Introduction ECVET Objectives and Implementation in Malta Overview of ECVET Education in Malta Competent Authority Main ECVET Providers Qualification Framework ICVET Use of Learning Outcomes Flexible Pathways for ECVET ECVET –ECTS VNFIL and RPL

Malta and Demographic Information Population – 443,403 (NSO) 2015 Size – 46.18km long x 13.35km wide Country GDP €2,657.7 million ( Sep 2017) GDP percentage 8.5% Expenditure on Education 13.3% of GDP( 2015) Malta and Demographic Information

ECVET Objectives

ECVET Key Features

Gradual Implementation of ECVET

ECVET Initiative in Malta 2 year pilot project ( March 2011) MQF as the Leading Partners (NCFHE) 3 foreign partners – Italy-Slovenia- Romania 5 Local Partners Funded through Leonardo Da Vinci for LLL of EU Commission 30 courses were selected Level 4

Project Main Outcomes Understanding ECVET Concept ( National & European) Develop and implement a process for conversion Establish ECVET Conversion Manual A tool for VET Providers Permeability

ECVET Manual Manual Update ( 2017) Divided into 5 Separate Booklets Introducing ECVET ECVET For Mobility and LLL ECVET For Employment ECVET for VET Providers ( Designing Study Programmes) ECVET for VET Providers ( Getting a Programme Accredited)

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF EDUCATION IN MALTA Pre- school from the age of 3-4years ( 2 years). Compulsory School from the of 5-16 ( 10 years). Further and Higher Education from 16 – upwards. Mature Students 23 upwards Life – long learning (no age). Various Part-time Courses for all ages.

Competent Authority in Malta MQC Set up – Legal Notice 347 (2005) First Referencing Report September 2008 Commission set up in 2012 Oversee quality of education programs. Legal Notice 295 of 2012. http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lp&itemid=23720&l=1 Amendment Subsidiary Legislation 327.432 , 2014 for VNFIL.

Competent Authority in Malta Referencing Report 4th Revised Edition https://ncfhe.gov.mt/en/Documents/Referencing%20Report/Referencing%20Report%202016.pdf Auditing /Quality Assurance. IQA –EQA Reports by EQA are Published. Program and Provider Accreditation VNFIL https://ncfhe.gov.mt/en/services/Pages/All%20Services/eqaa.aspx Sectoral Skills Committees Set Up

Main VET Institutions in Malta 3 Colleges Courses from Level1 – 7 185 Full Time Courses (2017 Prospectus) 300 Part-time Courses Responsibility of the Ministry of Education & Employment Stipend Offered Local Work Based Learning Target Groups (Various) Further Information may be obtained on www.mcast.edu.mt https://www.facebook.com/MCASTmt/

Main VET Institutions in Malta 1 Institute – 3 Campuses Courses from Level 1 – 6 Focused Full Time Courses/ Launching of new programs (2017 Prospectus) Part-time Courses Responsibility of the Ministry for Tourism Government Funded Stipend Offered Local Industrial Placements International Industrial Placements Target Groups ( Mainly Hospitality) Further Information may be obtained on www.its.edu.mt https://www.facebook.com/instituteoftourismstudies/

Life-Long Learning VET Training in Malta Job Plus (Former ETC) Adult Learning Centre Part-time Courses Responsibility of the Ministry for Education & Employment Target Groups- All Ages Main Focus – Essential Skills Further Information may be obtained on https://www.facebook.com/Lifelonglearningmalta/ https://lifelonglearning.gov.mt/public/frmCoursesCategory.aspx?cat=2 https://jobsplus.gov.mt/

Qualification Framework in Malta MQF same as EQF Level 1-8 ECVET Level 1–4 ECTS Level 5-8 1 ECVET/ECTS POINT/CREDIT =25HRS of Learning Minimum contact Hrs = 5 Further Information may be obtained https://ncfhe.gov.mt/en/resources/Doc uments/Publications/The%20Malta%20Q ualifications%20Framework/The%20Malt a%20Qualifications%20Framework.pdf MQF Regulated by NCFHE EQF QF/EHEA

Full Qualification and Awards Established Number of Credits Distinguishing Difference Full Qualification Awards LLL and Accumulation of Credits

Introduction of IVET Subjects in Secondary Schools Introduced in 2015 Based on a 3 Academic Years Agribusiness Health & Social Care Engineering Technology Information Technology Hospitality Bases on Learning Outcomes Further Information may be obtained on https://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/271271/VocationalSubjects.pdf

ICVET First Matsec Cohort Registration Year Total Subjects Registered Students Additional Notes 2014 92 Hospitality 25 Pilot Project Engineering Technology 36 Information Technology 15 Agribusiness 7 Health & Social Care 9

ICVET 2nd Matsec Cohort Registration Year Total Subjects Registered Students Additional Notes 2015 532 Hospitality 209 11 applied for two different subjects Engineering Technology 88 Information Technology 156 Agribusiness 14 Health & Social Care 76

ICVET 3rd Matsec Cohort Registration Year Total Subjects Registered Students Additional Notes 2016 883 Hospitality 264 12 students applied for two different subjects Engineering Technology 126 Information Technology 259 Agribusiness 25 Health & Social Care 221

Assessment of VET Subjects in Secondary Schools Based on Learning Outcomes Type Assessments Weighing Knowledge 10 40% Comprehension 5 30% Application 3 Further Information may be obtained on https://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/271271/VocationalSubjects.pdf

Quality Assurance and Parity of Esteem of IVET to CVET in Secondary Education Quality Assured External & Internal Verifications ( 2 visits per scholastic year) Leading to Level 2 or 3 (MQF) equivalent 60 ECVET Credits Grade 1-5 = Level 3 within MQF (60 ECVET Credits) Grade 6-7 = Level 2 within MQF (60 ECVET Credits) Leading to a Faster Track and Flexible pathway within Main VET Institutions Further Information may be obtained on https://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/271271/VocationalSubjects.pdf

Guidelines to Distribution of Knowledge in VET Education   Level of Qualification Distribution of Key Competences(KC), Sectoral Skills (SS), and Underpinning Knowledge (UK) for each qualification Level 5 KC 10% SS 45% UK Level 4 20% 40% Level 3 30% Level 2 60% Level 1 70% 15%

Use of Learning Outcomes in Malta for ECVET /ECTS Knowledge Skills Competence What a person knows and understands (theory) What a person is able to do (practice) Applying Knowledge & Understanding Communication Skills Judgemental Skills Learning Skills What a person is responsible for (autonomy & responsibility) Clear Guidance to Module Descriptors Equivalent to Competence or Occupational Standards

LO’s as a “tool” rather then the “end “in the context of other tools Indicates Progression Indicate differentiation Facilitates Access Transparent Quality assured Facilitates VINFIL/RPL Facilitates Mobility Gives Parity of Esteem https://ncfhe.gov.mt/en/services/Pages/All%20Services/eqaa.aspx

Flexible Pathways

Practical Examples of VNFIL and RPL Introduction of RPL at Level 5 -6 for 3 new degree programs in VET ( ITS)- Leading to exemptions and costs reduction http://its.edu.mt/recognition-for-prior-learning-rpl.html RPL for lower levels also –leading to awards

RPL process Flow Chart at ITS

RPL Simply Explained

email on : jesmond.atkins@its.edu.mt Thank You Mr Jesmond Atkins email on : jesmond.atkins@its.edu.mt