1. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training ECVET European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training Supporting system for nonformal and informal learning for low – skilled workers 15-18 May 2012 Pasian di Prato (UD), Italy

2. What is ECVET?  ECVET is a technical framework for the transfer, recognition and, where appropriate, accumulation of individuals’ learning outcomes with a view to achieving a qualification.  ECVET tools and methodology comprise the description of qualifications in terms of units of learning outcomes with associated points, a transfer and accumulation process and complementary documents such as learning agreements, transcripts of records and ECVET users’ guides. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 2

3. What is ECVET? ECVET is intended to facilitate the recognition of learning outcomes in accordance with national legislation, in the framework of mobility, for the purpose of achieving a qualification. It should be noted that ECVET does not imply any new entitlement for citizens to obtain the automatic recognition of either learning outcomes or points. Its application for a given qualification is in accordance with the legislation, rules and regulations applicable in the Member States and is based on the following principles and technical specifications: Unit of learning outcomes Transfer and Accumulation of learning outcomes Learning agreement and Personal transcript ECVET Points European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 3

4. What is ECVET? ECVET is:  Dedicated to individuals, in a borderless and lifelong learning perspective  Based on learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, competence) achieved in all learning contexts (Formal, Nonformal, Informal)- common principles for validation of non-formal and informal learning  Centred on qualifications and directive on recognition of qualifications  Coherent with the European Qualification Framework for Lifelong Learning  Single framework for transparency of qualifications and competences  Focused on all kinds of Mobility: Geographical; From one learning context to another; From one qualification system/framework to another  Different but comparable, compatible and complementary with ECTS used in the higher education sector European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 4

5. ECVET Terms Formal learning - learning that occurs in an organised and structured environment (e.g. in an education or training institution or on the job) and is explicitly designated as learning (in terms of objectives, time or resources). Formal learning is intentional from the learner’s point of view. It typically leads to validation and certification. Non-formal learning - learning that is not provided by an education or training institution and typically does not lead to certification. However, it is intentional on the part of the learner and has structured objectives, times and support. Informal learning - informal learning results from daily activities related to work, family life or leisure. It is not structured and usually does not lead to certification. In most cases, it is unintentional on the part of the learner. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 5

6. ECVET Terms Learning outcomes - statements of what a learner knows, understands and is able to do on completion of a learning process defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence. Recognition of learning outcomes- the process of attesting officially achieved learning outcomes through the awarding of units or qualifications. Unit of learning outcomes - component of a qualification, consisting of a coherent set of knowledge, skills and competence, which can be assessed and validated. Validation of learning outcomes - the process of confirming that certain assessed learning outcomes achieved by a learner correspond to specific outcomes which may be required for a unit or a qualification. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 6

7. ECVET Terms Credit for learning outcomes - set of learning outcomes of an individual which have been assessed and which can be accumulated towards a qualification or transferred to other learning programmes or qualifications. Assessment of learning outcomes - methods and processes used to establish the extent to which a learner has attained particular knowledge, skills and competence. Qualification - formal outcome of an assessment and validation process which is obtained when a competent institution determines that an individual has achieved learning outcomes to a given standard. ECVET points - numerical representation of the overall weight of learning outcomes in a qualification and of the relative weight of units in relation to the qualification. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 7

8. ECVET Terms Knowledge - the outcome of the assimilation of information through learning. Knowledge is the body of facts, principles, theories and practices that are related to a field of work or study. Skills - the ability to apply knowledge and use know-how to complete tasks and solve problems. Competence - the proven ability to use knowledge, skills and personal, social and/or methodological abilities in work or study situations and in professional and personal development. Credit for learning outcomes - set of learning outcomes of an individual which have been assessed and which can be accumulated towards a qualification or transferred to other learning programmes or qualifications. Assessment of learning outcomes - methods and processes used to establish the extent to which a learner has attained particular knowledge, skills and competence. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 8

9. Learning context B Learning context A Individual Transcript of record Validation of Learning Outcomes Recognition of Learning Outcomes Accumulation of Learning Outcomes Assessment of Learning Outcomes Credit for Learning Outcomes European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 9 Credit transfer of learning outcomes Credit for learning outcomes means a set of learning outcomes of an individual which have been assessed and which can be accumulated towards a qualification or transferred to other learning programmes or qualifications;

10. Qualification context A The gained learning outcomes are accumulated and are now an integrated part of person’s qualification Qualification context A The gained learning outcomes are accumulated and are now an integrated part of person’s qualification Qualification context (A) European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 10 Transfer of the learning outcomes

11. Unit of learning outcomes means a component of a qualification, consisting of a coherent set of knowledge, skills and competence, that can be assessed and validate Unit of the learning outcomes Unit of the learning outcomes Knowledge Skills Competences 11 What is a unit of the learning outcomes? European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training

12. Qualification Unit of the learning outcomes Unit of the learning outcomes Unit of the learning outcomes They are defined by each Member State competent bodies (number, size, the rules, principles) Main component of the ECVET system – Units of learning outcomes European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 12 Qualification consists of many units of learning outcomes, which can be assessed and validated.

