EuroFire – European Qualification Framework – English

 

 

    

European Qualification Framework

 

The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is a voluntary reference system designed to fit the multitude of qualifications across Europe into a coherent framework based on learning outcomes. The purpose of the EQF is to make qualifications more transparent and readable across sectors and countries.

The EQF does this by setting qualifications into a series of reference levels (1 – 8), from basic to advanced. The eight reference levels are described in terms of learning outcomes, split into knowledge, skills and competence.

By 2010 countries will be asked to relate their national qualifications systems to the EQF. By 2012 each individual certificate should have an indication of the EQF reference level.

The likely benefits of engagement with the EQF process are:

• Improved matching of employers needs with qualifications across Europe

• Improved validation of informal learning, especially for individuals who have learned through extensive experience from work or other fields of activity.

•  Improved labour mobility between countries

• To enables industries, like fire management, that are common to all EU countries to work towards common standards & qualifications

More information about the EQF, in all EU languages, can be found at
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc44_en.htm.

 

EQF Definitions:

 

Term

Description

Learning outcomes

Statements of what a learner knows, understands and is able to do on completion of a learning process, which are defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence

Knowledge

The outcome of the assimilation of information through learning.

Knowledge is the body of facts, principles, theories and practices that is related to a field of work or study either theoretical and/or factual

Skills

The ability to apply knowledge and use know-how to complete tasks and solve problems either cognitive or practical.

Cognitive

The use of logical, intuitive and creative thinking

Practical

Involving manual dexterity and the use of methods, materials, tools

and instruments

Competence

The proven ability to use knowledge, skills and personal, social and/

or methodological abilities, in work or study situations, described in terms of responsibility and autonomy.

 

EuroFire and the EQF

The EuroFire project has developed a series of pilot competency standard units that describe the core learning outcomes an operator may be expected to have at Level 2. No qualification to support the delivery of the learning outcomes has been developed. The principle of “subsidiarity” applies with qualifications the responsibility of individual states and sectors.

Level 2 EQF Descriptors

The six EuroFire competency standards and four training modules have been developed to support crew members operating at Level 2.

 The EQF Level 2 descriptors are:

 

Knowledge

basic factual knowledge of a field of work or study

Skills

basic cognitive and practical skills required to use relevant information in order to carry out tasks and to solve routine problems using simple rules and tools

Competence

work or study under supervision with some autonomy