CollegesWales, through its capacity as Wales National Contact Point for
the European Qualifications Framework, completed research in 2016 into the European
Master Craftsperson qualifications and whether there is a desire for creating
a Master Craftsperson qualification route in Wales. The research considers the
viability and potential uptake of such programmes in Wales and the introduction
of Master Craftsperson frameworks at EQF levels 4 and 5.
These frameworks will contain multiple strands of qualifications and learning,
including sector specific, management and teaching / coaching qualifications,
supported by a time framed work record. In the first instance there is a focus
on the following sectors:
- Business Management and Administration
- Construction
- Engineering
- Finance
- Health and Social Care
- Hospitality and Tourism
The aim of adopting the Master Craftsperson designation in Wales is to ensure
that the business sector will have no barriers to working overseas, to ensure
that best practice models are adopted and to be more effective in attracting
foreign direct investment.
The proposed sector specific Master Craftsperson frameworks have the potential
to market existing high level skills whilst recognising the learning that contributes
to the profitability and productivity of a business in the hands of the Master
Craftsperson. It is hoped that the new designation can be instrumental in bringing
about a shift in work based learning across Wales.
CollegesWales is currently conducting further research and collecting questionnaire
responses from employees, businesses and skills providers to decide how best
to proceed.
Further information: http://www.collegeswales.ac.uk/Master-Craftperson
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