Workshop 4
NQFs as communication tools. How qualifications
frameworks can promote dialogue and cooperation
a) Qualifications framework as a communication tool between
stakeholders from different education and training subsectors
b)Qualifications framework as a communication tool between
stakeholders in education and labour market
Chairperson: Francis Petel
Facilitator: Michael Axmann
Presenters: Francisca Arbizu, Benedikte Sterner, Jolana
Blažíčková
Rapporteur:Gábor Halász
Budapest, May 26, 2011
Conference on the
European Qualifications Framework
25-26 May 2011
1. Dilemmas and challenges/1
• Recognising the key role of the communication
dimension of NQFs
• Identifying all relevant actors and sectors to be
involved
• Shaping the nature of communication so that it
becomes interactive and dynamic, leading to
cooperation and to co-creation
• The different subsystems of education and
training still too much isolated from each other
Conference on the
European Qualifications Framework
25-26 May 2011
1. Dilemmas and challenges/2
• Communication between subsystems being
both a challenge and an opportunity
• Communication between the formal and nonformal sector as being particularly challenging
• Sustainability of communication (especially in
the implementation phase)
• Involving the social partners
• NQF and regulated professions
Conference on the
European Qualifications Framework
25-26 May 2011
2. Necessary conditions and policy
recommendations/1
• Making communication interactive and
substantial (going beyond simple information
exchange)
• Making continuous trust building a key
function of communication
• Making it clear that different development
phases require different tools and policies
Conference on the
European Qualifications Framework
25-26 May 2011
2. Necessary conditions and policy
recommendations/2
• Re-confirming the involvement of all
stakeholders and their ownership as a “key
success factor”
• Using a wide range of instruments to enhance
the engagement of social partners
• NQFs should cover all professions, including
regulated professions
Conference on the
European Qualifications Framework
25-26 May 2011
3. Common issues raised/1
• The development of NQFs and their
implementation conceived as learning process
• This process creating new knowledge, new
understanding (e.g. about the complex
relationship between the worlds of education
and work)
• NQF is also social capital building (there is a huge
social potential in the NQF creation process)
• The complex relationship between VET and HE
needs further common reflection
Conference on the
European Qualifications Framework
25-26 May 2011
3. Common issues raised/2
• The importance of the sectoral approach
– It may enhance trust building and makes
communication easier
– It enhances “vertical thinking” (across levels)
– Combining sectoral and general approaches
• „Private qualifications” and connecting them to
the general/national system trough accreditation
• The impact of national traditions and culture
Conference on the
European Qualifications Framework
25-26 May 2011
4. European cooperation
• Using EU funded projects and programs to
promote communication and the involvement
of social partners at national and European
level
• Enhancing common learning with a special
focus on the communication dimension
(sharing experiences at European level about
how communication and cooperation works at
national level)
Conference on the
European Qualifications Framework
25-26 May 2011
Thank you for your attention
Conference on the
European Qualifications Framework
25-26 May 2011