Fatih University NIHA CONFERENCE “COMMON FUTURE” European Qualifications Framework and National Qualifications System in Turkey Prof. Dr. Oğuz Borat 13 – 16 January 2008 Hotel Patalya Kizilcahamam, Ankara Distinguished Guests, I would like to present some basic points of EQF & NQS in Turkey. Since most of the speakers yesterday mentioned the Lisbon decision of heads of state or government of member states, I can skip it.

Heads of State or Government of the Member States agreed on the following objective "By 2010 the European Union must become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion." Fatih University Lisbon Council 23-24 Mart 2000 15 Jan 08

To Achieve Knowledge Based Economy Fatih University To Achieve Knowledge Based Economy Strategic objective for the European Union is: to become the world’s most dynamic knowledge based economy. Hence, promote social inclusion, cohesion, mobility, employability and competitiveness. 15 Jan 08

Fatih University European Qualifications Framework – EQF ? - Translation device for comparing qualifications / Meta-Framework - Neutral reference point based on learning outcomes - EQF implementation is voluntary - Impose no legal obligations on Member States or sectors - 8 common reference levels (learning outcomes) The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is a translation grid for qualifications around Europe. It has two principal purposes: (1) to promote mobility between countries, and (2) to facilitate lifelong learning. Both are indispensable for achieving more and better jobs and growth, as Europe faces the challenges of becoming an advanced, knowledge-based economy. 15 Jan 08

the European Qualifications Framework Mutual recognition of academic and vocational qualifications Establishment of 1- National Qualifications Frameworks 2- European Qualifications Framework; (The 8 levels go from very basic skills to top level academic and professional skills. Today we are mainly concerned with levels 2 to 6) Fatih University EQF is unique in being the first international framework which covers the entire scope of qualifications: higher education, vocational training, adult education, as well as general education. It frames together results of the Bologna and the Copenhagen processes. EU members decided to establish NQF and EQF. Within countries, the EQF initiative has already encouraged the development of National Qualifications Frameworks. Over the next few years, the EQF will promote lifelong learning, for example by making it easier to gain credit for the learning people have already achieved.

The alternative to EQF: bilateral agreements? Country B Country A Country C …they rapidly become very complex… Fatih University These circles can be accepted as individuals, instititions, sectors, companies or (as it is shown in the figure as) countries, seeking links to other bodies 15 Jan 08

The alternative to EQF: bilateral agreements? Country I Country D Country C Country F Country B Country G Country A Country E Country H The alternative to EQF: bilateral agreements? Fatih University Circles are individuals, instutiions, sectors, countries, companies seeking links to other bodies 15 Jan 08

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 Qualification Country A Country B EQF Levels Fatih University EQF is designed to make mobility easier and to promote lifelong learning. It will make qualifications more transparent and understandable between and within countries. 15 Jan 08

Swedish post-secondary engineering education (Påbygnadsutbildning) = EQF Level 4 = Irish post secondary education at national level 6 (Advanced certificate) E Q F Fatih University People in Europe too often face obstacles when they try to move from one country to another to learn or work. They even sometimes face obstacles when they want to move from one part of their own country's education system to another, e.g. from vocational education and training to higher education. The EQF will make different qualifications more easily readable between different European countries, and so promote increased mobility for learning or working. 15 Jan 08

Country which has not yet taken a decision to Fatih University Country has framework Country which has not yet taken a decision to have a framework Country is developing framework The European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Mr Ján Figel', launched the EQF for LLL on 26.11.2007, at a major education conference in Lisbon. The EQF will act as a translation device between the Member States' qualifications systems. This will help employers and educational establishments across Europe compare and better understand the qualifications presented by individuals. The core of the EQF system is its eight reference levels, covering the span of basic to the highest level qualifications. The Recommendation specifies that countries should relate their national qualifications systems to the EQF by 2010. By 2012, every new qualification issued in the EU should have a reference to the appropriate EQF reference level, so the benefits to mobility and LLL that the EQF brings will be visible and available to every EU citizen. 15 Jan 08

EUROPEAN SPACE LLL LABOUR MARKET Learning Outcomes VOC-TEST (MEGEM) EUROPEAN SPACE Ploteus Learning Opportunities Portal 5- Mobility 4- Certificate Supplement 3- Diploma Supplement 2- Language Passport 1- CV EUROPASS Citizen European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System (ECTS, ECVET) 8 Reference & 5 Certification Levels In the Field Learning Informal Learning Non-Formal Learn. Formal Edu. LLL LABOUR MARKET 1 2 3 4 5 Fatih University 6 Behind the abstract translation device of the EQF lies the intention to meet an immediate need at the personal/citizen level: the need for mobility, to better equip oneself when moving to another country or undertaking further training. The EQF joins Europass, Ploteus, the Lifelong Learning programme and other instruments aimed at enhancing the transparency of systems or qualifications and the mobility of citizens.

