Estonian qualification framework Külli All Adult education department Estonian Ministry of Education and research
Qualification system as an interface Society (public, private and third sector) Qualification system LLL system (formal, nonformal and informal learning)
Estonian qualifications system 2007 MoE outlines the goal of creating a lasting, flexible and internationally compatible, competencebased (learning outcomes) qualifications system that meets the needs of lifelong learners, the knowledge society and the economy. 2008 Parliament adopts a new Law on Professions, which sets out a 8-level qualifications framework that is compatible with the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (EQF) 3
Estonian Qualifications Framework (2008, Professions Act) EQF = EstQF Sectoral QFs HE LABOUR MARKET VET GE LIFE- LONG- LEARN- ING SYS- TEM 21.09.2018 21.09.2018 4 4
Estonian qualification framework (EstQF) The EstQF is an integrated framework provided by the Professions Act EstQF consists of four sub-frameworks: the framework for general education, vocational education, higher education and professions, with a framework for specific level descriptors and quality assurance systems. EstQF contains all nationally recognized formal and occupational/professional qualifications that fulfill two conditions: 1) Learning outcomes (in curriculum or professional standard) together with quality assurance
Basic education certificate based on simplified curriculum; Basic education certificate; VET certificate level 2 (without basic education requirement) VET certificate level 3 3 3. level occupation Akadeemilised õppekavad Skilled workers, machine operators, Service and sales workers, Clerical Arst, arhitekt, teadlane,... support workers (Logger, Baker, D Carpenter,...) EKR Upper secondary general education MD 4 PhD 4. level occupation Skilled workers, machine operators, certificate; Service and sales 8 workers, Clerical VET certificate level 4 support workers (Logger, Baker, upper secondary VET Carpenter,...) M VET certificate level 5 (based on upper secondary education certificate) B Bachelor's degree, Professional higher education certificate 1 Elementary workers (Cleaner assistant...) 2 2. level occupation Elementary workers (Cleaner assistant...) Skilled workers EKR 7 5 5. level occupation Mitteakadeemilised Technicians and craft masters, front õppekavad line managers, clerical workers (Electrician, Construction Site Manager, EKR 6 Accountant,...) 6 6. level occupation Specialists, supervisors (Energy auditor, Career Counsellor,...) Master's degree 7 7. level occupation Specialists, managers (Diploma Engineer,...)
Qualification standards and EstQF General trend of development towards learning outcomes (competence based) based qualification standards: Higher education standard (2008) Vocational education standard (2009, 2013) + national curricula for VET National curriculum for basic school (2010) National curriculum for upper secondary school (2010) New generation of occupational qualification standards (2010-...)
VET ACT 2013 New types of vocational training Level 5 qualification in VET Different types of qualifications in formal VET - IVET and CVET curricula (included master of craft-type qualifications) Estonian credit point for VET (EKAP), using the ECVET principles Accreditation system of VET programs and institutions New vocational education standard since 2017 in order to graduate from formal VET it s compulsory to take professional examination (assessment by employers) professional certificates awarded by employers associations Key competences and their assessment
Estonian Qualifications Framework (2015) EQF=EstQF Sectoral QFs HE LABOUR MARKET VET GE LIFE- LONG- LEARN- ING SYS- TEM 21.09.2018 10
Impact of EQF/EstQF Triggered curricula reform - curricula design (LO, evaluation criteria, study methods) Fostered to supervise the transitions inside the educ. system positioning qualifications/curricula clarification between formal education/non-formal education OSKA -skills monitoring and forecasting system
K.Kumpas-Lenk : LO-based learning does it contribute to learning and design of involved student? There is no evidence of a paradigmatic transition to an LO based and a learner-centered learning process so far. The Impact of EStQF 2013 Vocational Institutions Act QF based types of Voc Training, including level 5 2017 QA survey to study the awareness, use and impact of the EstQF by social partners (focus on employers and recruited staff): As it seems the awareness varies in a great extent (more aware are men with HE! - regulated professions, employers). The Est QF has been most helpful in assessing ones qualifications (professional exams) and planning further studies. The use of the QF - ca 25% of respondents plan to use the QF the future. Specially people aged 18 to 25 are seeing an increase in the need for an EstQF
EstQF and future? LLL stategy - new approach to learning (why and how are we learning) More integrated GE, VET, HE? VNIL - upskilling, reskilling knowledgeable learner transparent qualifications/curricula/career pathways
What does it need to build a trust to QF? Quality of implementation (LO descriptions, assessment) Inclusion of nonformal qualification quality! User awareness!!! Clear vision of usage possibilities for different usage groups
QF as a permanent, integrated part of education and training and employment systems EHEA and EQF for HE are totally accepted although not fully implemented Est QF is partly implemented and partly accepted for VET Est QF is implemented in some extent for GE Est QF is mostly accepted for labour market/employers although the usage is not very common Understanding, acceptance by learners?
Thank You! kulli.all@hm.ee