2.  Concept of learning outcomes was already in use in general education, some vocational and higher education programs  Government’s strategy on diversification of economy presumed availability of employees with new competencies in the labor market  Difficulties of recognition of qualifications for rapidly increasing number of Azerbaijani students going to study abroad  Ministry of Labor of Azerbaijan started a large-scale project on development of occupational standards

3.  Established in 2010  Composed from representatives of: 1) the Ministry of Education 2) the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection 3) the Student Admission Commission 4) the Ministry of Economic Development 5) education institutions, etc.  Supported by international consultant and ETF expert

4.  Analysis of the existing legal basis (first half of 2011)  Drafting the AzQF (July-August, 2011)  Discussions at the Ministry of Education (September-October, 2011)  Draft AzQF is sent to the Council of Europe for review (November, 2011)  Expert opinion is received from the Council of Europe (January, 2012)  Revisions to AzQF based on the comments from the Council of Europe (February, 2012)  Hosting an international conference on implementation of NQFs (June, 2012)

5. 1. General provisions 2. Objectives of the AzQF 3. Level descriptors of the AzQF 4. Roles and responsibilities of institutions 5. Quality assurance 6. Glossary 7. Annex – Documents supporting the AzQF

6. The AzQF is designed for the recognition of lifelong learning and includes the following qualifications:  Qualifications for general education  Qualifications for initial vocational education  Qualifications for secondary specialised education (sub-bachelor education)  Qualifications for higher education  Qualifications for additional education and training

7. EQF levels EHEA cycles General Education Initial VETSecondary specialised education Higher education Additional education AzQF levels 8 THIRD CYCLE (DOCTOR) 8 7 SECOND CYCLE (MАSTER) 7 6 FIRST CYCLE (BACHELOR) 6 5 SHORT CYCLE 5 44 33 22 11 The AzQF levels

8.  Possible legal barriers for approval of AzQF document  Low level of understanding of qualifications framework process at a large – evidence from consultations  Fragmented vision for implementation of AzQF  Possible risks of misconception for additional education and training qualifications  Expected resistance to the concept of recognition of non-formal and informal learning  etc.

9.  Approval of the AzQF umbrella document by the Government  Development and approval of implementation plan for AzQF  Development of regulatory sub-documents  Establishment of relevant functions and sustainable infrastructure necessary for: 1) labor market observations, 2) development of occupational standards, 3) validation of qualifications, 4) maintaining register of qualifications, etc.