Full Description
This book assesses the impact and implementation of national qualifications frameworks in sixteen different countries. It presents two major lessons for policy makers thinking of introducing a National Qualifications Framework (NQF). First, that an NQF is only a way of framing existing provision; it cannot on its own, lead to the acquisition of skills or knowledge. Second, as an attempt to standardize learning- something that is only to a limited extent standardizable, NQFs have disadvantages as well as advantages.
The research was funded by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Training Foundation (ETF) and, partly as a result of the ILO/ETF Report, the Editors were asked by the World Bank to help them in advising the government of India on introducing a NQF for vocational qualifications. Building on the findings of the report, the editors of this book presented an NQF implementation strategy to the Government of India on behalf of the World Bank. It laid out the steps and stages that would be involved and took account of the earlier experiences of introducing an NQF. Although this strategy was prepared specifically for the Government of India, others who have read it felt it deserved wider circulation. The report has therefore been included in this volume.
Since this research was undertaken, the number countries, especially developing countries, implementing or introducing a NQF has continued to increase. This book will be of interest to policy makers and researchers.
This book was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Education and Work.
Contents
Preface Michael Young and Stephanie Allais; Introduction Michael Young and Stephanie M. Allais 1. Education, economic globalisation and national qualifications frameworks Hugh Lauder 2. The educational implications of introducing a NQF for developing countries Michael Young 3. The impact and implementation of national qualifications frameworks: a comparison of 16 countries Stephanie M. Allais 4. National vocational qualifications in the United Kingdom: their origins and legacy Michael Young 5. Are 'communications frameworks' more successful? Policy learning from the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework David Raffe 6. The implementation, evolution and impact of New Zealand's national qualifications framework Robert Strathdee 7. From old to new: the Australian qualifications framework Leesa Wheelahan 8. The changing faces of the South African national qualifications framework Stephanie M. Allais 9. Qualifications frameworks: implementation and impact in Botswana Daniel Tau and Stanslaus T. Modesto 10. Implementing competence frameworks in Mexico María Luisa de Anda 11. The Malaysian qualifications framework. An institutional response to intrinsic weaknesses Jack Keating 12. The NQF in Mauritius Carmel Marock 13. Implementing a national qualifications framework in Lithuania Vidmantas Tutlys and Irma Spudyte 14. Options for Designing an NVQF for India Michael Young and Stephanie M. Allais
