Position on the proposal for European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning

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26 January 2007
Ceemet welcomes the main goals of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), namely a greater transparency and improved comparability of the qualifications in the different European vocational and higher education systems. However, Ceemet would like to underline that the EQF can only be of indicative and voluntary nature.
  • As a general remark, Ceemet feels that some more experimentation of the EQF shall demonstrate if it is an operational and neutral device and, only of that basis, decide of its evolution if necessary.
  • The use of the EQF references implies an evaluation of the educational programs/diplomas at national level for the establishment of NQF. This could result in an under/over-evaluation of qualifications by reference to the EQF or in a under/over-evaluation of some forms of education/training compared to others in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
  • It is also important that the EQF implementation does not lead to a reduction of flexibility of the educational programs to adapt to labour market needs.
  • Finally, since social partners have been little involved at European level in the preparation of the EQF, Ceemet feels that qualifications will be better accepted on the labour market if the social partners at national level are involved in its definition and in the decision of classification within the NQF.