Links to other instruments and policies

CyQF work is informed by a wide variety of national and international projects, initiatives, agreements and networks which aim to improve the quality of education and training across Europe and the world.

EQF
CyQF is the contact point for the EQF in Cyprus and is on the international advisory group developing the framework. The EQF (European Qualifications Framework) is used to compare awards from qualifications, systems throughout Europe. It consists of eight reference levels of awards from national qualifications systems and frameworks.

The current proposal emphasises that the NQF cannot operate in isolation but must form part of a wider strategy:

An eight-level reference structure is proposed, reflecting the main characteristics of the national qualification system. The level descriptors are described in terms of knowledge, skills and competence. Knowledge is defined by the type and complexity of knowledge involved and the ability to place one’s knowledge in a context. Skills are expressed by type of skills involved; the complexity of problem-solving; and communication skills. Competence contains the following aspects: space of action, cooperation and responsibility, and learning skills. These were simultaneously formulated for all levels so that there would be clear progression from one level to the next. We achieved that with the help of the other European tools ,ECVET and EQAVET.

We host and and we are the contact point in Cyprus for a number of these initiatives. Dissemination of information at national level is a key part of this function.

EQAVET (European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training)
The EQAVET Network is a community of practice bringing together Member States, Social Partners, VET Providers and the European Commission to promote European collaboration in developing and improving the quality assurance of VET by using the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework.

ECVET
The adoption of the Recommendation by the European Parliament and the Council in 2009 creates the conditions for the implementation of ECVET.

The quality of ECVET testing initiatives is crucial. All stakeholders, such as awarding bodies, providers, social partners, companies, are encouraged to engage in ECVET testing through projects and networks, in particular under the Lifelong Learning Programme.