Slovenian Qualifications Framework Act (2016)

The national contact point for the national qualifications framework and European qualifications framework executed the first systematic evaluation of the Slovenian qualifications’ framework and its current level of implementation in terms of usability, awareness and recognisability between key stakeholders. Cedefop contributed to the evaluation with the professional support and expertise.

In addition, in 2019 Slovenia launched the Slovenian qualifications framework portal, providing user-friendly, transparent and comprehensive information on qualifications that can be obtained in Slovenia.

The national coordination point for the national qualifications framework and European qualifications framework in 2020 finished the first systematic evaluation of the Slovenian qualifications’ framework and the SQF register of qualifications, supported by Cedefop expertise, in terms of usability, awareness and recognisability between key stakeholders. The results of evaluation were disseminated on the final international conference at the 10th anniversary of the Slovenian qualifications framework with the participation of Cedefop and EC representatives. Furthermore, Slovenian EQF NCP continued to implement the Slovenian qualifications’ framework, with the emphasis on refreshing and updating the qualifications register, further development of the Supplementary qualifications system and promotion of the SQF in professional and general public.

In 2021, the SQF-EQF national coordination point (NCP) organised an international conference on including international qualifications in the national qualifications framework; it was attended by more than 70 participants from various institutions and countries. The Slovenian EQF NCP continued to implement the Slovenian qualifications’ framework, with emphasis on refreshing and updating the qualifications register, updating the interconnection with the Europass portal, further development of the Supplementary qualifications system and promotion of the SQF to the professional and general public through webinars for learners, jobseekers and the unemployed, and workshops for professionals on the use of the learning outcomes approach.

In 2022, the SQF-EQF national coordination point (NCP) organised a conference on micro-credentials with international experts; it was attended by more than 80 participants from various institutions and stakeholders. The Slovenian EQF NCP prepared the basis for national discussion on the need for updating the NQF referencing report as well as continued to implement the Slovenian qualifications’ framework, with emphasis on refreshing and updating the qualifications register, updating the interconnection with the Europass portal. Promotion of the SQF to the professional and general public through webinars/seminars and educational/career fairs for different target groups like learners, jobseekers and the unemployed, career counsellors was also carried out.

In 2023, the SQF-EQF national coordination point (NCP) analysed and discussed the need to review and update the Slovenian Qualifications Framework and its referencing to the EQF and QF-EHEA. This process included desk research, the preparation of professional documents, and the organisation of two focus groups with key stakeholders.

The NCP also explored the integration of micro-credentials into the national qualifications framework (NQF) by conducting desk research on the state of play of micro-credentials in the Slovenian qualifications system and holding two focus groups on the topic.

Promotion of the SQF among professional and general audiences was carried out through webinars, seminars, videos, and participation in educational and career fairs targeting learners, jobseekers, the unemployed, and career counsellors.

In 2024, the SQF-EQF NCP continued its work on integrating micro-credentials into the Slovenian Qualifications Framework. To support this, it established and expanded an interdepartmental working group, which serves as a counselling body for the SQF. This group meets regularly to further develop the inclusion of micro-credentials in the framework, considering perspectives from VET, CVET, and higher education.

The NCP also conducted comparative desk research on different countries' approaches to micro-credentials and their level of development. Additionally, the promotion of the SQF/EQF continued through webinars, seminars, short promotional videos, and educational and career fairs aimed at learners, jobseekers, the unemployed, and career counsellors.

Building on the activities launched in 2024, the SQF–EQF National Coordination Point (NCP), which is located within CPI, continued the implementation of the SQF Act, with a particular focus on updating the SQF register. This included transferring the SQF register into the Qualifications Data Register (QDR), which required corresponding updates to the SQF portal. In parallel, information, awareness-raising activities and promotional measures were carried out to further enhance the visibility and usability of the SQF and EQF among key stakeholder groups.

Special emphasis was placed on the further development of the SQF. Intensive analytical work was conducted to explore the possibilities of opening the national framework to new types of qualifications (micro-credentials) and qualifications acquired outside formal education systems. To this end, the NCP SQF–EQF coordinated the functioning of an (informal) interdepartmental working group. The group includes experts from different ministries and other stakeholders from the education sector and facilitates the exchange of information and ensures high-level interdepartmental coordination

At European level, the SQF–EQF NCP participated in professional meetings and peer learning activities, including meetings of the EQF Advisory Group, facilitating the transfer of European developments and good practices to the national context.

To support these activities, the expert group for the SQF was reactivated and expanded through a public call. Its main task is to examine the potential opening of the national qualifications framework in line with the core objectives of the SQF and in response to the emergence of new types of qualifications. The members of the expert group were selected through a public call open to professionals with expertise in the national and international qualifications systems. Following an evaluation process, five experts were appointed.