Written Statement: Re-referencing the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) to the European Qualifications Framework

I am pleased to announce the publication of the Referencing the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW) to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Report (external link).

The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is an overarching framework which acts as a translation device to link countries’ qualification systems and frameworks. It makes understanding, recognising and comparing qualifications from different European countries easier. 

The CQFW was first referenced to the EQF in 2010. The European Commission regards re-referencing as a continuous process of review in order to remain current.

CollegesWales, in its capacity as the EQF National Coordination Point for Wales, project-managed the re-referencing exercise and sub-contracted the development of the report to one of the CQFW’s partners, Qualifications Wales. Other CQFW partners, the Welsh Government, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and members of the CQFW stakeholder Advisory Group also supported the report’s development.

In developing the report Qualifications Wales consulted widely with key stakeholders and received input from international qualification framework experts in order to gather evidence against the 10 referencing criteria. It also reflected on the findings of the independent qualitative review of the CQFW (2014), which demonstrated clear support from stakeholders for continued alignment of the CQFW to the EQF. The EQF Advisory Group approved the referencing report on 11 June and points requiring clarification have been addressed in the published version.

Re-referencing has provided the opportunity to offer current information to reflect the significant changes in the Welsh qualifications landscape and divergence amongst the UK’s education systems since 2010. Having an up to date re-referencing report will help individuals to compare their own qualifications with other nations, support progression and mobility to and from Wales, and support the Welsh economy by helping us to attract a skilled workforce.