MALTA S NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK FOR LIFELONG LEARNING *

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2 MALTA S NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK FOR LIFELONG LEARNING * 8 DOCTORAL DEGREE 8 7 MASTER S DEGREE POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE 7 6 BACHELOR S DEGREE 6 5 UNDERGRADUATE DIPLOMA UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE VET HIGHER DIPLOMA 5 4 MATRICULATION CERTIFICATE ADVANCED LEVEL INTERMEDIATE LEVEL VET DIPLOMA 4(e) 3 LEVEL 3 VET LEVEL 3 3(d) SEC Grade LEVEL 2 VET LEVEL 2 2(c) SEC Grade LEVEL 1 SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE VET LEVEL 1 1 (a/b) VET stands for Vocational Education and Training

3 Annotations: * The National Qualifications Framework is designed in such a way as to be able to include diverse forms of qualifications not as yet covered by this Framework. (a) Attainment of the Basic Employment Passport together with either the Adult Skills Certificate or the MQC 8 Key Competences at Level 1 are also considered as a Full VET Level 1 qualification. (b) The MQC recommends that a Full VET Level 1 qualification should enjoy the same parity of esteem as a Full School Leaving Certificate. (c) The Malta Qualifications Council recommends that a Full VET Level 2 qualification should enjoy the same parity of esteem as 4 General Education Level 2 subjects. (d)the Malta Qualification Council recommends that a Full VET Level 3 qualification should enjoy the same parity of esteem as 6 General Education Level 3 subjects. (e)the Malta Qualification Council recommends that a Full VET Diploma should enjoy the same parity of esteem as 3 Advanced Level subjects.

4 MALTA S NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK FOR LIFELONG LEARNING BY OCCUPATION 8 DOCTORAL DEGREE 7 MASTER S DEGREE POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROFESSIONAL AND MANAGERIAL 6 BACHELOR S DEGREE 5 4 UNDERGRADUATE DIPLOMA UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE VET HIGHER DIPLOMA MATRICULATION CERTIFICATE ADVANCED LEVEL INTERMEDIATE LEVEL VET DIPLOMA TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE 3 LEVEL 3 SEC Grade 1-5 VET LEVEL 3 2 LEVEL 2 SEC Grade 6-7 VET LEVEL 2 SENIOR OPERATIVE AND OPERATIVE 1 LEVEL 1 SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE VET LEVEL 1

5 A National Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning Malta s National Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (NQF) is governed by Legal Notice 347 of October Malta s NQF is in line with the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF) which on the 5 th of September 2006, the Commission European adopted as a proposal for a Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of the EQF. Malta s NQF is based on the principle that levels of education and qualifications can be measured by what a person is capable of doing rather than by what an individual has been taught. The NQF is also a reference tool using the learning outcomes approach. The NQF is a common reference and translation device between various qualifications, qualifications systems (including sectoral qualifications frameworks) and levels. The NQF will place sectoral qualifications within a common agreed Framework of Qualifications. The National Qualifications Framework increases transparency of qualifications, recognition of learning outcomes and builds mutual trust among all stakeholders. Malta s National Qualifications Framework adheres to the Bologna and Copenhagen processes and aims at attracting more individuals to learning experiences and to employability. Malta s NQF has eight levels of qualifications and is compatible with the Framework of Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) or the Dublin descriptors. The descriptors for higher education short cycle (within or linked to the first cycle) developed by the Joint Quality Initiative as part of the Bologna process corresponds to the learning outcomes of Malta s NQF Level 5. The descriptors for the first, second and third cycle in the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area correspond to the learning outcomes of NQF levels 6, 7 and 8 The NQF proposes a new Vocational Education and Training Framework with five levels of qualifications from VET Level One to a VET Higher Diploma which should enjoy the same parity of esteem as an undergraduate diploma or undergraduate certificate. Eight Key Competences (initially at Levels 1 to 3) whose level descriptors are in line with the EQF form an integral part of Malta s NQF and will facilitate mobility and progression of Malta s workforce. Informal and Non-formal education and training as well as the recognition of prior learning (RPL) will eventually form part of the national qualifications framework for lifelong learning.

6 Mission Statement To oversee the development of the National Qualifications Framework in the context of lifelong learning and to work in partnership with learners, employers and training and education providers to achieve and maintain excellence as a contribution towards the national effort for competitiveness. Il-Viżjoni tal-kunsill Malti għall-kwalifiki Biex jaħdem għall-iżvilupp tal-qafas Nazzjonali tal-kwalifiki fil-kuntest ta Edukazzjoni Tul il-ħajja f kooperazzjoni ma dawk li jitgħallmu u jitħarrgu, dawk li jħaddmu u dawk li joffru tagħlim u taħrig biex tintlaħaq u tinżamm il-kwalità fil kwalifiki bħala sehem fl-isforz nazzjonali biex tiżdied il-kompettività. The Malta Qualifications Council is governed by Legal Notice 347 of The overall objective of MQC is to steer the development of the National Qualification Framework and to oversee the training and certification leading to qualification within the Framework and which is not already provided for at compulsory education institutions or degree awarding bodies. The Council will also Promote and maintain the National Qualifications Framework and establish policies and criteria on which the Framework shall be based; Approve and ensure the publication of national standards of knowledge, skills and competences and attitudes for each development sector; Endorse and ensure the publication of the procedures to be implemented by training agencies offering programmes of education and training for access, transfer and progression; Ensure that such standards and procedures are implemented; Endorse vocational education and training programmes delivered by training agencies; Endorse certificates awarded by training agencies; Keep and issue official records of certification awarded. The Malta Qualifications Council is leading a Leonardo da Vinci project on the testing of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and a partner in another LDV project on the Vocational Qualifications Framework of security personnel. MQC represents the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment on the Implementation Group of the EQF and the European Network for Quality Assurance for Vocational Education (ENQA-VET). In 2008, MQC will be organizing the General Assembly and Annual Conference of the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (EURASHE) which gathers Polytechnics, Colleges and University Colleges devoted to Vocational and Professional Higher Education. The Malta Qualifications Council is chaired by Mr Charles Mizzi. The other members of the Council are Mr Felix Borg, Mr Anthony DeGiovanni, Mr Vincent Farrugia, Ms Veronica Grech, Dr Grace Grima, Ms Charmaine Portelli, Mr Emmanuel Zahra. The Acting Chief Executive is Dr James Calleja. Tel or Fax Website: info@mqc.gov.mt