About NQF Twinning SHARING EXPERTISE & INFORMATION Twinning is a European Union instrument for institutional cooperation between public administrations of EU Member States and similar institutions in partner countries. Twinning projects bring together public sector expertise from EU Member States and partner countries, with the aim of achieving concrete mandatory operational results through peer-to-peer activities. Thus Twinning is based on partnership and genuine cooperation between equal partners. The Israeli NQF The Israeli government in its Resolution no. 147 of June 28, 2015, decided to take several measures for the improvement of the human capital, furthering equal opportunities in all sectors in the Israeli society, and enhancing training and skill levels of Israeli society. Amongst the other recommendations, the Inter-Ministerial Working Group (WG)* suggested the development of an Israeli National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) as an essential tool in achieving the goals established in the Resolution no. 147, such as validation/accreditation of different qualifications between education and professional sectors; increasing of mobility and exchange of information between sectors; increasing the number of high-school students; enhanced integration and reduction of disparities in Israeli economy through the educational system. The National Qualification Framework is crucial for enhancing transparency, comparability and recognition of qualifications within Israel and across other countries, thus promoting equal opportunities for all individuals through lifelong learning, increasing national and international mobility and facilitating the recognition of prior and informal learning. A Qualifications Framework is a system for classification, publication and articulation of quality assured qualifications according to a set of criteria (UNESCO 202 EX/8, 2017). In 2008 the European Union adopted the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and since then it is working to make qualifications more readable and understandable across different EU countries and systems. The EQF is a common reference framework of eight levels based on learning outcomes. It covers all types and levels of learning and is a translation device between the different National Qualifications Frameworks. EQF defines learning outcomes as statements of what a learner knows, understands and is able to do on completion of a learning process. Learning Outcomes describe the content of qualifications, clarifying what is expected from a learner. They support progression in learning, making it possible to compare and combine learning from different contexts (formal, non-formal or informal). Main features of the NQF:Levels based on expected learning outcomes – Most commonly, NQF describe tertiary qualifications based on levels of knowledge, skills, competencies, values and attitudes, etc. NQFs describe types of qualifications and how levels connect with one another (e.g. how academic and vocational qualifications compare)Part of a system of quality assurance policies – An effective system of quality assurance is fundamental to support a well-functioning NQFMultiple sectors and learner pathways – While diverse, NQFs tend to be inclusive of all tertiary education and training sectors and learning pathways (e.g. TVET, higher education, and public and private institutions)Embrace different ways of learning – NQF often include different modes of learning, including formal, nom-formal and informal learning so that outcomes are comparable, recognizable and transferable, and thus contribute to lifelong learning.* the WG includes a number of institutions such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Labor and Welfare and Social Services, the Ministry of Defense, the Council for Higher Education , the Manufacturers Association of Israel (MAI), National Students Union, Trade Union, etc.Drawing on the EU and Italian experience in implementing the EQF/NQF, the EU provided a € 1,8 million grant to Israel in order to support the implementation of the envisaged reform.The Twinning Project "Establishment of the Israeli NQF as a mechanism to fostering the development of Israeli Human Capital" aims to support the establishment of a functioning National Qualification Framework by contributing to the works of the inter-ministerial WG and providing concrete examples on how to bring qualifications from different educational sectors such as VET and Higher Education into a single framework. During the Twinning project, the Italian experts support the Israeli partners in designing and providing training and awareness raising events in order to ehnance stakeholders' engagement and participation.The Twinning is focused on three main components:The institutional component focusing on the establishment of the Israel NQF Apex Body and its governance options (i.e. the role of each actor such as institutions, agencies, providers, social partners in the framework).The structural component for defining the structure of the NQF and a roadmap including proposed level descriptors, procedures for levelling of qualifications, standards and criteria for drafting the learning outcomesThe legal component aiming to provide to the Israeli authorities some recommendations to establish the legal framework for the Israeli NQF and for its implementations. The works start focusing on 3 / 4 pilot sectors and institutions showing readiness and willingness to start practicing with the functioning of the NQF. The Twinning Project is funded by the European Union in the framework of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.The Twinning is the EU instrument for institutional cooperation bringing together public sector expertise from EU Member States and beneficiary countries with the aim of achieving concrete mandatory operational results through peer to peer activities. The Israeli administrative partner for this Project is the Ministry of Education. IL Project Leader: Ms. Tsipi Weinberg, DEFAD, tsipiwe@education.gov.il The Italian implementing partner is the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR), supported by CIMEA and Studiare Sviluppo. IT Project Leader: Mr. Federico Cinquepalmi, federico.cinquepalmi@miur.it العربية עברית