Concept of learning outcomes was already in use in general education, some vocational and higher education programs

Government’s strategy on diversification of economy presumed availability of employees with new competencies in the labor market

Difficulties of recognition of qualifications for rapidly increasing number of Azerbaijani students going to study abroad

Ministry of Labor of Azerbaijan started a large-scale project on development of occupational standards

Established in 2010

Composed from representatives of: 1) the Ministry of Education 2) the Ministry of Labor and Social

Protection 3) the Student Admission Commission 4) the Ministry of Economic

Development 5) education institutions, etc.

Supported by international consultant and ETF expert

Analysis of the existing legal basis (first half of 2011)

Drafting the AzQF (July-August, 2011) Discussions at the Ministry of Education

(September-October, 2011) Draft AzQF is sent to the Council of Europe for

review (November, 2011) Expert opinion is received from the Council of

Europe (January, 2012) Revisions to AzQF based on the comments

from the Council of Europe (February, 2012) Hosting an international conference on

implementation of NQFs (June, 2012)

1. General provisions2. Objectives of the AzQF3. Level descriptors of the AzQF4. Roles and responsibilities of institutions5. Quality assurance6. Glossary7. Annex – Documents supporting the AzQF

The AzQF is designed for the recognition of lifelong learning and includes the following qualifications:

Qualifications for general education Qualifications for initial vocational education Qualifications for secondary specialised

education (sub-bachelor education) Qualifications for higher education Qualifications for additional education and training

EQF levels

EHEAcycles

GeneralEducation

Initial VET

Secondary

specialised

education

Higher educati

on

Additional

education

AzQF levels

8 THIRD CYCLE (DOCTOR) 8

7 SECOND CYCLE

(MАSTER)7

6 FIRST CYCLE(BACHELOR) 6

5 SHORT CYCLE 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

The AzQF levels

Possible legal barriers for approval of AzQF document

Low level of understanding of qualifications framework process at a large – evidence from consultations

Fragmented vision for implementation of AzQF Possible risks of misconception for additional

education and training qualifications Expected resistance to the concept of

recognition of non-formal and informal learning etc.

Approval of the AzQF umbrella document by the Government

Development and approval of implementation plan for AzQF

Development of regulatory sub-documents Establishment of relevant functions and

sustainable infrastructure necessary for: 1) labor market observations,

2) development of occupational standards, 3) validation of qualifications, 4) maintaining register of qualifications, etc.