Spotlight on Qualifications Frameworks ...

The number of Qualifications Frameworks (QFs) has been growing rapidly since the mid-1990s (Allais, 2017); a recent global inventory comprises over 100 regional and national QFs (CEDEFOP et al., 2018). QFs have become a global phenomenon and are increasingly being seen as instruments for addressing national objectives (Young, 2003). The rationale for countries developing QFs are multiple (OECD, 2007): strengthen the coherence of their qualifications systems; provide a reference point for quality assurance, create a platform for communication, cooperation, and dialogue between education and training and the labour market; make national qualifications systems more user‐friendly; increase the transparency of national qualifications systems; support lifelong learning; create a system of referencing and comparability of qualifications nationally, regionally, and internationally.

 A QF is an abstract construction that can be made explicit through levels and level descriptors, its principles, and producers (Lester, 2001). Its implementation is not superficial that leaves existing education and training systems to go on as before. It might involve a complete change not only in the way qualifications have traditionally been organized but also in the deeply embedded practices that underpin them.