Albania

In June 2006 the Minister of Education and Science and the Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities created the Albanian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Task Force, co-chaired by two deputy ministers. Following intensive work, including consultations with stakeholders, the task force developed a Consultation Paper with recommendations on:

• the purposes and scope of the AQF;

• level descriptors aligned with the EQF;

• the institutional structure and arrangements for governance of the AQF;

• legislative requirements.

In June 2008 the task force recommended an acceleration of the necessary procedures for the establishment of the AQF, suggesting that the Draft AQF Law and additional relevant material should be reviewed by councils that are directly affected by AQF implementation. It also suggested that the Albanian Qualification Framework set should be presented to the Parliamentary Commission for Education and Public Information Means.

The AQF provisions were based on the functions of existing institutions, with the aim of minimising additional public expenses and at the same time ensuring effective management of AQF implementation. Based on a proposal from the task force, technical working groups were established on AQF Levels and Credits, AQF Quality Assurance, AQF Institutional Structure, Standards and Assessment in VET Qualifications, and AQF Legislation and Regulations.