It is crucial that the information on qualifications is transparent and easily accessible to users. The classification and levelling of qualifications provided by National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) are of no value if they remain hidden to end-users, be these individual learners, workers, parents, employers or others. Thus, the development of user-friendly qualifications databases or registers can play a key role in making NQFs operational, giving direct access to the information on qualifications.
This was for the first time that the development and use of national qualifications registers and databases and their connection at European level was the theme of the EQF Advisory Group Peer Learning Activity. The key questions were how registers and databases could strengthen the operational character of NQFs to support end-users, and how different national databases could be connected to contribute to the transparency and comparability of qualifications at European level.
Key roles of the Qualifications Register
The Register may serve for different purposes.
Official Status - Based on official databases, the Register is the trusted source of information on qualifications. Official publication of a qualification in the Register means there are strong quality assurance procedures in place, and that only accredited qualifications are included in the Register.
Comprehensive source of information - A key added value of the large majority of NQFs is their comprehensive scope, they cover all types and levels of qualifications. Thus, the comprehensive character of the NQFs needs to be reflected by the Registers.
Communication tool - All NQFs are based on the learning outcomes principle. It is essential that the qualifications databases and registers capture this information in an adequate way so that they become meaningful for users.
Transparency and comparability - The qualifications in the Register are described using the common format of data. Most countries follow EU Recommendation format. The descriptions of learning outcomes are often based on the Europass Diploma/ Certificate Supplement.
Statistics and Research - Grouping of qualifications based on different characteristics, e.g. for statistical analysis, identification of relations to existing classifications (ESCO, ISCO, ISCED).
Information included in the Register
Annex VI of the EQF recommendation is increasingly addressed. It contains both “required” (such as the title of the qualification, EQF level, awarding body) and “optional” elements (such as the link to the relevant Diploma or Certificate Supplement, notional workload needed to achieve the learning outcomes, expiry date). Countries may choose to collect data of wider scope than elements in the Annex VI.
Only modern qualifications are in the Register. Old qualifications are not formally included, but recognized on the principle of broad comparability.
Responsible agencies are often obliged to provide relevant information on qualifications to the Register, ensuring exchange between databases and the Register automatically or on request. This also guarantees that the data in the Register are up-to-date.
Connecting national qualifications databases at European level
What actions to take to connect the Registers to the European portals (currently EQF Learning Opportunities and Qualifications in Europe (LOQ) and ESCO portals)?
Technically it is possible. Member States wishing to publish information on their qualifications in European portals need to structure their data according to the Qualification Metadata Scheme (QMS), which is based on the elements of Annex VI of the EQF Recommendation. Without the required elements, qualifications cannot be published on the European level portals. The optional elements should also be included, unless they are not available.
The QMS ensures that qualifications are described in a consistent manner by all data providers and can be brought together at European level. Countries may either choose to upload national data or automatic update.
Next steps
Given that NQFs have largely been developed with a reference to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), the development of databases and registers not only needs to respond to the wish for transparency at national level, but also to the challenge of creating transparency and comparability of qualifications at European level.
Countries are aspired to connect the EU portals. At the same time, they are at different stages. More time, communication, resources are needed. The key question is what is the real added value to provide information at the European level?
One other major challenge is the source database behind the register, quality and consistency of its content. In particular, the focus on the role of learning outcomes is important. Not all qualifications are described in terms of learning outcomes. But learning outcomes are taken seriously, they are used.
In this context, there is a need for a common presentation format beyond Annex VI which will enable individual citizens, employers and other end-users to understand and compare the content and profile of qualifications. There is a need for common recommendations, basic principles as quality criteria for writing learning outcomes to make comparing qualifications and learning outcomes across countries possible.
Modified on 14 Apr 2019 by Anatolii Garmash
Please log in or sign up to comment.