1       Introduction

The National Qualifications Institute of Angola co-organises with the project "African Continental Qualifications Framework" (ACQF-II), the African Union and African countries and Regional Economic Communities the 2^nd continental “Forum of the institutions of National Qualifications Frameworks". This workshop will take place in Angola, from 5 to 6 September 2024, at the Hotel Alvalade, Luanda. The workshop languages are English, French, and Portuguese. Streaming is available to ensure wider participation.

1.1      Background

The ACQF-II project was launched in April 2023 to support the implementation of ACQF as a continental policy instrument, contributing to transparency, comparability and recognition of qualifications, collaboration between NQFs, promotion of lifelong learning, and support to Member States in the development of NQFs and related policies. The ACQF-II project supports referencing of National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF) to ACQF; and develops and operationalises innovative tools such as the Qualifications and Credentials Platform (national and continental levels), the RPL campaign, and Skills Data Focus (labour market intelligence tools). The ACQF Website is home to all outputs and updated information on the activities.

This  2^nd NQF Forum is part of the programme of training, dialogue and peer-to-peer sharing workshops organised by the ACQF-II project in 2024. This workshop will be followed by two events addressing policies and practices on the following themes: evolving qualification frameworks; referencing between NQFs and ACQF; recognition of prior learning (RPL); credit accumulation and transfer systems; micro-credentials; greening of qualifications and NQFs; common occupational profiles; governance of qualifications in a changing world; the ACQF Qualifications and Credentials Platform (QCP); the Network of NQFs Africa.

Programme of workshops in the period September to November 2024 – indicative dates:

1.2      Recommendations of the 1st NQF Forum

The 1^st NQF Forum took place in Kinshasa (18-20 June 2024) and recommended:

1. Support and boost the development and implementation of National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) – inclusive and comprehensive, future-proof, adaptable to the demands of digital and green transformation, supporting employability, social inclusion and lifelong learning, and supported by evidence.
2. Support the connection and mutual trust between qualifications frameworks at the 3 levels (national-regional and continental): through referencing, the ACQF platform of qualifications, innovations, the VAE campaign, and sharing of good practices. Support the establishment of the African Network of Qualifications Frameworks, to ensure the sustainability of the achievements of the ACQF-II project.
3. Create synergies and complementarities between the ACQF and the Addis and Global Recognition Conventions – with common objectives and practical actions.
4. Harness the innovative power of the green and digital transformation of jobs and skills. Joint policies and practices to develop green and digital skills: national, sectoral and specific (education and training, qualifications, innovation, academic research and links with industry). Ensure an active role of CNCs, Regional Qualifications Frameworks and ACQFs as catalysts.
5. An urgent call to action: explore, develop and implement micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability linked to National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs).
6. Implement data systems and tools: interoperable databases on qualifications at all levels and sub-sectors; implementation of RPL; Real-time data and analysis on skills demand. Learners' achievements.
7. Share experiences and best practices through sharing platforms: technical guidelines and documentation, qualifications standards and other achievements of interest for the success and impact of the NQF, RQF and ACQF.
8. Strengthen the capacities of institutions, human resources and stakeholders.

1.3      Context

Considering the African Continental Education Strategy (CESA-25), in particular its Goals 4c), 4d) which call on Member States to: 4c) "Establish National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) and Regional Qualifications Frameworks (RQFs) to facilitate the creation of multiple pathways for the acquisition of skills and competencies as well as mobility between sub-sectors; and 4d) "Develop a continental qualifications framework linked to regional qualifications frameworks as well as national qualifications frameworks in order to facilitate regional integration and graduate mobility".

Led by the ACQF Policy Paper that was validated by the Member States of the African Union in July 2023 and the primary role it gives to capacity building, networking, advocacy and communication;

Supported by the project "Implementation of the African Continental Qualifications Framework", supported by the African Union, the European Union and ETF in the period 2023-2026;

Noting the imperative of lifelong learning, mobility of skills and qualifications, and improved employability, which NQFs need to support and strengthen

Recalling the importance of education, training and skills for the success of the green and digital transformation, for sustainable, inclusive and equitable growth, and for the beneficial use of new forms of Artificial Intelligence;

Noting the need for innovation in education and training systems (all levels) to strengthen their response to labour market and societal demands, and to adopt new approaches to skills development and recognition, such as micro-credentials and validation of non-formal and informal learning;

Guided by the context of African integration strategies, in particular Agenda 2063 and its Implementation Plan for the first ten years 2023, CESA-25, the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as the seventeen recommendations made by the TVET Round Table on 10-14 November 2023.

Inspired by the priorities set by the African Union for the year 2024 dedicated to the theme "Educating an Africa fit for the twenty-first century – building resilient education systems, for increased access to inclusive, qualitative, lifelong learning, and relevant to Africa".

2       Objectives of the NQF Forum

Main themes explored at the 2^nd NQF Forum:

• Referencing to ACQF - kick-off the pilot phase of referencing
• Qualifications and Credentials Platform (QCP): training on main themes - explore the functionalities of the national qualifications database; prepare qualifications for the database;
• New generation National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs): innovative features, aspirations and instruments
• Quality assurance for mutual trust Policies and tools for lifelong learning related to the NQF: RPL; CATS; micro-credentials
• Green NQFs, green ACQF: orientations and next steps

The 2^nd NQF Forum builds on the recommendations of the 1st Forum (Kinshasa, 18-20 June 2024).