New qualifications framework launched

Steven Joyce said the changes were the most significant since the NQF was established in 1990. File photo / Hawke's Bay Today

A new unified qualifications framework will make life easier for employers and people who want to study, Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce says.

The New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) has replaced the Register of Quality Assured Qualifications and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Mr Joyce said today it was the one of the most significant changes to New Zealand qualifications since the NQF was established in 1990.

It is the first change to flow from a review of qualifications carried out last year.

"The qualifications review was designed to cut back on the number of unused or duplicate qualifications and ensure they were more recognisable to potential students and employers," Mr Joyce said.

"There was concern that the number of qualifications made it difficult for learners to select courses and for employers to assess the quality of qualifications and tell if potential employees had the skills and knowledge they need."

Mr Joyce said more changes would follow, resulting in a much stronger, clearer system which everyone would find easier to understand.

The introduction of the NZQF will immediately see the number of current qualifications drop by about 15 per cent, with the introduction of a new feature which assigns every qualification a status of current, expiring or discontinued.

The NZQF is consulting on the detail of other changes which will start being implemented from October.

- NZPA