ColegauCymru is pleased to publish a report today referencing the Credit & Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
The EQF is a common reference framework whose purpose is to make qualifications more understandable across different countries and systems within and beyond Europe. This report will support the recognition of Wales’ qualifications overseas and will facilitate the mobility of learners and workers from Wales to train, study and work in many different countries.
Iestyn Davies, CEO of ColegauCymru said,
“In these uncertain times, it is important that Wales remains globally competitive, and by commissioning this report, ColegauCymru is highlighting the importance of providing assurance to companies seeking to develop foreign direct investment that professional standards in Wales are comparable with standards elsewhere in the world.”
ColegauCymru acts for the Welsh Government as the National Coordination Point (NCP) in Wales for the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) and European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET).
Kirsty Williams, the Education Minister, said,
“This work will help transparency and comparability and will benefit our economy by making it easier for Welsh workers and students to gain experience of working overseas, while improving access for employers to a skilled international workforce. I’m really pleased to see Welsh qualifications aligned to their European equivalents, which will make recognising and comparing qualifications from Wales much easier.”
ColegauCymru’s NCP status enabled it to receive grant funding from the European Union to commission and publish this report. Qualifications Wales, Welsh Government, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and other key stakeholders worked closely with ColegauCymru on the drafting of this report. In addition, there was input from UK and international experts.
Philip Blaker, Chief Executive of Qualifications Wales said,
“We’re delighted to have undertaken the referencing work on behalf of ColegauCymru. It recognises the importance of ensuring that learners’ achievements are portable across the UK and internationally. As this report demonstrates, the Welsh qualification system provides trustworthy and comparable qualifications that are easily understood by learners, educators and employers both in Wales and elsewhere.”
Dr David Blaney, Chief Executive of HEFCW said:
“We are pleased to have worked with our partners in this important area to ensure that qualifications in Wales are easily understandable across Europe, and in accordance with the European Qualifications Framework. This report means that learners and workers can be confident that qualifications gained in Wales map against those in other European countries, and we hope this goes some way towards easing their paths around Europe.”
To see and compare other countries’ qualification frameworks go to https://ec.europa.eu/ploteus/en/referencing-reports-and-contacts
For more information on learning and skills in Europe go to https://ec.europa.eu/ploteus/en
