Learning and coordination: Explaining the adoption of the technical and vocational qualifications framework in Chile

Abstract

In recent decades, the growing interest of countries in improving technical and vocational education has led to the adoption of qualification frameworks as instruments aimed at enhancing training systems. In 2018, Chile became the first country in Latin America to adopt a Qualifications Framework for Technical and Vocational Education, which is particularly noteworthy given the incipient connection between the State, training institutes and the labor market. The purpose of this research was to understand the causes that explain the cooperation between the actors involved in technical and vocational education in the country. Through a qualitative case study design, the process that led to the adoption of the Technical and Vocational Qualifications Framework in Chile was analyzed. The findings of this study show that previous qualifications framework initiatives developed by private actors (QF Minero, QF Inacapino, among others) contributed to the generation of trust and learning, which, along with decisive state involvement, facilitated cooperation between actors and the effective adoption of a Technical and Vocational Qualifications Framework.