Detailed roadmap for the eqf referencing of the nqf in fyrom

4.6. Classification of qualifications

The qualifications are classified according to: levels, types and sectors. They are registered in the national database of qualifications (Register). Currently the national Register is in construction, and the Inventory of Qualifications (2014) represents its starting point.

Types of qualifications

The Macedonian Qualifications Framework recognises the following types of qualifications:

1. 
   Еducational qualifications and
   
2. 
   Vocational qualifications.
   

Educational qualification - is a qualification obtained within the formal education system with necessary qualification volume and documented with a diploma/certificate. Educational qualifications are acquired by completing education for publicly adopted educational programmes and by achieving the learning outcomes. These qualifications aim to enable continuation of education, employment or personal development. They provide access to vertical progression in the formal education system.
Vocational qualification – is a qualification acquired for part of a publicly adopted education programme (modules, courses, etc.), by completing a special education programme, or through validation of non-formal learning. The achieved learning outcomes are documented with a certificate. They contain vocational competences from one or more standards of occupations. These qualifications aim to enable employment and personal development. By their nature, these qualifications, in principle, do not provide access to vertical progression in the formal education system.
Table 35: Classification of qualifications

	Type of qualification
	Educational qualification	Vocational qualification
Purpose	Continuation of education or labour marked	Labour market or personal development
Type of document	Certificate or diploma	Certificate

The NQF Law has introduced a number of new concepts (e.g. type of qualifications) which require further reflection and debates among stakeholder experts. In the future adjustments would be made in the legal -regulatory framework.

Sectors of qualifications

Qualifications are grouped according to sectors.

The sectors of qualifications in VET are:

01	Geology, Mining and Metallurgy
02	Civil Engineering and Geodesy
03	Graphic Industry
04	Economy, Law and Trade
05	Electrical Engineering
06	Healthcare and Social Protection
07	Agriculture, Fishing and Veterinary Medicine
08	Personal Services
09	Mechanical Engineering
10	Traffic, Transport and Storage
11	Textile, Leather and Similar Products
12	Food Service Industry and Tourism
13	Chemistry and Technology
14	Forestry and Wood Processing
15	Sport and Recreation
16	Arts.

For higher education qualifications, the international Frascati classification applies.

Register of qualifications

According to the NQF Law, the qualifications are registered in a national database of qualifications (Register). The Register consists of four sub-registers:

• 
  Sub-register of general education qualifications;
  

• 
  Sub-register of qualifications acquired through VET;
  
• 
  Sub-register of higher education qualifications;
  
• 
  Sub-register of qualifications acquired through non-formal education.
  

The Sub-register of qualifications acquired through VET up to level VB is run by the VET Centre. The Sub-register of qualifications acquired through non-formal education is run by the Centre for Adult Education. The Sub-register of general education qualifications and the Sub-register of higher education qualifications are run by the Ministry of Education and Science.