Nairobi Training Workshop

09-11 October 2023, from 09.00 to 17.00 (East Africa time)

For your information and preparation:

• View and download the 10 ACQF training modules, 10 Guidelines, thematic presentations, and the thematic briefs.
  
• ACQF Policy Document validated by the AU Member States (July 2023): in English, in French and in Portuguese languages

Theme of the training programme 2023: “Making National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF) operational in a changing world.”

The number of countries in Africa with NQFs at stage of development and consultation, and at stage of implementation has been growing in the last years – approx. 33 countries can be included in this group. On the other side, many countries are at initial stage of reflection regarding their future NQF. Among countries with longstanding NQF implementation experience, the majority are reviewing and improving important aspects and instruments of the NQF, enabling their responsiveness to changing needs and learning. NQFs are not set in stone, they adapt.

NQFs are evolving, widening their scope, and engaging with digitalization. Learning in all contexts (including non-formal and informal) matters more than ever, as the transformation of work, technologies and greening of the economy requires faster re- and up-skilling, flexible acquisition of credentials for lifelong learning and work, and transparent qualifications based on quality and trusted provision at all levels of the NQF. Responsive and effective NQFs contribute to the SDG-4 and 8, and to the wider objectives of skills revolution, social inclusion, and improved employability for all categories of the population.

The project ACQF-II (2023-end 2026) is structured to deliver on three key outcomes:

1. Output 1: Capacity development, networking, and mutual learning.
2. Output 2: Support to countries and regions: NQF development and implementation.
3. Output 3: Governance and implementation capacity: Governance set-up. ACQF Qualifications and Credentials Platform. Referencing NQF-ACQF. Common profiles of qualifications

In 2023 the project ACQF-II organises two training workshops (Nairobi and Accra) and the annual conference (Maputo). These events will be multilingual and streamed. The relevant national NQF authorities are committed and motivated to co-host these events.

• Nairobi, 09-11 October
• Accra, 7-8 November
• Maputo, 5-6 December

Participants include institutions responsible for the coordination and management of NQFs, Regional Economic Communities (IGAD and SADC), organisations responsible for quality assurance in education and training (CAMES, IUCEA, GQAA), All-Africa Students Union, UNESCO, and experts. Countries represented: Angola, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Djibouti, Eswatini, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and South Sudan. Also participating are the two co-chairs of the ACQF Advisory Group (Cameroon and SADC) and countries with globally recognised NQF experience (South Africa – SAQA) and Kenya (KNQA).

The three events share a common thematic agenda, based on the following main themes:

1. NQF in a changing world: Development, implementation, monitoring and review / adaptation. NQF instruments and processes, quality assurance.
2. Registration of qualifications in NQF / register – benchmarking.
3. Qualifications are changing. Adaptation to green and digital transformation, digitalization, new types of credentials.
4. Validation and recognition of learning outcomes and skills / competences from different contexts of learning. Skills and competences of labour migrants and refugees.
5. Micro-credentials: new opportunities for flexible pathways, lifelong learning, employability, and career development. A global movement.
6. Shaping comparability of qualifications and credentials to facilitate portability, recognition of qualifications, and mutual trust.
7. Governance of skills and qualifications ecosystems: governance models, linked policies, information and analysis, stakeholders’ participation, and comparisons between NQFs-RQFs and ACQF. Complementarities between Addis Recognition Convention, ACQF, NQFs.