www.bmbf.de The German Qualifications Framework (DQR) and its impact on VET Sabine Schüller, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany
www.bmbf.de
The German Qualifications Framework
(DQR) and its impact on VET Sabine Schüller, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany
2Slovak Qualifications Framework Conference, 4 December 2017, Bratislava
Implementing the DQR: reason, objectives
Original reason for the development of the DQR: EQF
Objectives of the DQR:
• Increasing transparency in the German education system
• Enhancing comparability and better understanding of qualifications
in Germany and Europe
• Enhancing visibility of equivalences and differences of qualifications
• Fostering equal value of vocational education and training and
general/higher education
• Supporting quality assurance
• Supporting mobility of learners and workers
3Slovak Qualifications Framework Conference, 4 December 2017, Bratislava
Implementing the DQR: reason, objectives
Objectives of the DQR:
• Facilitating the recognition/acceptance of qualifications acquired in
Germany
• Strengthening the competence orientation of qualifcations and
fostering the shift to learning outcomes
• Facilitating the validation of non-formal and informal learning
• Supporting permeability and lifelong learning
4Slovak Qualifications Framework Conference, 4 December 2017, Bratislava
Milestones of DQR-Implementation
• October 2006: Joint decision of the Federal Government and the
Länder to develop a DQR
• 2009: first draft of the framework with 8 levels
• March 2011: Adoption of the framework
• January 2012: Agreement on allocations of the formal education
system (VET and higher education, general education was
postponed)
• 2012: Referencing of the DQR to the EQF. Presentation of the
German referencing report to the EQF Advisory Group in December
2012
5Slovak Qualifications Framework Conference, 4 December 2017, Bratislava
Milestones of DQR-Implementation
• May 2013: Official implementation of the DQR based on a joint
resolution between the Federal Government and the Länder
• May 2013: Launch of the DQR-database indicating DQR-/EQF-
levels of allocated qualifications
• Gradually as of January 2014: Indication of DQR-/EQF-levels on
certificates and certificate supplements of VET qualifications and on
diploma supplements for higher education qualifications
• March 2017 Allocation of general school leaving certificates on
levels 2, 3 and 4
6Slovak Qualifications Framework Conference, 4 December 2017, Bratislava
Character of the DQR …
… is a transparency instrument
… is not a regulatory instrument
… is not a reform instrument but a driver for developments in the
education
system
… does not replace existing access and admission regulations
… describes the equal value of qualifications, not their homogeneity
… allocates qualifications, not individual competences
… shall permit the inclusion of qualifications aquired in non-
formal settings (non-formal qualifications) but is not an instrument
for
their validation
… is based on strong involvement of stakeholders (Principle of
consensus!)
8Slovak Qualifications Framework Conference, 4 December 2017, Bratislava
Impact so far – What would be lost?
9Slovak Qualifications Framework Conference, 4 December 2017, Bratislava
Impact of the DQR
General remarks:
• So far, no formal evaluation of the DQR has been carried out in
Germany (too early, implementation takes time!)
• The impact depends on the particular character and objectives of
the DQR
• While the European dimension (transparency and mobility in
Europe) was the initial driver for the DQR development, the DQR
has more and more become a driver for developments in the
national education system
10Slovak Qualifications Framework Conference, 4 December 2017, Bratislava
Impact of the DQR
General observations so far:
• Increased communication, understanding and trust across
education sectors
• Increased transparency and better understanding of qualifications
• VET seems to benefit most from the DQR
11Slovak Qualifications Framework Conference, 4 December 2017, Bratislava
Impact of the DQR on VET
• Enhanced visibility of VET as a comprehensive system ranging
from level 1 to 7 (German VET is more than the dual system)
• Better visibility of formal further VET and its further structural
development including quality assurance (3 level system of further
training corresponding to DQR-/EQF-levels 5-7)
• Visibility and increased acceptance of equal value of VET and
higher education, especially through the learning outcomes based
comparison of qualifications and the indication of DQR-/EQF-levels
on qualifications documents
• Further implementation of learning outcomes approach in curricula
and training ordinances through formal regulations in VET and thus
fostering the competence orientation
• Profile building of VET (and higher education)