Glossary

Reference tool for describing and comparing qualification levels in qualifications systems developed at national, international or sectoral levels. Comment: the EQF’s main components are a set of eight reference levels described in terms of learning outcomes (a combination of knowledge, skills and/or competences) and mechanisms and principles for voluntary cooperation. The eight levels cover the entire span of qualifications from those recognising basic knowledge, skills and competences to those awarded at the highest level of academic, professional and vocational education and training. EQF is a translation device for qualification systems.

Source:

European Parliament and Council of the European Union (2008). Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008 on the establishment of the European qualifications framework for lifelong learning. Official Journal of the European Union, C 111, 6.5.2008, pp. 1-7. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/lexuriServ/lexuriServ.do?uri=oJ:c:2008:111:0001:0007:en:Pdf [accessed 22.7.2010].

Reference framework to help EU Member States and participating countries develop, improve, guide and assess the quality of their own vocational education and training systems. Comment: the methodology proposed by the framework is based on:

a cycle consisting of four phases (planning, implementation, assessment and review) described for VET providers/systems;

quality criteria and indicative descriptors for each phase of the cycle;

common indicators for assessing targets, methods, procedures and training results – some indicators are based on statistical data, others are of a qualitative nature.

Source:

Cedefop, based on European Parliament and Council of the European Union (2009b). Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the establishment of a European quality assurance reference framework for vocational education and training. Official Journal of the European Union, C 155, 8.7.2009, pp. 1-10. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/lexuriServ/lexuriServ.do?uri=oJ:c:2009:155:0001:0010:en:Pdf [accessed 4.10.2010].