8 Reference Levels in Formal Education Fatih University 8 Reference Levels in Formal Education 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Levels Sectors & Chambers Person having a primary education diploma accepted as unskilled work force. There are more than 70 million people in EU countries today. Master and Ph D levels are acaqdemic levels which can not be assessted by the sectors & chambers. But occupational standards of the remaining 5 levels- from two to six- will be prepared by the sectors & chambers. 15 Jan 08

8 Reference Levels and Titles in LM 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Levels Fatih University 8 Reference Levels and Titles in LM Sectors & Chambers

The EQF Level Descriptors Each level in the EQF is described in terms of three types of typical learning outcomes: 1- Knowledge 2- Skills 3- Personal and professional competences - Autonomy and responsibility - Learning competence - Communication and social competence - Professional and vocational competence Fatih University The EQF Level Descriptors The EQF uses a learning–outcomes approach, which is its hallmark feature. ‘Learning outcome’ means that the stress is on what people know and can do with their knowledge, rather than on where and how they got their diplomas. The learning–outcomes basis has been accepted as the basic principle of most national qualifications frameworks that are being developed across Europe. This represents a conceptual change for education and training. We can expect to see a fundamental transformation in our ideas about teaching and learning over the next few years. 15 Jan 08

LIFELONG LEARNING (LLL) & ECVET Learning in the Field Informal Learning Non-Formal Learning Formal Learning (Higher Vocational School) LIFELONG LEARNING (LLL) & ECVET Fatih University 5th Level Certificate Supplement Test for 5th Level 5th Level Credit Accumulation 4 x 30 = 120 Unit 5th Level Diploma Supplement

Establishment of National Qualifications System in Turkey Fatih University Establishment of National Qualifications System in Turkey Draft law proposal on Vocational Qualifications Authority (VQA) prepared by Social Partners (MoNE, MoL&SS, SPO, ISKUR, TOBB, TISK, TESK, TURK-IS, HAK-IS, DISK,TUSIAD, MEKSA) VQA Law No.5544 07 October 2006 Turkey has already initiated the establishment of the national qualification system with the Law of "Vocational Qualifications Authority" (VQA) which was accepted by Grand National Assembly of Turkey in September 2006. This authority is the responsible body to establish and execute the national qualifications system in a trilateral dialogue as an affiliated body of Ministry of Labour and Social Security 15 Jan 08

Labour Market Socio-Economic Activities in Sectors CoHE (YOK) Trade Unions NGOs Chambers Labour Market Vocational Qualifications Authority (VQA) Education Needs Learning Outcomes Education System based on LLL OSC OS Education Standards Educated HR Certified manpwer Mo L&SS MoNE Council of Higher Education Ministries Vocational Qualifications Authority (OQO) Education,Training & Employment of Human Resources SPO Certification System MEGEM (VOC-TEST) Fatih University TÜRKAK Socio-Economic Activities in Sectors CoHE (YOK) 15 Jan 08

Occupational Standards VQA Occupational Standards Education Standards Curricula Testing Certification Accreditetion Sectors NQS in Turkey Question Bank Fatih University NGOs 15 Jan 08

NGO SECTOR Preparation of Occupational Standards by Sector 2- LMNA Fatih Üniversitesi SECTOR 3- Priority in occupations 4- Determination of Reference Levels 1- Application to VQA Preparation of Occupational Standards by Sector 5- Occupational standards NGO

2- Prep. of Question Bank by Sector 3- Knowledge & Skills Testing Fatih University VOC-TEST by SECTOR 1- App.to VQA 2- Prep. of Question Bank by Sector 4- Certification NGO 3- Knowledge & Skills Testing SECTOR

Fatih University THANKS 15 Jan 08

8 COMMON REFERENCE LEVELS The main elements of the EQF Fatih University 8 COMMON REFERENCE LEVELS 15 Jan 08

- communication in mother tongue, communication in another language, Fatih University KEY COMPETENCES - communication in mother tongue, communication in another language, basic competences in maths, science and technology, digital competence, learning to learn, interpersonal and civic competences, entrepreneurship and cultural expression 15 Jan 08

(Credit transfer and accumulation system) Fatih University ECTS, ECVET (Credit transfer and accumulation system) Goal to create an integrated credit transfer system at European level, meeting the needs of vocational and academic institutions 15 Jan 08

National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF) Fatih University Building up National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF) National authorities determine how the qualifications within each country are linked to an EQF. 15 Jan 08

Fatih University Linking qualifications to the EQF: the role of sectoral stakeholders - Invite sectors to link sectoral qualifications to EQF - Facilitate sectoral developments - Facilitate link between national and sectoral qualifications - Decentralisation and self-certification 15 Jan 08

Occupational Standards (5-10 Sector Experts) SECTORAL NGO Fatih Üniversitesi Certified person Occupational Standards (5-10 Sector Experts) Knowledge&Skills Testing (5-7 sector + 2 education experts) VOC-TEST (MEGEM) Certification National Standards & Certificate VQA TÜRKAK 15 Jan 08