The Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC) is still on track to establish a National Qualifications Framework (NQF), which will combine all models of education into one integrated framework, says Executive Director Lisa Gale.
Indicating that the BAC has been finding it challenging to effectively compare foreign qualifications to local ones and local awards with each other, she said this was due to the lack of a standardised benchmarks for qualifications.
“This limitation extends to skills and awards gained through informal and non-formal learning. However, to address this issue, Barbados has agreed to establish an internationally-recognised National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as part of the Human Resource Development Strategy 2011-2016,” she said.
“The NQF is expected to combine all models of education into one integrated framework, which will bring all educational outlets/entities under one umbrella. The unification of these models will provide greater access to learning, thereby improving the quality of Barbados’ education and training systems as well as facilitating the human resource development in Barbados,” she explained.
In an update in a BAC publication, Gale said plans were still on the cards to establish a Barbados Qualifications and Credit Framework (BQCF), a Barbados Qualifications Register (BQR), and a Barbados Accreditation and Qualifications Authority (BAQA).
To give effect to the BQCF, BQR and BAQA, it will require a new structure and the preparation of the necessary legislation, she said.
The BQCF will consolidate the delivery of education and training under a single framework, making it easier for learners to enter the educational system as well as move and progress within it, improve the education quality in Barbados, expand access to learning and work opportunities for all and enable learners to develop to their full potential.
The new framework comprises eight qualification levels that reflect the current system of education and training in Barbados and will cover three subsectors in the educational system – general education, technical and vocational education and training and tertiary education.
“The BQCF makes provision for qualifications that fall under these subsectors and will take into account those who are competent but do not possess formal qualifications. These individuals will be evaluated through the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process, and provided with a learning record or qualification. Second chance opportunities for education are also made possible through an ‘access’ pathway on the BQCF,” Gale explained.
Each qualification level of the BQCF will describe the expected competencies or learning outcomes in relation to knowledge, understanding, skills, autonomy, responsibility and life skills. The BQCF will also allow for credit accumulation and transfer, facilitating educational and labour mobility within and outside the region, she said.
The BQR, a centralised database, will provide information to employers, trainers, and learners on education and training opportunities and assessment and certification services in academic, technical, and vocational education and training.
Gale said: “With plans underway, the execution of this framework will be advantageous for Barbadians from an array of educational backgrounds.
“I optimistically look forward to the successful implementation of the BQCF, BAQA and the BQR,” she said.
According to the BAC, last year saw the addition of agriculture workers and security guards in the list of accepted categories for the CARICOM-skilled Nationals. This brought the total number of categories to 12.
The latter half of the year also saw the BAC introduce assessment exercises done by the SJPI for applicants who apply under the artiste category.
In 2021, 219 certificates were issued representing a four per cent decline from the 227 issued in 2020.
The graduate category (110) remained the most common category of those who were issued CARICOM Skills Certificates. Unlike what has been seen in previous years, however, the artiste category ranked at second (40), while the holder of an Associate Degree or comparable qualification category (30) now ranked third.
(MM)
