Qualifications Frameworks in Europe: Forging the Right Links. Briefing Note

As national qualifications frameworks in Europe move closer to operation, policy integration becomes a key challenge. Introducing qualifications frameworks based on learning outcomes is now a global phenomenon. According to the recent joint publication by Cedefop, ETF and Unesco, frameworks are either established or being developed in 142 countries. The eight-level European qualifications framework (EQF) makes it possible to compare all types and levels of qualifications from different countries, subsystems, and learning settings. A total of 36 countries are now working together to implement the EQF: the 28 EU Member States, plus the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, and Turkey. By the end of 2013, 22 of these countries will have formally linked ("referenced") their national qualifications levels to the EQF; the others are expected to do so within the next two years. National certificates, diplomas and Europass documents will eventually include the relevant EQF level. This is already the case in Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, France, Lithuania, and Portugal. The external evaluation carried out in 2012/13 confirmed that the EQF has become accepted as a reference point for national qualifications frameworks (NQF). The key to its success is continuity. Links between European and national levels need to be regularly reviewed; common trust can only be achieved through a systematic exchange between countries. Implementation of NQFs is still at an early stage, and their long-term impact is uncertain. To make sure that countries and individual learners enjoy their full benefits, policy-makers should focus on three major issues: visibility, integration, and engagement with the labour market.