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TVETipedia Glossary


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Find and compare definitions of key terms in TVET


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Qualification

A formal proof of successfully completed learning according to an agreed standard.



A qualification is formal certification, issued by an official agency, in recognition that an individual has been assessed as achieving learning outcomes or competencies to the standard specified for the qualification title, usually a type of certificate, diploma or degree. Learning and assessment for a qualification can take place through workplace experience and/or a program of study. A qualification confers official recognition of value in the labour market and in further education and training.



The official confirmation, usually in the form of a document, certifying the successful completion of an education programme or a stage of a programme. Qualifications can be obtained through: i) successful completion of a full education programme; ii) successful completion of a stage of an education programme (intermediate qualifications); or iii) validation of acquired knowledge, skills and competencies, independent of participation in an education programme. This may also be referred to as a ‘credential’.

Source:
UIS, ISCED 2011 (International Standard Classification of Education), 2012


Formal expression of the vocational or professional abilities of a worker which are recognized at international, national or sectoral levels and which takes the form of an official record (certificate or diploma) of achievement, attesting to successful completion of education or training, or satisfactory performance in a test or examination.

Source:
ILO, Changing demand for skills in digital economies and societies: Literature review and case studies from low- and middle-income countries. (Glossary on pp. 12-13), 2021


A proxy for the different types of learning required by an individual using learning outcomes.

(Comment: Qualifications are limited in the extent to which they are able to describe different types of learning, but are nonetheless accepted as an acceptable proxy.)

Source:
UNESCO, Level-setting and recognition of learning outcomes: The use of level descriptors in the twenty-first century, 2015


This term has two dimensions:

  • Formal qualification: the formal outcome (certificate, diploma or title) of an assessment process which is obtained when a competent body determines that an individual has achieved learning outcomes to given standards and/or possesses the necessary competence to do a job in a specific area of work. A qualification confers official recognition of the value of learning outcomes in the labour market and in education and training. A qualification can be a legal entitlement to practise a trade (OECD);
  • Job requirements: knowledge, aptitudes and skills required to perform specific tasks attached to a particular work position (ILO).
Source

Cedefop, 2008, based on Eurydice, 2006; European Training Foundation, 1997; OECD, 2007a; ILO, 1998

Source:
Cedefop, Glossary. Terminology of European education and training policy, (accessed 03/2023)


The formal outcome (certificate, diploma or title) of an assessment and validation process which is obtained when a competent body determines that an individual has achieved learning outcomes to given standards and/or possesses the necessary competence to do a job in a specific area of work.

Source:
Cedefop, Terminology of European education and training policy. A selection of 100 key terms, 2008


The term qualification covers different aspects: (a) see above, the definition from CEDEFOP. (b) job requirements: the knowledge, aptitudes and skills required to perform the specific tasks attached to a particular work position (ILO).

Source:
Cedefop, Terminology of European education and training policy. A selection of 100 key terms, 2008


Formal certification that is awarded by an accredited authority in recognition of the successful completion of an educational program. In the vocational education and training (VET) sector, qualifications are awarded when a person has satisfied all requirements of the units of competency or modules that comprise an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification, as specified by a nationally endorsed training package or an accredited course that provides training for that qualification.

Source:
NCVER (Australia), VOCEDplus: Glossary of VET, (accessed 12/2022)


1. Certification awarded to a person on successful completion of a course in recognition of having achieved particular knowledge, skills or competencies.

2. The requirements for an individual to enter or progress within an occupation.

Source:
UNESCO-UNEVOC/NCVER, TVET glossary: some key terms, 2009


The official confirmation, usually in the form of a document certifying the successful completion of an educational programme or of a stage of a programme. Qualifications can be obtained through: i) successful completion of a full programme; ii) successful completion of a stage of a programme (intermediate qualifications); or iii) validation of acquired knowledge, skills and competencies, independent of participation in such programmes. This may also be referred to as a ‘credential’.

Source:
UIS, Glossary, (accessed 12/2022)


Certification awarded to an individual in recognition of having achieved particular knowledge, skills or competencies. It is also the formal expression of the vocational or professional abilities of a worker which is recognized at international, national or sectoral levels.

Source:
ILO, Glossary of Key Terms on Learning and Training for Work, 2006


When a competent body determines that an individual has learned knowledge, skills and/or wider competences to specific standards.

Source:
OECD, Glossary of terms used in the international survey of VET systems, 2009


A registered national qualification consisting of a planned combination of learning outcomes which has a defined purpose or purposes, intended to provide qualifying learners with applied competence and a basis for further learning and which has been assessed in terms of exit level outcomes, registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and certified and awarded by a recognised body.

Source:
SAQA (South Africa), TVET Standard Glossary of Terms, 2013


A package of standards or units judged to be worthy of formal recognition in a certificate.

Source:
ILO, An Introductory Guide to National Qualifications Frameworks, 2007


Planned combination of learning outcomes with a defined purpose or purposes, including defined, applied and demonstrated competence and a basis for further learning.

Source:
SADC, Glossary, 2011


Refers to a package of competencies describing a particular function or job role existing in an economic sector, covering the work activities required to undertake a particular job. Depending on the breadth, depth and scope of competency, a qualification may fall under National certificate levels I, II, III, IV or diploma. A National Certificate is a full qualification while a Certificate of Competency is leading to a qualification. It also refers to a formal certification that a person has successfully achieved specific learning outcomes relevant to the identified academic, industry or community requirements. A qualification confers official recognition of value in the labor market and in further education and training.

Source: TESDA Circular No. 107, s. 2021

Source:
TESDA (Philippines), TVET glossary of terms (online), (accessed 12/2022)


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