The Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) has become a prominent feature of our qualifications system. Governed by statute, the NFQ was launched in 2003 as a framework for the development, recognition and award of qualifications in the State. Since then, the NFQ has become embedded in how we think and speak about qualifications in Ireland.  

Based on a system of levels of knowledge, skill and competence (learning outcomes), the Framework identifies the learning required for different levels of qualifications, as well as setting out the relationship between these different levels. It allows learners to understand the different levels of qualifications, as well as what is required to achieve an award at each of the levels. Similarly, it informs employers that those applying for positions who have reached a certain level in the framework have the level of knowledge and competency associated with that level in the framework.  A description of the NFQ can be found at the following link: www.nfq.ie

Indecon has been appointed by QQI to undertake an initial policy impact assessment of the NFQ.  The purpose of this assessment is to interact with stakeholders to form an understanding of the impacts and contribution of the NFQ. The assessment will also consider the development and governance of the NFQ, and inform the identification of future policy priorities for the Framework. 

We would be very appreciative of your inputs to this assessment and we would be grateful if you could respond to each question below. Your response will be treated in confidence, will be aggregated in anonymous form only along with other responses received, and will be used only for the purposes of informing this assessment. 

Please ensure to select "Done" when you have completed the questionnaire, so that your response will be submitted successfully.

We would be very grateful if you could submit your response as soon as possible or by no later than Thursday, 12 January 2017.

If you have any queries please email Dr. Ronnie O’Toole at rotoole@indecon.ie. 

Thank you very much for your assistance with this important assessment.






Background Information

Question Title

* 1. In which capacity are you responding? Please select all that apply:

Views on Policy Impacts of the National Framework of Qualifications

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* 2. Please indicate your views below on the contribution of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in improving the transparency of qualifications in Ireland (please select one option per row below):

  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
The NFQ has made qualification pathways easier to explain and understand
The NFQ has made the skills and competence of qualifications more visible
The NFQ has made it easier to see how qualifications relate to each other
The NFQ has made it easier to evaluate qualifications for work or study

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* 3. Please indicate your views in relation to the extent to which the development of the NFQ has contributed to achieving the following Quality-related impacts (please select one option per row below):

  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
Qualifications included in the NFQ are relevant for users (learners, employers etc.)
Qualifications included in the NFQ meet consistent quality standards wherever they are provided
Qualifications included in the NFQ are highly trusted, nationally and internationally
Overall, the NFQ has enhanced the quality of qualifications in Ireland

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* 4. Please indicate below your views in relation to the extent to which the development of the NFQ has contributed to achieving the following impacts in relation to Lifelong Learning and the Mobility of Learning and Qualifications (please select one option per row below):

  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
The NFQ has facilitated improved access to education and training courses
The NFQ has improved progression between qualifications achieved in school, in further and in higher education and training
The NFQ has made it easier for Irish qualifications to be understood, compared and valued in other countries
The NFQ has made it easier for qualifications achieved in other countries to be understood, compared and recognised in Ireland
The NFQ has made it easier to value and recognise learning and qualifications achieved outside of the formal/public education and training system
The NFQ has contributed to improving Ireland’s national performance in the area of Lifelong Learning

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* 5. Please indicate below your views in relation to the extent to which the development of the NFQ has contributed to achieving the following Employability-related impacts (please select one option per row below):

  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
The NFQ has improved the dialogue between the world of qualifications and the world of work
Vocational Qualifications included in the NFQ signal relevant skills and competencies required for particular occupations
The NFQ has facilitated better matching between skills and job vacancies
The NFQ has facilitated national monitoring and reporting of skills and qualifications output
The NFQ has facilitated workforce planning and development

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* 6. Based on your familiarity with education and training in Ireland, please indicate below your views in relation to the extent to which the development to-date of the NFQ has contributed to achieving the following impacts in relation to Teaching, Learning and Assessment practice (please select one option per row below):

  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
The learning outcomes approach of the NFQ has improved the practice of course and curricula design
The learning outcomes approach of the NFQ has improved teaching and learning practice
The learning outcomes approach of the NFQ has improved assessment practice
The learning outcomes approach of the NFQ has improved how standards of courses and curricula are monitored and maintained
The NFQ has made a positive contribution to the enhancement of teaching, learning and assessment
Views on the Development, Promotion and Governance of the NFQ

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* 7. Please indicate your views on how well informed you feel about the NFQ and how effectively the NFQ has been developed and promoted (please select one option for each of the aspects/rows below):

  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree Nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree
I am sufficiently informed about the NFQ
I have been appropriately involved in NFQ policy development and implementation
The NFQ as a policy instrument is consistent with other national policy in the area of qualifications (e.g. public funding policy, public sector recruitment, national strategies for skills development etc.)
The benefits/value of the NFQ are effectively promoted to stakeholders
The availability of NFQ guidance material and resources are appropriate to my needs
I am sufficiently informed about international developments relating to qualifications frameworks (e.g. European Qualifications Framework, Qualifications Framework for European Higher Education)
Views on Future Policy Priorities for the NFQ

Question Title

* 8. Please indicate the level of priority you would attach to each of the following NFQ functions for the future development of the Framework (please select one option for each row below):

  High Priority Medium Priority Low Priority
Communication Function – making qualifications and the qualifications system easier to understand
Quality Assurance Function – ensuring that qualifications are more reliable and valid
Regulatory Function – using the NFQ to control access to the market for qualifications in Ireland
Progression Function – using the NFQ to address obstacles to the mobility of qualifications within and between the education & training system
Recognition Function – supporting the recognition of Irish qualifications abroad and the recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland
Design Function – Supporting deeper implementation of the learning outcomes approach in qualifications
Additional Feedback

Question Title

* 9. We would also welcome any additional observations you may have, including in relation to successes or failures based on your engagement with the NFQ, any views on the effectiveness of how the NFQ has been developed, implemented and promoted, and any additional suggestions you may have concerning future policy priorities for the NFQ:

Thank you for your assistance with this assessment for QQI. Please ensure to select 'Done' below when you have completed this survey, to ensure your response is successfully submitted.

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