The European Qualifications Framework was recently adopted formally by the European Parliament and the Council as a Recommendation. Now, stakeholders from across the EU are set to discuss how to best implement this new scheme, which aims to enhance mobility by facilitating the transparency of qualifications across the EU. The first EQF implementation conference will gather some 230 representatives of national authorities, social partners, industry sectors and stakeholders' organisations in Brussels on 3-4 June 2008.

With its eight reference levels of qualifications the EQF will act as a translation device to make qualifications more readable and understandable to employers, individuals and institutions, so that workers and learners can use their qualifications in other countries.

In order to make the EQF work across different national and sectoral systems the EQF's eight levels are based on learning outcomes (what a learner knows, understands and is able to do) rather than learning inputs (the length of a learning experience, the type of institution etc).

The Recommendation establishing the EQF was formally adopted in April 2008 and sets a target date of 2010 for countries to relate their qualifications systems to the EQF, which will make it easier to compare qualifications from different countries. From 2012, all new qualifications should bear a reference to the EQF, which will provide companies and institutions with a quick and clear guide to understanding, for example, a candidate's qualifications.

On 3 – 4 June 2008, national authorities, social partners and stakeholders' organisations are gathering for a two-day conference at the Management Centre Europe, Brussels, to discuss practical issues around the implementation of the EQF.

This first EQF implementation conference will focus on questions such as how to best link national qualifications levels to the European framework, how to make them work across different educational sectors and how to validate non-formal and informal learning. Participants will discuss, in particular, the role of National Qualifications Frameworks in the implementation of the EQF. NQFs are currently being developed in most Member States.

Workshops:

1. Linking national qualifications levels to the EQF – how can quality assurance and criteria for self-certification promote mutual trust?
2. How can the EQF – and National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) – facilitate the validation of non-formal and informal learning?
3. How can the EQF be used as a reference point for all qualifications – including those developed by industry sectors, enterprises and professions?
4. What is the role of National Qualifications Frameworks in implementing the EQF?
5. How can the EQF be used to build links between different sub-systems of education, including adult, Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education?

What is the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)?

The European Qualifications Framework is a reference framework which will relate different countries' qualifications systems and frameworks together. It will act as a translation device to make qualifications more readable and understandable to employers, individuals and institutions, so that workers and learners can use their qualifications in other countries.
It has two principal aims: to facilitate mobility and lifelong learning.