Frameworks & Standards

National Qualifications FrameworkNQF

A nationally agreed system that classifies qualifications by levels of learning outcomes, making them comparable, transparent and portable across education, training and the labour market.

A National Qualifications Framework (NQF) arranges qualifications into a hierarchy of levels defined by learning outcomes — what a holder is expected to know, understand and be able to do. By providing a shared reference, an NQF makes qualifications transparent to employers, supports credit transfer and progression pathways, and underpins quality assurance.

Frameworks also enable the recognition of prior learning and, where regionally aligned, support the cross-border mobility of skilled labour. Establishing or strengthening qualifications frameworks is a core area of TVET system reform.

Related concepts

Technical and Vocational Education and TrainingTVETQualifications frameworks give structure and portability to TVET qualifications.Competency-Based Training and AssessmentCBT&ACompetency-based qualifications are levelled and made portable through a qualifications framework.Recognition of Prior LearningRPLRPL relies on a qualifications framework to carry the recognised credit.

Where indeson applied it

Development of Dual TVET Programs in the Georgian ICT Sector

Georgia

Dual TVET system development and ICT sector modernization

Qualifications-framework work supported the Georgian dual TVET programmes.

Train the Trainers on CBT&A Methodology and Technical Skill Upgradation, NVQF Levels 5–7

Pakistan

Certifying 100 master and industry trainers to cascade competency-based training to 1,000 teachers across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan

Qualifications-framework alignment featured in the Pakistan Green TVET project.

Rehabilitation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Somalia

Somalia

Rebuilding Somalia's vocational training system: Somali NQF levels 1–5, quality assurance, teacher qualification and inclusive access in a fragile context

Qualifications-framework considerations featured in the Somalia TVET rehabilitation work.

Strengthening IGAD Migration Policy Implementation II (SIMPI): Qualifications Frameworks and Skills Recognition

Djibouti

Aligning National Qualifications Frameworks with the IGAD Regional Qualifications Framework across seven member states — RPL, credit transfer, gender-responsive monitoring and regional data systems

National Qualifications Frameworks were assessed and referenced against the regional framework.

Rehabilitation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Somalia

Somalia

Rebuilding Somalia's vocational training system: Somali NQF levels 1–5, quality assurance, teacher qualification and inclusive access in a fragile context

Modular qualifications were aligned with Somali NQF levels 1-5 and linked to assessment and RPL.