13. Unit of learning outcomes The units that make up a qualification should be:  described in legible and understandable terms by referring to the knowledge, skills and competences contained in them,  constructed and organised in a coherent way with regard to the overall qualification,  constructed in a way that enables discrete assessment and validation of learning outcomes contained in the unit,  a unit may be specific to a single qualification or common to several qualifications. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 13

14. Unit of learning outcomes  A learner can achieve a qualification by accumulating the required units, achieved in different countries and different contexts (formal and, where appropriate, non-formal and informal), while respecting national legislation relating to the accumulation of units and the recognition of learning outcomes.  The rules and procedures for defining characteristics of units of learning outcomes and for combining and accumulating units for a given qualification are defined by competent institutions and partners involved in the training process according to the national or regional rules. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 14

15. Unit of learning outcomes The specifications for a unit should include:  the generic title of the unit,  the generic title of the qualification (or qualifications) to which the unit relates, where applicable,  the reference of the qualification according to the EQF level and, where appropriate, the national qualifications framework (NQF) level, with the ECVET credit points associated with the qualification,  the learning outcomes contained in the unit,  the ECVET points associated with the unit,  the validity in time of the unit, where relevant. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 15

16.  ECVET points provide complementary information about qualifications and units in numerical form.  ECVET points have no value independent of the acquired learning outcomes for the particular qualification to which they refer and they reflect the achievement and accumulation of units.  To enable a common approach for the use of ECVET points, a convention is used according to which 60 points are allocated to the learning outcomes expected to be achieved in a year of formal full time VET. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 16 Allocation of ECVET points - EU Joint Convention

17. Allocation of ECVET points to units of learning outcomes Qualification Unit of the learning outcomes Unit of the learning outcomes Unit of the learning outcomes 60 points 17 10 points 30 points 20 points  In ECVET the allocation of points usually has two phases: ECVET points are allocated first to a qualification as a whole and then to its units.  ECVET points are then allocated to each unit according to their relative weight within the qualification.  The successful achievement of a qualification or of a unit triggers the award of the associated ECVET points, independently of the actual time required to achieve them. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training

18. Transfer and Accumulation of learning outcomes, ECVET partnerships  In ECVET, units of learning outcomes achieved in one setting are assessed and then, after successful assessment, transferred to another setting. In this second context, they are validated and recognised by the competent institution as part of the requirements for the qualification that the person is aiming to achieve.  Units of learning outcomes can then be accumulated towards this qualification, in accordance with national or regional rules.  Procedures and guidelines for the assessment, validation, accumulation and recognition of units of learning outcomes are designed by the relevant competent institutions and partners involved in the training process.  Credit transfer based on ECVET and applied to learning outcomes achieved in formal learning contexts should be facilitated by establishing partnerships and networks involving competent institutions, each of which is empowered, in their own setting, to award qualifications or units or to give credit for achieved learning outcomes for transfer and validation. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 18

19. Transfer and Accumulation of learning outcomes, ECVET partnerships For applying ECVET to learning outcomes achieved in a non-formal and informal learning context or outside the framework of an MoU, the competent institution which is empowered to award qualifications or units or to give credit should establish procedures and mechanisms for the identification, validation and recognition of these learning outcomes through the award of the corresponding units and the associated ECVET points. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 19

20. Learning agreement and personal transcript For applying credit transfer involving two partners and a specific mobile learner, a learning agreement is concluded by the two competent institutions involved in the training and validation process and the learner, in the framework of an MoU. It should:  distinguish between competent ‘home’ and ‘hosting’ institutions. The ‘home’ institution is the institution which will validate and recognise learning outcomes achieved by the learner. The ‘hosting’ institution is the one that delivers training for the learning outcomes concerned and assesses the achieved learning outcomes;  specify the particular conditions for a period of mobility, such as the identity of the learner, the duration of the mobility period, learning outcomes expected to be achieved and the associated ECVET points European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 20

21. Examples of extraction of qualifications and units of learning outcomes in the SkillsUp Project European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 21

22. Process Industry Learning Unit Project European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 22 PILE UP is a Leonardo da Vinci – Transfer of Innovation project realised between 01.11.2011 – 31.10.2013 Core partners (Steering Group): ROC West-Brabant (project coordinator)NL Kenteq Centre of Expertise NL SBG für Umweltschutz und ChemieberufeDE Belgian Maintenance Association (BEMAS)BE Instytut Technologii Eksploatacji – PIB PL National Agency for VET (NAVET)BG Wear ManagementCH

23. Process Industry Learning Unit Project European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 23 Background of the PILE UP project:  Lack of skilled workers in the Process Industry in Europe (Allround Operators & Maintenance Technicians) on EQF level 3 and 4 in accordance to ECVET rules.  Necessity to upgrade skilled workers by validation of their skills and flexible learning possibilities.  Need to understand the levels of qualifications (knowledge, skills, competences) of foreign workers.

24. Process Industry Learning Unit Project European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 24 Goal of the PILE UP project: To implement units of learning outcomes in VET to upgrade the skills of workers, by:  transferring a method for the development of learning units (from Germany);  innovating existing profiles for Process Operator and Maintenance Operator;  testing these learning units/profiles in VET and sector (enough units/amount of time necessary to assess unit/possible accumulation).  testing to what extent ECVET provides added value for the validation of non-formal and informal learning and the re- training of individuals to reach a higher level of qualification and formulate recommendations for the implementation of ECVET.

25. Process Industry Learning Unit Project European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training 25 The main aim of the project: To develop and implement units of learning outcomes, based on ECVET rules, which can be used for:  The recognition and validation of competences of foreign workers.  The accumulation of competences to reach a higher level of qualification (Piling up). The project also aims at an increase in knowledge and experience within the partnership (and by means of dissemination beyond the partnership) of competence profiles, units of learning outcomes, assessments based on common profiles and validating competences acquired in a formal, non-formal and informal way. The consortium wants to gain experience in using the ECVET theory and methodology to test the added value of the ECVET approach.

26. European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training ECVET European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training Thank you for your attention. Katarzyna Sławińska katarzyna.slawinska@itee.radom.pl Zbigniew Kramek zbigniew.kramek@itee.radom.pl