ASPECTS OF NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK WORK AND ROLE OF SECTOR COMMISSIONS Workshop on Recognition & Flexible Learning Paths Miločer, 5th – 6th July Vildana Jahic, Ministry of Education and Sports Web:

EQF - A translation device - Promoting mobility - Facilitating lifelong learning

EQF contributes to.. - Transparency - Transferability - Recognition of qualifications & stimulates Lifelong learning

The key purpose of EQF is to support lifelong learning and to make sure that the outcomes of learning are properly valued and used.

Shifting focus....the essential change Qualification is achieved when a competent body determines that an individual’s learning has reached a specified standard of knowledge, skills and wider competences Learning inputs

Descriptors describe all forms of learning outcomes. Developing level descriptors based on learning outcomes based for NQFs has been a challenge for all countries.

It will help people move from one type or level of learning to another, or move from one country to another to work.

from general education to VET from school-based training to apprenticeships from upper-secondary to university and vice-versa!

Mobility is the key

NQF The core of the EQF concerns 8 reference levels describing what learner: knows, understands and is able to do, and now 26 European countries have proposed or adopted 8 levels for their National Qualification Frameworks (NQFs) but not all: Ireland and Slovenia have 10 levels in their NQFs, Iceland and Norway only 7 levels…

NQF provides impetus for reforms helps strengthen connections between different parts of the education and training system provides a neutral reference point for stakeholders with different backgrounds offers an opportunity for dialogue

NQF must be based on learning outcomes NQF must be accepted by education, training, and the labor market NQF must be linked to the systems for the validation of non-formal and informal learning, and to quality assurance mechanisms

Montenegrin NQF and Qualifications Development December – Law on NQF August – Formed Council for Qualifications November – Formed Sector Commissions December – SC Agriculture, SC Tourism, begin their work Since January 2012, other 7 SC started with work.

Montenegro sees NQF as reforming framework.

Montenegro adopted 8 levels in the NQF that correspond to the 8 levels of EQF.

Sector Commissions in numbers Total No SC: 15 Members in SC: 7 – 15 Members nominated for period: 4 years Meetings/year: 6 Started with work: 9

Members of Sector Commissions....are coming from: -Corresponding Ministries -Chamber of Commerce -Employers' Union -Trade Union -Institutions of higher education (state and private) -Center for Vocational Education -Department of Education -Authority for certain professions (Law Chamber, Medical Chamber, etc.) -Ministry of Education and Sports

Tasks of the SC Proposing scale of the sector Determining qualification framework for the sector Preparing the development plan Preparing recommendations for the Council for Qualifications Preparing Sector Profile Other duties

Activities of the SC Analyze existing and required competencies within sectors and subsectors Define necessary professional qualifications Give suggestions for new professional qualifications and promote job opportunities within the education sector

and also.. prepare the description of qualifications in accordance with established priorities make a review of the revised and new qualifications provide an opinion for the Council for Qualification on the new initiatives for the development of new qualifications..

Sector Commissions have to....identify existing jobs, occupational standards and qualifications, skills that are missing in the labor market, as well as future demand for qualifications in accordance with the principles of the National Qualifications Framework.

Sector Profile For all Sector Commissions is important to have all available data possible for the sector, and Ministry of Education and sports has an important role in providing it: -analysis of the economic environment and labor market -analysis of education system -different strategies within the sector -researches, etc...to be able to make a new and up to date sector strategy.

Sector Profile is the first step in analyzing the future needs for skills within the sector, and understanding the position of the sector knowledge and skills in the labor market.

Sectoral Commissions need to recognize and use the valid classification of occupations in Montenegro (Standard Classification of Occupations), international documents (ISCO 08, ESCO, ISCED 97, etc.), as well as recommendations of relevant international organizations and bodies (ILO, European Commission, CEDEFOP, etc.) And last but not the least..

Thank you for your attention