- 2016Approved/Agreed
- 2017Implementation
- 2018Implementation
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Implementation
- 2023Implementation
- 2024Implementation
Description
In July 2016, the Slovenian Qualifications Framework (SQF) Act came into force, serving as the legal basis for SQF implementation and full operationalisation. The SQF register describes qualifications in accordance with SQF and EQF levels and contains 1 684 qualifications (1 358 educational qualifications, 312 national vocational qualifications and 13 supplementary qualifications). The adoption of the SQF Act in 2016 opened up the system to supplementary qualifications awarded on the labour market, establishing accreditation procedures and the criteria for placement into the SQF. It also stipulates the inclusion of SQF and EQF levels on certificates, diplomas and Europass documents, enabling the country to meet the second milestone of EQF implementation.
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.
Bodies responsible
- Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training (CPI)
Target groups
Learners
- Adult learners
- Older workers and employees (55 - 64 years old)
- Unemployed and jobseekers
- Persons in employment, including those at risk of unemployment
- Low-skilled/qualified persons
- Learners from other groups at risk of exclusion (minorities, people with fewer opportunities due to geographical location or social-economic disadvantaged position)
Education professionals
- Teachers
- Trainers
- School leaders
- Adult educators
- Guidance practitioners
Entities providing VET
- Companies
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- VET providers (all kinds)
Other stakeholders
- Social partners (employer organisations and trade unions)
Thematic categories
Transparency and portability of VET skills and qualifications
European principles and tools, such as EQF, ESCO, ECTS, Europass and ECVET, provide a strong basis for transparency and portability of national and sectoral qualifications across Europe, including the issuing of digital diplomas and certificates.
This thematic category looks at how individuals are supported in transferring, accumulating, and validating skills and competences acquired in formal, non-formal and informal settings – including learning on the job – and in having their learning recognised towards a qualification at any point of their lives. This is only possible if qualifications are transparent and comparable and are part of comprehensive national qualifications frameworks. Availability of qualifications smaller than full and acquirable in shorter periods of time is necessary; some countries have recently worked on developing partial qualifications, microcredentials, etc.
This thematic sub-category concerns all developments related to national qualification frameworks (NQFs). As in most countries NQFs are in place and referenced to the European qualifications framework (EQF), the thematic sub-category covers updating and expanding the frameworks, developing new qualifications and using NQFs as catalysts for other reforms.
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Slovenian Qualifications Framework Act (2016): Slovenia. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28798