3rd Meeting of the EQF AG Standing Group on International Qualifications

Órla Barry, representing the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) National Coordination Point (NCP) for Ireland which is hosted by QQI, attended the 3rd meeting of EQF Advisory Group Standing Group on International Qualifications online on Tuesday 3rd June.

This group is currently tasked with developing procedures to support and enable co-operation across the EU for the levelling of international qualifications, and associated guidance for EQF National Coordination Points (NCPs) and providers of international qualifications. The development of these procedures is in response to the 2017 EQF Council recommendation which stated advocated for the setting up of voluntary procedures on the levelling of international qualifications through NQFs and information exchange and consultation between member states on those procedures. It is important to note that the procedure is voluntary and not legally binding. It provides for co-operation and information exchange between member states but the national procedures for inclusion of awards in the NFQ take precedent.

For clarity: International qualifications are defined as a qualification awarded by a legally established international body (association, organisation, sector or company) or by a national body acting on behalf of an international body that is used in more than one country and that includes learning outcomes assessed with reference to standards established by an international body. This may have particular relevance to some organisations seeking establishment as a Listed Awarding Bodies.

The Group has developed a procedure that will be piloted in the first instance and is now finalising guidance documents. The suite of documentation will be presented to the EQF Advisory Group for approval in due course. More information on implementation will be provided when it is available.