Non QF-EHEA HigherVET Qualifications in The NetherlandsECVET Experts Conference: Higher VET in Europe – Visions for the future

Vienna 22 November 2018

Karin van der Sanden

Introduction CINOP

Why dealing with non-QF EHEA Higher VET qualifications in the Netherlands

And

Current Situation

Overview Dutch educational system

Population between 15 -75 years old: 12,9 mln

Participants in education regulated by Ministry of Education > 2.2 mln (2018)

General Secondary Education 985.506

Secondary vocational education and training 488.187

Higher Education :Universities of Applied Science 452.690

:Universities 280.114

Participation in LLL

Participants with a VET level : 20 to 30 %

Participants with HE: 50 %

Some Figures

1,7 million people a year between 25 and 65 participate in post-initial learning

84% of adult learning takes place in the private sector

Private providers > 14.000

Yearly total revenue private sector > € 3.1 billion

79% of the programs offered in private education are work-related

Yearly 1.3 million participants in private education

> 14.00 Private providers 81 offering HE qualifications regulated by Ministry of Education 104 offering VET qualifications regulated by Ministry of Education 6 offering general secondary education regulated by Ministry of Education

Most qualifications are not regulated by Ministry of Education

Facts and Figures Lifelong learning

Enlarge the transparency and compatibility of levels of qualifications, nationally and internationally;

Increase the communication between the stakeholders in education and the labour market.

Stimulate the use of the concept in learning outcomes;

Facilitate the participation in (lifelong) learning;

Aim Dutch National Qualifications Framework NLQF

Qualifications regulated by the Ministry of Education (OCW)

Existing levels of qualifications transposed to levels of NLQF = “generic classification”

Qualifications not regulated by the Ministry of Education

Upon the request of the owner of the qualification

Classification based on fixed procedures

Classification payed by owner of qualification

Qualifications (to be) classified in NLQF

Developed in 2010/2011

Recommendation of Government sent to Parliament June 2011

Presentation of the referencing report to the EQF Advisory Group in February 2012

Not yet laid down in law. Currently in preparation. Expected adoption end of 2019. After adoption: Levels displayed on diploma’s

Development and implementation NLQF

Systematic organisation of all existing qualification levels in the Netherlands

Comprehensive framework (GE,VET,HE)

Entry Level followed by 8 levels, Level 1 being the least complex and Level 8 the most complex

Fully compatible with QF-European Higher Education Area

Based on learning outcomes

Level descriptors consist of : Context

Knowledge

Skills: Knowledge application, Problem-solving skills, Learning and development skills, Information skills, Communication skills,Responsibility and autonomy

Characteristics NLQF (1)

Underpinned by quality assurance

Amount of levels reflects national situation

All levels are open, under conditions, to qualifications outside the formal system without progression rights or entitlement to titles or degrees on a voluntary basis

No credit framework

Characteristics NLQF (2)

An NLQF level indicator does not give an entitlement to a title or a degree

The right to enter and transfer to education sectors is not regulated by NLQF

NLQF was not meant to be a revision of the Dutch education system

However

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications must be written in learning outcomes

Qualifications must be concluded with an independent, learning path

independent, summative assessment

No courses or training accepted on the basis of proof of participation

Qualifications that are labour market relevant

Qualifications not regulated by the Ministry of Education

NCP NLQF established in 2012 with main tasks Classification and registration of qualifications not regulated by OCW;

Information and communication;

Evaluation and continuous improvement of NLQF and link to EQF;

Accountability and monitoring of the implementation of the NLQF

Funding: Ministry of Education € 450.000 per year

European Commission € 50.000 per year

Organisations applying for registration: (quality check € 1000 or €7500, classification € 2500 per qualification )

National Coordination Point NLQF

State of playNLQF LEVEL Amount Percentage

NLQF1 0 0%

NLQF2 3 6%

NLQF3 8 15%

NLQF4 12 23%

NLQF5 5 9%

NLQF6 24 45%

NLQF7 1 2%

NLQF8 0 0%

Totaal 53 100%

End of 2018 65

End of 2018: 65 non-formal qualifications classified in NLQF of more than 25 providers

Non formal diploma’s/certificates issued indicating an NLQF level

First requests for classifying international qualifications

Revision of VET qualifications has taken place using the level descriptors of the NLQF

The use of learning outcomes and level descriptors in HE

First sign of online job vacancies using the NLQF levels

Annual impact research among HR managers

NLQF in connection with ECVET/ECTS and validation of nonformal and informal leaning

Examples of organisations with classified qualifications

https://www.nlqf.nl/register

Healthcare

Defence

Sports

Tourism and recreation

Economics and Business Administration

Language and Culture

Sectors

Increasing impact on the large sector of non-formal qualifications o Transparency of levels o Raising quality awareness and quality assurance

NLQF descriptors used when describing learning outcomes of VET and HE qualifications

NLQF descriptors used in pilots for designing flexible dual HE Non formal diploma’s/certificates issued indicating an

NLQF level

First requests for classifying international qualifications

Revision of VET qualifications has taken place using the level descriptors of the NLQF

The use of learning outcomes and level descriptors in HE

First sign of online job vacancies using the NLQF levels

Annual impact research among HR managers

NLQF in connection with ECVET/ECTS and validation of nonformal and informal leaning

Impact NLQF

Facilitate LLL (in general)

To be distinctive to other providers (dog groomer)

Stronger position in civil society (army)

Quality and mutual trust (estate agent)

Comparability level between formal and non formal qualifications (several sectors)

International context of the profession (sports)

Increase employment opportunities (care)

Legal requirements and European directives (driving license examiner)

International branch agreements (crane operator)

Stimulate the use of learning outcomes (banking)

Reason private providers to apply for level

Constant improvement of procedures (quality and trust)

NLQF to be regulated by law

NLQF levels on formal diploma’s : cohorts will grow up with NLQF

National communication campaign NLQF, publicity

NCP NLQF will be a permanently designated independent organisation

Link requirements for professional competence to EQF/NLQF

Breakthrough EQF for international sectoral qualifications

Support from stakeholders

Research into effects and impact

Key Challenges

STEP 1) Validity (quality) check of the organisation (pre condition for step 2) Information to be provided: prove of legal entity, ownership of the qualification, continuity of

the organisation, approach to assessment/examination, approach to quality assurance

Independent assessment by Quality Committee, decision by the Programme Council of the NCP NLQF

STEP 2) Classification of qualifications into levels of NLQF Information to be provided: i) Comparison to descriptors NLQF, ii) amount of hours of

learning (substantial qualification= at least 400 hours) or substantial labour market relevance iii) approach to examination/assessment

Independent assessment by two experts, Classification Committee, decision by the Programme Council of the NCP

STEP 3) The qualification is included in the register at www.nlqf.nl/register (valid for 6 years)

Procedure for classifying non formal qualifications in NLQF

Structure organisation NCP NLQF

Ministry of

Education

NCP NLQF

Program

Council

Quality Commission

Classification

Commission

APPEAL

COMMSSION

EXPERTS

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