1. QUALIFICATION

    The objective of Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23rd April 2008 is to create a common reference framework which should serve as a translation device between different qualifications systems and their levels, whether for general and higher education or for vocational education and training. This will improve the transparency, comparability and portability of citizens’ qualifications issued in accordance with the practice in the different Member States. Each level of qualification should, in principle, be attainable by way of a variety of educational and career paths. The European Qualifications Framework should, moreover, enable international sectoral organizations to relate their qualifications systems to a common European reference point and thus show the relationship between international sectoral qualifications and national qualifications systems.

    This Recommendation therefore contributes to the wider objectives of promoting lifelong learning and increasing the employability, mobility and social integration of workers and learners. Transparent quality assurance principles and information exchange will support its implementation, by helping to build mutual trust.

    According to Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23rd April 2008 on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning:

     

    “Qualification” means a formal outcome of an assessment and validation process which is obtained when a competent body determines that an individual has achieved learning outcomes to given standards.

    In that, a “Qualification” should include the following elements:

    • Name and level of the qualification;
    • Aim / purpose of the qualification;
    • The professional standards, elements / functions of professional standards or units of qualifications which comprise the source for the qualification;
    • Learning Outcomes and success criterion;
    • Assessment and evaluation criterion in acquiring qualifications.
    1. PROFILE OF A QUALIFICATION

    Qualification profiles or standards may define the expected outcomes of the learning process, leading to the award of a full qualification. In VET a qualification standard or profile normally answers the question: ‘What does the student need to learn to be effective in employment?’. These standards or profiles will normally be articulated at national level, seeking to address the different purposes of initial education and training, notably by balancing between general knowledge, occupational specific and transversal skills and competences. In some countries these qualification profiles and standards will be divided into modules or units with separate and specific learning outcomes statements. In many cases this will mean that the level of detail and specificity of the learning outcomes will increase.

    Occupational profiles or standards are normally set outside the education and training system but can have a significant impact on the way learning outcomes statements are defined and written. Occupational profiles or standards specify ‘the main jobs that people do’, describing the professional tasks and activities as well as the competences typical of an occupation. Occupational standards answer the question: ‘What does the student need to be able to do in employment?’.

    1. TEMPLATE FOR THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROFESSIONAL PROFILE OF A QUALIFICATION

     

    • Definition of the Professional Profile
    The definitions comprising of information which includes the essential functions of the profession, contains the tasks within the professional profile and the information which determine the boundaries of the profession.

     

    • The classification of the Professional Profile in the International Classification System
    The profession:

    ·         This section contains the ISCO-08 (International Standard of Profession Classification) coding and,

    ·         EQF Level.

    • Regulations regarding Health, Safety and Environment
    Regarding the Professional Field:

    ·         The regulations and precautions issued for occupational Health & Safety and environmental protection.
    • Work environment and conditions
    The assessment of the conditions and environment of the profession:

    ·         Working conditions (lighting, noise, air-condition);

    ·         Different working areas (working with data, people and machines);

    ·         Possibilities of working individually or as a team;

    ·         Professional illnesses and accidents.
    • Other requirements of the Professional Profile
    In this section, the documents, certificates and health reports are stated.
    1. EXAMPLE FOR THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROFESSIONAL PROFILE OF A QUALIFICATION

     

    CHEF

     

    • Definition of the Professional Profile
    A Chef is an individual who possesses the knowledge and skills to prepare standard recipes and menus, local and international soups, hot and cold sauces, pastry, meat and fish dishes, vegetable dishes, legume, rice dishes, pasta, hot and cold starters, salads, garnish and desserts by following the instructions for the dishes and also abiding by the hygiene rules as well as preparing the dishes for service.

     

    • Place of the Professional Profile in the International Classification Systems
    ISCO 08: 5120 (Chef / Cook)

    EQF LEVEL: 4
    • Regulations regarding Health, Safety and Environment
    Health & Safety Measures, precautions and regulations both domestic and EU requisites regarding Food Production.

     

    • Work environment and conditions
    A chef works at places where food is prepared including the kitchens of the hospitality sections of private and public enterprises, restaurants, ships, trains and yachts. Chefs do long hours at these environments and there is always the possibility of overtime during holidays or on special occasions.
    • Other requirements of the Professional Profile
    Cookery Certificate, required Cookery Documentation, Hygiene Certificate, First Aid Certificate, as well as Health Reports issued on regular intervals (individuals who implement this profession must not be carriers of germs, diseases, etc.)
    1. TEMPLATE USED IN EURSPACE PROJECT FOR PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
    Description of the Professional Profile and Career Opportunities
    Training Field:
    Course:
    EQF Level:
    Professional Profile:
    Career Opportunities:
    Related Links:
    Sources:

    BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

     

    Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008 on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning.

    Office for Official Publications of the European Communities (2008). The European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF). Luxembourg.

    Publications Office of the European Union (2017). Defining, writing and applying learning outcomes, A European handbook. Luxembourg.

    ANNEX I – TECHNICAL SHEET

    • This framework aims to provide:
      1. a description of “Qualification”;
      2. a description on how to identify the Occupational Profile of a Qualification;
      3. an example for the description of the Professional Profile of a Qualification.
    • This framework is intended to be used in determining:
      1. a definition of the professional profile of an intended occupation;
      2. suitability in the International Classification Systems;
      3. suitability in Health & Safety Procedures;
      4. a definition of work environment and conditions;
      5. other requirements as per requested by the applying institution.
    • This framework is intended for the use of schools, public bodies and other private enterprises who participate in mobility projects.
    • This framework is intended to be applied to the mobility students from participant institutions in order to determine their existing qualifications.
    • Phase and Stage of the Pedagogical Circuit in which the Framework should be used:

    Phase 1: Before Mobility

    Stage 1: Identifying the expected Learning Outcomes