Under the new framework, awards will be available at 10 levels.
These will include a mixture of new, purpose-built qualifications as well as familiar awards.
Many kinds of learning that currently go unrecognised will have formal awards for the first time - such as adult learning, professional development and workplace-based courses.
New certificates at levels one and two will be awarded for the most basic knowledge. Other new certificates will be available for further education and training at levels three, four, five and six. The Junior Cert will be included at level three and the Leaving Cert at levels four and five.
HETAC, Dublin Institute of Technology and the seven universities will grant awards at the higher levels. These will include the new Higher Certificate at level six and the ordinary bachelors degree at level seven. The honours bachelors degree, the masters degree and the doctoral degree are at levels eight, nine and 10 respectively.