Presentation of results of a study on comparing qualifications carried out by 3s at Cedefop’s 3rd Policy Learning Forum on ‘Defining, writing and using learning outcomes’

The policy learning forum (PLF) on learning outcomes in VET was organised in cooperation with UNESCO and took place in Thessaloniki on 21 and 22 June.

The 2018 PLF focussed on international cooperation and built on messages from Cedefop’s European handbook on defining, writing and applying learning outcomes, which was published in 2017.

The discussion focused on four main issues:

• conceptual roots of the learning outcomes approach;
• the role of learning outcomes in governing education and training;
• learning outcomes as a common, international language;
• updating the handbook.

In his keynote speech on ‘Learning outcomes and comparability of qualifications – Methodological issues and challenges involved‘, Borhene Chakroun (UNESCO) presented results of a study carried out by 3s (in cooperation with Ockham IPS, NL). This study was based on the comparative analysis of the profile and content of four VET qualifications in 26 countries across the world, and from four different continents.

The comparative study focused on intended learning outcomes and aimed at identifying similarities and differences between qualifications. This should enable national stakeholders to reflect on their own choices and priorities and in turn inform the potential future development of guidelines for cross-country recognition of qualifications. The study was carried out in close cooperation with Cedefop, UNESCO, and the ETF (European Training Foundation).

Results of this study were published in the following article: Bjørnåvold, J.; Chakroun, B. (2017). Learning outcomes in comparing VET qualification profiles: a global approach. In: Cedefop, ETF, UNESCO, UIL (2017). Global inventory of regional and national qualifications frameworks 2017 Volume I: Thematic chapters. Link 

Further information on the PLF is available here.