen_at_3f.dk