DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR NATIONAL QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORKS
IN ALBANIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, THE KOSOVO, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

Type of project/activity:
Consultancy for the European Training Foundation on issues concerning strategies for the development of national qualifications frameworks, in particular country assessments support to discussion of qualification issues for the regional strategy development workshops..

Objectives:
In 2003, ETF created a regional dialogue group on national qualification frameworks which involved National Observatory and Ministry representatives. In 2004 the project has continued to use the dialogue group to design strategies for the development of qualifications in each country while continuing to share knowledge. These strategies will identify the major constraints in each country and ways in which it might be possible to overcome them. The project builds on the current OECD work on Qualifications structures and incorporates information and advice from the Copenhagen process.

Specific objectives for the EIESP have included making a contribution to the assessment of the current situations in the countries (Macedonia, Serbia, Albania and Croatia) concerning vocational qualifications and the development of national frameworks and to draw out issues for ETF and key actors in each national system on levels, pathways, recognition, relevance, standards and assessment. In addition providing a European overview on major qualification issues.

Background:
Many European Union and OECD countries have during recent years introduced fundamental changes in their national qualification systems with the aim to improve the relevancy and transparency of qualifications. In particular, they have sought to develop and introduce coherent national qualification structures or frameworks. By doing so they have sought to increase the mobility chances within the education system, on the labour market, as well as the chances and opportunities for people to return to formal education with full recognition of knowledge and skills acquired during their working career. From the user's standpoint a qualifications framework should allow them to situate and understand the level of their qualification, to investigate pathways for improving their qualifications, to understand what their qualifications should be worth on the labour market and to feel assured that they are recognised (nationally) and relevant to the occupational sector in which they work or wish to work.

Individual countries differ both in terms of how they define the components of their national qualification frameworks and in terms of the mechanisms for assessment and recognition. These differences are often the result of deeply rooted traditions and the existence of country-specific institutions with regard to national qualification systems.

Partners: n/a

Main activities:

• Between September 2003 and February 2004, the EIESP undertook country missions to Macedonia, Serbia, Albania and Croatia for the European Training Foundation, to assess the current situation concerning qualifications in those countries and to suggest options for moving forward. The missions were composed of discussions with key stakeholders about the existing framework of qualifications in the country and the potential opportunities for reform. The interviews were based on a framework document and interview guidelines.
• An Information Note was drafted to provide information for all the actors and constituencies in the Western Balkans countries involved, at different levels, in the reforms of education and training in their countries. The aim was to assist in reflection, to broaden the basis of choice and the spectrum of background information.
• Contributions to the third regional seminar for the project in Sarajévo in May 2004 included an overview of selected major issues in European qualifications.
• Autumn 2004: facilitation of focus group meetings of social partner representatives in Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Name of programme, funder or client:
European Training Foundation

Expected outcomes, reports/documents:

Reports have been drafted for the ETF on each of the countries as well as an Information Note (see above) and presentations.

For more information: Jean Gordon Gordon@dauphine.fr