1. Towards European Lifelong Learning Area
Olav Aarna
Estonian Qualifications Authority
Kutsete süsteemi arendamist toetab Euroopa Liit

2. Context Lisbon strategy & Lisbon process (2000)
Towards European lifelong learning area:
Bologna process ( )
Copenhagen process ( )
European Qualifications Framework (EQF) ( )
Recognition of non-formal and informal learning, incl. learning at work
Development (re-engineering) of National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF) & Systems

3. European qualifications framework
EQF for lifelong learning (EU recommendation from ):
Reference framework
8 learning outcomes based levels of qualification (knowledge, skills, competence (extent of autonomy and responsibility))
2010: link NQFs with EQF (Ireland, UK, Malta!)
2012: insert reference to EQF level on all certificates or certificate supplements
National Coordination Points (NCP) for EQF implementation 3

4. Country A
EQF
Country B 9 6 8 8 7 5 7 6 6 5 4 5 4 3 4 3
Qualifications
(A) 3 2 2 2 1 1 1
Qualifications
(B)

5. Guiding Principles (1)
National qualifications system (NQS) is an interface between society and lifelong learning system
Professional (vocational) qualifications system (PQS) is an interface between labour market and lifelong learning system, i.e a subsystem of NQS
NQS in Estonia follows integrated qualifications system model
NQS is a quality assurance system

6. Conceptual Framework (1)
Society
(public,
private and
non-govern-
mental
sector)‏
Lifelong
Learning
System
(formal,
non-formal
and
informal
learning)
Quali-
fica-
tions
Sys-
tem

7. Conceptual Framework (2)
Quality assurance system
for lifelong learning
Qualifications system
Professional qualifications system

8. Guiding Principles (2)
Social partnership of stakeholders (Government, employers’, employees’ and students’ organisations, professional associations, ...) is of crucial importance
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a backbone of NQS
Development of NQF is a process
Developing and implementing NQF is a driver of the process

9. Competence and qualification
Aim: Develop sustainable, flexible, internationally compatible competence based qualifications system meeting the needs of lifelong learning persons, knowledge based society and economy
Competence – ability to perform successfully in a specific field described through the relevant perforamance criteria (learning outcomes)
Qualification – officially recognized competence as a result of validation

10. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM
Competence circle (1)
Expected competences L A B O U R M K E T
Occupa-
tional
stan-
dards
Tasks L E A R N I G
Learning outcomes
Com-
peten-
ces
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM
Assessment
criteria
Certifi-
cates
Qualification
awarding
Validation
Assessment
Actual competences

11. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM
Competence circle (2)
Expected competences L A B O U R M K E T
Occupa-
tional
stan-
dards
Natio-
nal
curri-
cula
Tasks
Curri-
cula L E A R N I G
Com-
peten-
ces
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM
Certifi-
cates
Qualification
awarding
Validation
Assessment
Actual competences

12. Estonian Qualifications Framework (2008)
Estonian NQF
EQF
Secto-
rial
QFs HE
LIFE-
LONG-
LEARN-
ING
SYS-
TEM
VET
LABOUR
MARKET GE 12

13. Educational Standards and ENQF
General trend of development – towards learning outcomes based standards:
Higher education standard (2008)
Vocational education standard (2009) + national curricula for VET
National curriculum for basic school (2010)
National curriculum for upper secondary school (2010)
New generation of occupational standards ( )

14. Estonian Qualifications Framework (2009)
Estonian NQF
EQF
Secto-
rial
QFs HE
LIFE-
LONG-
LEARN-
ING
SYS-
TEM
VET
LABOUR
MARKET GE 14 14

15. Referencing of ENQF to EQF
March 2010 – establishing steering committee
October 2010 – drafting of referencing report
February 2011 – consensus building in Estonia
May 2011 – consultations with international experts
July 2011 – referencing report is presented to the EQF Advisory Committee (AG)
December 2011 – approval by the EQF AG

16. Estonian Qualifications Framework (2011)
Estonian NQF
EQF
Secto-
rial
QFs HE
LIFE-
LONG-
LEARN-
ING
SYS-
TEM
VET
LABOUR
MARKET GE 16 16

17. Thank you for your attention!