Trans-European Qualifications Framework Development (TransEQFrame) concluded
Marion Beyer, Dr. Philipp Grollmann, Dr. Georg Hanf
The TransEQFrame Project conducted by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) formed part of the implementation of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and was concluded at the end of 2008. The project ran for a term of two years, its function being to test the validity of the EQF within the context of National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF) either already in existence or under development.
The main focus of the project, which involved the participation of partners from the seven countries of Germany, Austria, Finland, Denmark, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Switzerland, was on the analysis and development of methods of aligning national qualifications to the European framework.
Four areas of employment constituted a sample basis for investigation of the alignment of qualifications to the EQF. Different constellations of project partners took part in the work.
| Trade and industry and public administration | Germany, Austria, Finland, Denmark, Bulgaria |
| Chemistry | Germany, Bulgaria, the Netherlands |
| Electronics | Austria, Finland, Denmark |
| Logistics | Germany, Finland, the Netherlands |
An investigation of national positions towards the EQF and of political objectives in respect of the introduction of a National Qualifications Framework was conducted prior to the alignment test for national qualifications to the European Framework. This involved an initial analysis of the extent to which the respective national educational policy environments permitted the implementation of the core principles of the EQF. The second stage of the process encompassed a study of theoretical concepts and methodological approaches in terms of adapting the EQF to national educational contexts. Finally, an analysis took place of the significance accorded by various vested interest groups to the EQF or National Qualifications Frameworks with regard to the structures and procedures of the National Qualifications Frameworks. Alignment of qualifications was only able to take place once these issues had been clarified. The Certificate Supplements proved to be to be of particular assistance to some project partners in carrying out the alignment of qualifications, although these were not available for all selected qualifications in all countries.
One of the findings which emerged from the project results was the fact that the participating countries had achieved varying degrees of progress in respect of orientation to learning outcomes, one of the core elements of the EQF. Orientation to learning outcomes is, for example, further advanced in the Netherlands, Denmark and Finland than in Germany, Austria and Bulgaria. In these cases in particular, input related criteria were used to inform alignment in some areas. Consideration was also accorded to the positions in which those completing training normally work on conclusion of their VET.
The project concluded that further development of National Qualifications Frameworks was required on the part of the member states as well as identifying the need for a different approach to be adopted towards the European Qualifications Framework in respect of matching national qualifications against the European Framework. One area where problems arose was with regard to the descriptor for competence in the alignment of national qualifications. The definition of this descriptor is couched in extremely broad terms (displaying similarity with the German concept of employability skills in this regard). Further corrections are required with regard to the graduation of the descriptors.
