Turkey: taking stock of the National Qualifications Framework

The Turkish Vocational Qualifications Authority hosted a webinar, reflecting on "The Past, Today and Future of the Turkish Qualifications Framework" in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey and the ETF. 

The ETF Director, in his opening address, highlighted the achievements of the Turkish National Qualifications Framework which began preparations in 2010 and concluded referencing to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) in 2015. The Turkish Vocational Qualifications Authority is the EQF National Coordination Point.

“You have learned and been inspired by other European peers’ work while also sharing your experience and best practice” said Cesare Onestini.

The commitment of forward-looking counterparts at national and international levels has been a key success factor in the implementation progress of the Turkish national qualifications’ framework. Financial and technical support has been made available nationally, and through EU Programmes in which the ETF has been closely involved providing specialised support. 

Joining the ETF Director in making an opening address were Barbara Rambousek, Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), who referred to the need to create actions from policy responses; Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, who praised the ambition and effort in implementing the national qualifications framework and the broad stakeholder engagement and commitment of the Ministry of National Education, Council of Higher Education and Turkish Higher Education Quality Council; and Mr Adem Ceylan, the Director of the Turkish Vocational Qualifications Authority who’s overview of the future challenges pointed to integrated qualifications, improvements in quality assurance, the promotion of lifelong learning and greater opportunities for everyone. Recognition of learning is needed to implement upskilling pathways and to support more diverse ways of learning for the future. 

The ETF and the Turkish authorities also cooperate in other areas such as work-based learning, continuous professional development for teachers, skills for the future, supporting Turkish youth and refugees, inclusive growth sectors such as manufacturing and agrifood, and Centres of Vocational Excellence. 

The ETF and the EBRD work in complementarity in Turkey to support cooperation between relevant stakeholders from the worlds of policy making and the private sector.