1. National Qualifications Framework Development A work in process Strasbourg, 9 November 2009

2. General comments 24 countries answered 24 countries answered The Swot analyses are very different from declaration to start to very clear reflection on the developments The Swot analyses are very different from declaration to start to very clear reflection on the developments Some of the elements mentioned as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities or Threats are often perceived as on the border line ( depending on the point of view a threat can be an opportunity, a strength a weakness) Some of the elements mentioned as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities or Threats are often perceived as on the border line ( depending on the point of view a threat can be an opportunity, a strength a weakness) The developments of NQF are socio-culturally marked; the general situation in a given country influences the NQF The developments of NQF are socio-culturally marked; the general situation in a given country influences the NQF

3. STRENGHTS The size of the country (for smaller ones) The size of the country (for smaller ones) Based on the local specific needs Based on the local specific needs Join HEI and political will to develop QF Join HEI and political will to develop QF Contribution of different stakeholders: Contribution of different stakeholders: Increase of communication and co-operation between them Increase of communication and co-operation between them the process is visible for the public the process is visible for the public the network and the international support in the developments the network and the international support in the developments The link with the 2 overarching frameworks The link with the 2 overarching frameworks

4. strengths It helps to make more clear and transparent the HE systems It helps to make more clear and transparent the HE systems Internationally to make national qualifications more comparableInternationally to make national qualifications more comparable To include the ENIC centre in the reflectionTo include the ENIC centre in the reflection The support to LLLThe support to LLL To reinforce the relations with employers To reinforce the relations with employers

5. Weaknesses Discontinuity of the political will Discontinuity of the political will Question of terminology, semantic and translation of terms Question of terminology, semantic and translation of terms The understanding of learning outcomes is poor The understanding of learning outcomes is poor Definitions of competences; relations between knowledge, skills, attitudes are still largely unclear Definitions of competences; relations between knowledge, skills, attitudes are still largely unclear Where to put some learning outcomes in terms of level is problematic Where to put some learning outcomes in terms of level is problematic The public is not aware of the developments, it can be confused by them The public is not aware of the developments, it can be confused by them The Bologna Process is not well known The Bologna Process is not well known The relation between degrees issued through « old » and « new » systems is difficult The relation between degrees issued through « old » and « new » systems is difficult No clear administrative body in charge No clear administrative body in charge

6. Weaknesses Not enough finance to have a clear structure and methodology Not enough finance to have a clear structure and methodology The relations of HEI and VET are difficult The relations of HEI and VET are difficult The advantages and reasons for labour market are not clear The advantages and reasons for labour market are not clear The involment of employers is poor The involment of employers is poor The methodology how to develop QF is still not coherent The methodology how to develop QF is still not coherent

7. Opportunities The society is aware of the importance of QF developments The society is aware of the importance of QF developments The NQF is part of the whole reform process of Higher Education The NQF is part of the whole reform process of Higher Education To facilitate the recognition process within the EHEA To facilitate the recognition process within the EHEA To increase international mobility To increase international mobility To contribute to internationalization of HE To contribute to internationalization of HE It makes all Higher Education System more transparent It makes all Higher Education System more transparent Support from international institutions Support from international institutions It increases the cooperation between HEI and VET It increases the cooperation between HEI and VET General information on QF is available on the web General information on QF is available on the web

8. Threats Society is tired of the constant reforms Society is tired of the constant reforms interdependancy to neighboring countries interdependancy to neighboring countries The transition to a knowledge based society is not accepted by the whole society The transition to a knowledge based society is not accepted by the whole society To based on formal Qualifications systems which were not based on learning outcomes To based on formal Qualifications systems which were not based on learning outcomes Low engagement of employers; unclear expectations from their side Low engagement of employers; unclear expectations from their side Where are the students in the whole process? Where are the students in the whole process? Too many stakeholders can create conflict of interests Too many stakeholders can create conflict of interests The process to be perceived as a pure bureaucratic one The process to be perceived as a pure bureaucratic one

9. Threats The large number of certifications can make the whole understanding of the system more difficult and less transparent The large number of certifications can make the whole understanding of the system more difficult and less transparent The risk of a considerable fragmentation of skills and competences in the field of qualifications The risk of a considerable fragmentation of skills and competences in the field of qualifications Little chance is given to individual without any qualifications to find a job Little chance is given to individual without any qualifications to find a job The relationships between the 2 overarching frameworks can generate confusion for the stakeholders The relationships between the 2 overarching frameworks can generate confusion for the stakeholders

10. Challenges Will NQF make the whole reform process more transparent and understable for all stakeholders and the public or in contrary more obscure? Will NQF make the whole reform process more transparent and understable for all stakeholders and the public or in contrary more obscure? We use the same terms but do we meant the same things? We use the same terms but do we meant the same things? What could be/ will be the impact of NQF to recognition? What could be/ will be the impact of NQF to recognition?