CEMETS iLab Indiana Request for Proposals

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Independent “Consistency Check” Entity for Indiana Qualifications Framework

CEMETS iLab Indiana has launched a Request for Proposals process to solicit proposals from tax-exempt organizations interested in serving as the independent, third-party “consistency check” for the Indiana Qualifications Framework (IQF). As part of a two-year pilot of the IQF implementation process for the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway (INCAP), the chosen organization will validate the competencies and learning levels assigned by the Industry Talent Associations to the degrees and credentials they plan to award for their INCAP occupations.

The proposed IQF, which aligns with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), provides an eight-level grid that defines the knowledge, skills, and competencies required at each level. It is designed to align INCAP and academic degree programs to ensure agreement between higher education and employers. As a result, students will be able to transition more easily between the INCAP and college pathways, creating greater flexibility and opportunity.

The full IQF and qualification assignment process – including a more detailed description of the consistency check process – can be found هنا. However, at a high level, the consistency check process consists of the following steps:

Conduct detailed industry expert reviews of a proposed occupation’s competency set as compared to the IQF to develop an independent qualification level. Additionally, the review will include a comparison of qualifications across different occupations at the same level to ensure consistency in levels horizontally across industries.
Hold meetings with the awarding body to identify differences, gather further information about the occupation, and come to a consensus about the recommend IQF level for each occupation.
Make a recommendation to approve or deny the recommended level for a degree or credential to the Indiana Department of Education, which will – in consultation with the INCAP Governing Body – make a final decision.

Grant funding from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation for up to $500,000 over a two-year period is available for this pilot effort.