Qualifications at level 5 : progressing in a career or to higher education

This study examines qualifications at level 5 of the European qualifications framework (EQF). It shows that EQF level 5 qualifications play an important role in providing access to employment and career advancement, as well as enabling further learning and progression to higher education. This double function makes them attractive to learners and employers. Although the extent to which countries use qualifications at EQF level 5 differs, their importance is growing in all countries investigated for several reasons. First, they are developed as response to increased needs for advanced technical and/or management skills in a rapidly changing labour market and ageing workforce. Second, the data show that EQF level 5 qualifications are especially attractive to students with vocational education and training (VET) backgrounds and those already in employment. They contribute to lifelong learning by being accessible and attractive for adults and non-traditional learners. Third, they are seen as valuable and relevant by employers, as most include some form of work-based learning. The development of comprehensive NQFs - including qualifications at all levels and of all types - in most European countries has shed new light on the potential of EQF level 5 qualifications. By acting as a bridge between education and training institutions and subsystems, these qualifications support permeability (vertically and horizontally), allowing learners to move more easily between different types of education (such as academic and vocational) and between different levels (such as VET and higher education), as they decide. The study also shows that EQF level 5 is increasingly being used as a platform for developing new types of qualifications, whether initial (IVET) or continuing vocational education and training (CVET) qualifications or short-cycle higher education (SCHE) qualifications. The study aims to stimulate policy discussion on the types, purposes and potential of qualifications at EQF level 5 in contributing to and addressing current and future policy challenges, such as improving the relevance of qualifications for the rapidly changing labour market, workforce upskilling and reskilling, and helping people change or progress in their career or opening doors for further learning though validation of work experience and non-formal and informal learning.