HKQF: Development, Milestones and Collaboration with EQF Background • Knowledge-based economy; importance of life-long learning to enhance competitiveness of local workforce • Proliferation of various qualifications • Need for: * quality * recognition * progression pathways HKQF: Objectives • Policy initiative of Education Bureau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government • Official launch in 2008 • Dual objectives - • Establish an effective platform to support lifelong learning • Enhance quality, capability and competitiveness of local workforce 3 HKQF: Main Features • A unitary framework covering academic, vocational, continuing education sectors • Characteristics of HKQF : • 7 levels defined by Generic Level Descriptors (GLD) • Outcome-based approach • Qualifications with standardised award titles • Indication of QF credit values • All qualifications are quality assured • HKQF-recognized qualifications on Qualifications Register 4 HKQF: Development 2014 2010 - 2012 2008 Introduction of Credit and Accumulation Transfer Policy and Principles Introduction of Award Titles Scheme , QF Credit unit, and QF Support Schemes Introduction of Recognition of Prior Learning mechanism and Qualifications Register Official launch of HKQF Establishment of Industry Training Advisory Committees 2005 - 2007 Establishment of the Accreditation Authority (Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications) Enactment of Ordinance for establishing HKQF 2004 Announcement of the HKSAR Government to establish HKQF 5 HKQF: 10 Milestones 1. QF levels and Generic Level Descriptors (GLD) 2. Industry Training Advisory Committees (ITACs) & Specifications of Competency Standards 3. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism 4. Quality assurance mechanism & Qualifications Register 5. Award Titles Scheme 6. QF credit 7. Credit Accumulation & Transfer (CAT) policy and principles 8. QF Fund 9. International collaboration 10. Collaboration with European Commission on technical alignment with EQF 6 QF Level & GLD • Qualifications/programmes ordered in 7 levels according to Generic Level Descriptors (GLD) • GLD described in terms of learning outcomes • GLD covering four domains : • Knowledge and intellectual skills • Processes • Application, autonomy and accountability • Communication, IT and numeracy 7 Industry-led Framework • Industry Training Advisory Committees (ITAC) set up for 20 industries, covering about 48% of total labour force • Composition: representatives from employers, employees, professional bodies of the relevant industries, government departments • ITACs to define competency requirements and standards for different job tasks, and draw up the Specification of Competency Standards (SCS) • Linkage of SCS with manpower training for industries 8 Industry Participation Printing & Publishing Watch & Clock Chinese Catering Hairdressing Property Management Electrical & Mechanical Services Security Services Information & Communications Technology Employees Human Resources Management Employers Professional Bodies Elderly Care Service Jewellery Automotive Manufacturing Technology Insurance Beauty Retail Logistics Testing, Inspection & Certification Import & Export Banking 9 Uses of SCS Major Uses of SCS Human Resources Development & Management e.g. Job specifications, Recruitment, Performance appraisal Industrial Training & Skill Enhancement e.g. SCS-based courses, in-house training Registration/ Licensing/ Benchmarking e.g. Registration and licensing by professional bodies, RPL, referencing with other jurisdictions 10 Recognition of Prior Learning • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism set up for industries – to validate and recognise non-formal and informal learning, including skills, knowledge and experience of inservice workers, based on SCS – to facilitate continuous learning of workers • Exploring extension of RPL mechanism to cover other forms of non-formal and informal learning (NFIL) 11 QA Mechanism • HKQF underpinned by a robust quality assurance (QA) mechanism Non self-accrediting providers: • Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) • Independent statutory body for QA Self-accrediting universities: • Academic Boards/Senates of universities • Quality Assurance Council under University Grants Committee • A centralised QA body in higher education sector • Joint Quality Review Committee • A centralised QA body for self-financed sub-degree programmes offered by UGC-funded institutions 12 HKCAAVQ • Established in 1990 and reconstituted in 2007 as an independent statutory body under the HKCAAVQ Ordinance • Accreditation Authority and QR Authority under HKQF, embracing academic and vocational qualifications in Hong Kong as stipulated under the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Ordinance • The Council is appointed by Secretary for Education • Membership comprises local and overseas experts in QF and QA authorities • Conduct professional accreditation of providers, learning programmes and qualifications under HKQF 13 Qualifications Register • Qualifications Register (QR) is web-based, containing information on QF-recognised qualifications and training courses for public access – Level & credit-rated www.hkqr.gov.hk – Standardised award titles – Validity period – Quality-assured • Over 8 000 programmes listed on QR now 14 Award Titles Scheme 15 QF Credit • 1 QF credit = 10 notional learning hours • Notional learning hours covering all modes of learning (e.g. attendance in class, self-study, practical assessment, experiments, on-line learning, etc.) • Indication of QF credit values on Qualifications Register (QR) 16 CAT Policy & Principles • Promulgation of Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) policy and principles in July 2014 • Ultimate goals : – to minimize duplication of learning – to recognize validated learning – to support learning progression of learners – to use public resources effectively 17 QF Fund • Enactment of legislation to support QF development • Recognising the importance of QF in maintaining a quality workforce, the Chief Executive of HKSAR Government announced in the 2014 Policy Address to establish a dedicated fund of HK$1 billion, namely the QF Fund, to provide a steady source of income to support the sustainable development and implementation of QF • The Fund was established on 1 September 2014 International Collaboration International Collaboration • China 2011 – Letter of Intent signed with Guangdong Occupational Skill Testing Authority on benchmarking occupational standards • Scotland 2012 - Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership for cooperation on QF development 20 International Collaboration • New Zealand 2014 - Cooperation Arrangement on Development of QF signed with New Zealand Qualifications Authority • Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Participation in the development of ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework 21 Technical Alignment with EQF • A feasibility study conducted in 2012 to assess HKQF’s readiness for referencing with European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and other regional QFs • Findings: – HKQF with sound architecture and effective implementation – HKQF is sufficiently well established and will benefit from international referencing/alignment – Common features of HKQF and EQF: • • • • A tool to support lifelong learning Use of learning outcomes approach QA as a cornerstone underpinning both HKQF and EQF Recognition of non-formal and informal learning Importance of Technical Alignment with EQF • Promote transparency and comparability of qualifications between the two regions • Signify an important development of HKQF in international context • Strengthen HKSAR’s position as a leading business and education hub in the region • Facilitate mobility of people Technical Alignment with EQF • HKQF Conference to mark the commencement of the HKQF-EQF technical alignment project • Education Bureau (EDB) to serve as central co-ordination point for the project • Formation of Joint Technical Group • Members: representatives from EQF Advisory Group and EDB/QF Secretariat • Formation of Local Expert Group • To steer and oversee the project • Members: Local stakeholders of HKQF • Identification of technical consultant to assist EDB in the project • Plan to complete the collaboration project in 12 months’ time HKQF: Forward Plan • Closer collaboration (eg., Europe, ASEAN, Mainland China, New Zealand) • Wide participation in HKQF by all sectors of providers • Recognition of all quality-assured learning (e.g. NFIL, professional qualifications) • HKQF brand building