ECVET aims and key documents

1. ECVETaimsandkeydocuments Darko Mali (cpi, Ljubljana) Bled, 17 september 2013

2. Eu policy context • Emphasis on collaboration between EU member states, as a basis for mobility and LLL 2008: EQF Recommedations 2009: ECVET/EQAVET Recommedations ET 2020Youthon theMoveNew skillsforjobs

3. Europe 2020 strategy • IVET as an attractive learning option with high relevance to labour market needs and pathways to higher education; • Flexible systems based on the recognition of learning outcomes and supporting individual learning pathways; • Cross-border mobility as an integral part of VET practices; • Recognition of the mobility training experience has to be ensured through the use of ECVET; • Validation of non-formal and informal learning provides pathways for up-skilling and reintegration of people to the labour market. • The adoption of an outcome-based approach for vocational qualifications, as promoted by the EQF and ECVET, is key to achieving this; • By 2020, systematic use of EQF, ECVET and Europass aimed at transparency of qualifications and portability of learning outcomes

4. In 2020… • … learners will benefit from higher quality training. …They will complete some oftheir studies abroad or there will be foreign learners in their classes… • … vocational teachers will have more opportunities to cooperate with colleagues abroad. Their working environment as well as their teaching and learning methods will be different… • … training institutions will find it easier to cooperate internationally, thanks to European-wide approaches, such as the EQF and the ECVET, which make it easier for students to transfer their learning between organisations… • … businesses will also be involved in delivering training through providing practical placements for learners.

5. A coherent set ofrecommendations Quality assurance of VET providers and systems Mutual trust Transparency of VET qualifications Learning outcome approach Progressive access to VET qualifications Transfer and recognition Promoting LLL Transfer and recognition from NFIL to formal system Nonformalandinformallearning

6. ECVET: one ofthetools • The European credit system for vocational education and training (ECVET) is one of several European tools designed to make qualifications systems more easily understood and flexible throughout the European Union and so support more mobility for workers and learners

7. Theobjectivesof ECVET • Instrument formobilityandrecognition • Recognitionoflearners‘ achievements • Stimulatingexchangesandmutualtrust (supportingmobility) • Recognitionoflearningoutcomeswithoutextendinglearners‘ educationandtrainingpathways(facilitatinglifelonglearning)

8. ECVET process and instrument Hostprovider Sendingprovider LEARNING AGREEMENT Learningoutcomes are recognised as part oftheintendedqualification Learningoutcomes are assessed LEARNING UNIT Learning unit is implemented LEARNING UNIT Credits are validated Lerner‘s credit in individualtranscriptofrecord MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

9. Learningoutcomes • Increases consistency between the European tools (as they all follow this approach); • Linking the occupational and the educational standards used for the definition of qualifications and VET learning processes, and, at a macro level, education and the labour market; • Introducing a common language; • Clarifying the relationships between different forms and contexts of learning; • Call for dialogue on the relevance and quality of qualifications

10. Memorandum ofunderstanding • A MoU is an umbrella agreement • A MoU is an agreement between competent institutions which set framework for implement students‘ mobility and for credits transfer • In a MoU partners identify possible content for students‘ mobility (learning units) • A MoU establishes partnership‘s procedures for cooperation

11. Learningagreement • Operational framework for mobility exchanges • More detailed information about the qualifications concerned, the mobility exchange and the procedures and criteria for assessment, validation and recognition of LO • Assessment form and criteria as part of LA

12. Why to use ECVET in schools and in companies? • The preparatory phase of ECVET implementation has started in all European countries • What is the cost-benefit relationship of implementation? • ECVET can be implemented by linking ECVET to the needs of education and training • „ECVET is useful when we are thinking about the quality and quality development of our education!“

13. Theaddedvalueofusingecvet • Transparency and transferability • Recognition • Fostering mobility, lifelong learning and cooperation • Positive labor market effects • Improvement of quality of education • Increase the attractiveness of VET

14. Possibleobstacles • Great variety of VET systems: same/ defferent goals, different ways • Impact of VET varies in diferent educational systems • Functions and responsibilities of actors vary • Lacking commitment of national authorities • Lacking knowledge/ information of VET teachers and trainers • Lacking common terminology, templates, (assessment) standards

15. More informationandsupport • Information on VET systems and levels of education • Contact person in every country • Examples and experiences, good practice • Common language and tools • Support for establishing mobility networks

16. Useful links • http://www.ecvet-team.eu/ • http://www.ecvet-projects.eu • http://netecvet.com/ • http://www.your-ecvet.eu/ • Thankyoufoyourattention!