Jens Bjornavold is working in the Brussels office of European Centre for Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP). Employed by the centre since 1996, his main focus has been on research and analysis related to transparency and recognition of qualifications and validation of informal and non-formal learning. In recent years he has been working on questions related to learning outcomes and how this influences education and training policies and practices, for example in the form of international and national qualifications frameworks.  Bjornavold has been involved in the development and implementation of the European Qualifications Framework from the very beginning of the work in 2003-2004.. In the period 2000-2005 Bjornavold worked for the European Commission, DG Education and Culture. During this period he was closely involved in developing the EU lifelong learning strategy, the Copenhagen-Maastricht process in vocational education and training, the Europass and the European Qualifications Framework.  Before entering the services of Cedefop and the European Commission, Bjornavold  worked as a researcher and research co-ordinator in various Norwegian research organisations. His work concentrated on the link between education and work, with a particular emphasis on the role of adult education and training. He has published a number of reports, articles and books on these themes.