1. Towards Competence Based Qualifications System
Olav Aarna
Estonian Qualifications Authority
Kutsete süsteemi arendamist toetab Euroopa Liit

2. 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 together with relevant perforamance criteria (learning outcomes)
Qualification – officially recognized competence as a result of validation

3. Infrastructure of Qualifications System in Estonia
Ministry of Education and Research:
Examinations and Qualifications Centre
Estonian Qualifications Authority
Other ministries:
Regulated professions (teachers, doctors, ...)
Regulated occupations (welding, ...)
Professional associations (especially those related to legal professions)

4. Formal education system in Estonia

5. Professional qualifications system in Estonia
Qualifications framework (2001) has 5 levels (I-III – skilled workers, IV-V – “whitecollars”)
Labour market is divided into 16 sectors
Each sector is managed by a professional council:
Development of professional standards
Awarding of professional qualifications
Estonian Qualifiacations Authority (Kutsekoda) is a support structure for the professional qualifications system in Estonia

6. Challenges (1)
Overcome compartmentalization of formal education system using lifelong learning ideology as a glue
Overcome compartmentalization of professional qualifications system using EQF (and NQF) as a glue
Integrate formal educational and professional qualifications into a single national qualifications system with NQF as a platform
Implement entirely competence based approach

7. Conceptual framework (1)
Society
(public,
private and
nongovern-
mental
sector)‏
Lifelong
Learning
System
(formal,
nonformal
and
informal
learning)
Quali-
fica-
tions
Sys-
tem

8. Conceptual framework (2)
Quality assurance system
for lifelong learning
Qualifications system
Professional qualifications system

9. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM
Competence cycle (1)
Expected competences L A B O U R M K E T
Profes-
sional
stan-
dards
Tasks L E A R N I G
Com-
peten-
cies
Learning outcomes
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM
Assessment
criteria
Profes-
sional
certifi-
cates
Qualification
awarding
Validation
Assessment
Actual competences

10. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM
Competence cycle (2)
Expected competences L A B O U R M K E T
Profes-
sional
stan-
dards
Natio-
nal
curri-
cula
Tasks
Curri-
cula L E A R N I G
Com-
peten-
cies
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM
Profes-
sional
certifi-
cates
Qualification
awarding
Validation
Assessment
Actual competences

11. New Professions Act
New 8-level qualifications framework compatible with European qualifications framework (EQF)
Entirely competence based approach to (professional) qualifications system
Regulated education approach – possibility to award primary professional qualification on graduation from VET institution or HEI (starting from January 1, 2011)
Stepped into force on September 1, 2008

12. European qualifications framework
European QF for lifelong learning (EQF) (EU recommendation from ):
Reference framework
8 learning outcomes (competency) based levels (knowledge, skills, competences)
2010: reference NQF levels to EQF
2012: reference to EQF level on all diploma and certificate supplements
Estonian national QF? 12

13. Estonian Qualifications Framework
Estonian NQF
EQF
Secto-
rial
QFs HE
LIFE-
LONG-
LEARN-
ING
SYS-
TEM .
VET
LABOUR
MARKET GE 13

14. Developments
ESF sponsored program “Development of professional qualifications system”
Kutsekoda – center of competence for Estonian (professional) qualifications system!
NCP for EQF imlementation!

15. Challenges (2)
Redefine basic concepts and clear up national interpretations
Develop holistic and transparent qualifications system
Develop holistic quality assurance system for lifelong learning
Integrate formal, nonformal and informal learning into a single lifelong learning system

16. Thank you for your attention!