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National Qualifications Frameworks
The issue of skills recognition and qualification reform has been a major theme of international debates on education and training strategy. It is widely acknowledged that an improved system for skills recognition can contribute to:
- better identification and deployment of skills by existing employees;
- assistance and guidance in HRD planning;
- improved enterprises’ recruitment of staff,
- improved credibility of qualifications and training provision;
- the creation of systems of certification of portable skills that are recognised across enterprises, sectors, industries , educational institutions; and the promotion of labour market mobility.
Improved skills recognition system is crucial as a means of facilitating lifelong learning and help individuals maintain their ability to compete in the labour market and be fairly rewarded.
The development of national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) represents one of the main initiatives in addressing the challenges of skills recognition. The Conclusions of the General Discussion on Human Resources Training and Development, at the International Labour Conference in 2000 state that: “the development of national qualification frameworks is important for both enterprises and workers as it: facilitates lifelong learning; helps enterprises match skills demand with supply; and guides individuals in their choice of training and career”.
The ILO’s work on NQFs has been guided by the Conclusion. The main activities include:
- establish a database on practices in developing NQFs;
- conduct a study on the comparability of different national frameworks based on the database;
- undertake research on recognition of prior learning (RPL).
» What is a National Qualifications Frameworks?
Recognition of Prior Learning for Promoting Lifelong Learning and Employability
Recognition of prior (non/informal) learning (RPL) is regarded as an important means of facilitating participation in formal education and training. However RPL is also viewed as a means of enhancing employability, labour mobility and career prospects. It is important to bring the perspective of labour and work into the debate and initiatives. Being an international organisation, ILO’s work incorporates the practice and perspectives not only of industrially advanced countries but also of developing countries. ILO’s current initiatives on the recognition of skills are based on the strong endorsement by the tripartite actors of its members.
» Context: Mandate from Tripartite Actors
» Rationale: Why is it important to recognise individuals’ skills?
» Scope of ILO’s work: what is unique?
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