Design and introduction of the Qualification Development

Methodology

David Tournay – Key Expert

Qualification development – drivers for a new approach:

Impact of India, China and emerging

economies

Faster pace of change within

industry

Increasing use of technology

Transferable workforce across

boundaries

Growth of knowledge based economy

Integration with other EU countries

Need for qualifications which adapt quickly to industrial change

Need for qualifications enable learner to adapt and transfer skills to new emerging work opportunities

Need for qualifications which aid learners transferability to other countries – inside and beyond the EU – via EQF and other NQFs

What the ‘methodology’ should produce:

• Ensure VET qualifications are directly influenced by labour market needs

• Ensure VET qualifications are influenced by the skills needs of employers

• Ensure that VET qualifications are flexible – for both learner and employer – through use of unit based approach

• Ensure that VET qualifications support a ‘Lifelong Learning’ route – through recognition of unit based credit

• Ensure that VET qualifications fit within broader CROQF framework and therefore link to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)

Our approach:

• Designed concept of the methodology in early 2011 – incorporating both CROQF and EQF principals

• Developed a network of working groups, focusing on different VET sectors

• Coach ‘working group co-ordinators’ in order that they could support the work of the teams

• Tested methodology through development of 26 new VET qualifications during 2011

• Enabled us to identify areas of complexity which needed further support and explanation

Tangible outputs – the methodology:

Qualification Standards

Curriculum

Defines what the student is required to demonstrate to show that they have developed the relevant skills and knowledge.

Also sets the benchmark for achievement

Qualification Standards broken into smaller ‘units’ to enable transferability

Describes what a VET teacher is required to deliver to enable a student to be able to achieve the assessment criteria

Identifies how the curriculum fits in to the school year

Acts as a reference document for teachers

‘Sector Profile’ identifies labour market needs of sector

‘Occupational Standards’ identifies specific skills and knowledge associated with a particular occupation

Output Input

The Handbook:

Content:

Section 1 Introduction and overview

Section 2 Qualification Planning

Section 3 Methodology

Section 4 Qualification Development Processes

Designed in multiple sections to assist ease of use

Contains examples of good and bad practice

Clear step by step guidance as to how each component of a new qualification should be developed

Available in hard copy and on CD/Web

Tangible outputs:

• 26 new VET qualifications developed – 2 per VET sector

• Content designed to strengthen entry into the workplace and/or progression to higher education

• Development of ‘Ekval’ database to assist with the development process as a management tool

• Ekval also enabled developers to re-use existing units

• In-depth handbook to assist with the development of people new to the qualifications design process

• Mid term training programme to assist with the development of new qualification developers beyond the completion of the project

Intangible outputs:

• Critical to the success of the project

• Development of a community of qualification developers – building a

foundation for future work

• Provided input into all sections of the methodology, handbook and

qualifications

• Demonstrated excellent understanding of the project goals

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