I gave this presentation on the VET and the World Conference during the European Skills Week in Helsinki

1. CURRENCY OF INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
From the perspective of transition and developing countries
Arjen Deij ETF
VET in and for the World Conference

2. OUTLINE
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1. Trends, origins of standards, influence, opportunities and challenges
2. What standards are we talking about?
3. Examples of use in partner countries
4. A changing context….
1. Qualification System Reforms
2. Migration
3. Perception of homebred qualifications in EU MS
4. Digital transformation
5. Key issues. Improving trust and maximizing currency

3. 1. Trends
2. What kind of standards
3. Influence on NQS
4. Opportunities and
challenges

4. KEY QUESTIONS
Do you agree that international qualifications and standards becoming important for VET?
Yes but difficult to quantify
For which purposes and by whom are international qualifications & standards developed?
See next slides
Are national VET policies influenced by international qualification and skills standards?
Yes
Which are the main opportunities & challenges from international qualifications?
See next slides
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5. What kind of qualifications
and standards are we
talking about?

6. QUALIFICATION AND STANDARDS……WHAT DO WE MEAN
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Occupational standards Qualification – certification standards
Units-modules-partial qualifications International regulated professions
Educational standards-core curricula Badges
Digitally signed certificates Level descriptors
Qualification categories and type
descriptors
Sectoral frameworks
ISO standards Databases

7. Examples

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9. A CHANGING CONTEXT

10. 10

11. BUT IMPACT IS STILL LIMITED
Occupational standards XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
New qualification standards XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
New curricula XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
New learning/ teaching methods XXXXXXXX
New Type Graduates XXXXXXXXXXX
New transitions xx
Career navigation systems X
It is easier to adapt than to develop standards
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12. MIGRATION
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13. QUALIFICATIONS MATTER
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14. A BIAS AGAINST DIPLOMA’S FROM OUTSIDE EU?
1. There are more migrants from outside the EU in EU Member States than citizens
of other EU countries.
2. Close to 70% of migrants have completed full secondary or higher education. The
second generation is better educated than EU natives.
3. In NL after 10 years 56% of legal migrants without a NL diploma found work but
86% if they had a NL diploma
4. Some stakeholders, notably in countries with well developed VET systems, see
international standards as compromises which potentially could lower skills
requirements. Others, notably in countries with less developed systems, see
international standards as benchmarks facilitating progress.
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15. DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
ON LINE DATA BASIS OF STANDARDS AND QUALIFICATIONS
INTEROPERABILITY
DIGITALLY SIGNED CERTIFICATS
MOOCS, ELEARNING, DIGITAL BADGES
ON LINE PROVISION
MICRO CREDENTIALS
ON LINE ASSESSMENT
E-PORTFOLIO
CUT AND PASTE
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16. KEY POINTS
REGARDING THE VALUE
OF INTERNATIONAL
QUALIFICATIONS

17. IMPROVING TRUST
Reputation of international companies or international sectoral organisations
Serious organisations with proven track record
No corruption
Independent assessment and certification
ISO 17024
BUT
Fit for Purpose?
Stakeholder buy in?
Dependency?
Data protection?
Not only standards – how to manage assessment, certification, QA?
Costs?
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18. MAXIMISING CURRENCY
Linking qualification systems and qualification data bases ESCO, EQF, new EUROPASS
More interoperability including with third countries
Ensure wide access to qualifications across borders
More sharing standards, methodologies and experience
What to do with Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect?
Open source versus Globalisation of Monopolies
If you can’t beat them join them =>
Pragmatic and blended solutions, integrate units, micro credentials
Strengthen QA of qualifications internationally, e.g. through network of Qualifications Agencies
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19. Thanks for your patience
Arjen
arjen.deij@etf.europa.eu
https://openspace.etf.europa.eu