ECVET The European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training: principles, application & outlook Monika Auzinger, 3s auzinger@3s.co.at on behalf of the ECVET Secretariat ECVET-Secretariat@icf-consult.com 27 Septemer 2019, Nicosia, Cyprus

Outline… ECVET key principles and aspects ECVET technical components & processes Why use ECVET? Latest developments & outlook Principles for supporting flexible VET pathways 2020 and beyond Related tools and frameworks How/where to learn more about it? Useful resources & contacts

ECVET key principles & aspects

What is ECVET? ECVET is the European Credit System for VET. Enhancing Quality Agreed Learning Outcomes and a Shared Understanding Added Value of Learning Abroad Recognising Learning geographical mobility Accumulating Learning Changing Pathways Formalising Learning Outcomes Supporting Progression lifelong learning ECVET is the European Credit System for VET. ECVET is a framework for the transfer, recognition and accumulation of acquired and assessed learning outcomes with a view to achieving a qualification.

The European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training a European instrument designed to support lifelong learning, the mobility of learners and the flexibility of learning pathways to achieve qualifications; developed by Member States in cooperation with the European Commission & adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in 2009; adoption and implementation of ECVET in the participating countries is voluntary.

Challenges addressed by ECVET getting recognition for learning outcomes already achieved design of qualifications and programmes: achieving more flexibility transparency of qualifications: making them more easily understood by learners and employers

ECVET – main elements Memorandum of Understanding Learning Agreement Personal Transcript

Some uses of ECVET Implementation of ECVET: - Full (all aspects of lifelong learning) - Partial (only for learning mobility) Credits: www.ecvet-toolkit.eu

ECVET principles applied: some examples from across Europe Examples from the ECVET community http://www.ecvet-secretariat.eu/en/ECVET-Case-Studies © Aline Rollin

Flexible vocational learning pathways: the Finnish VET Reform https://minedu.fi/en/reform-of-vocational-upper-secondary-education

The Qualifica Programme in Portugal The Qualifica Programme offers tailored training pathways for low qualified adults, based on a process to recognise their prior learning. This process is known in Portugal as RVCC, which means Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competences. The Qualifica Programme is combined with the RVCC process, tailored training opportunities are offered to ensure individuals achieve a higher level of qualification. The programme is implemented in dedicated Qualifica Centres where face-to-face guidance and support is provided. Case study: https://europe.icf.com/Projects/ECVET/The_Qualifica_Programme .pdf

ECVET principles applied: Estonia 2013: new Vocational Educational Institutions Act, which introduced which introduced flexible learning pathways and a credit system based on ECVET principles Modular (unit-based) VET curricula & outcome-based assessment EKAP: Estonian VET credit point, based on ECVET. 60 EKAP correspond to the learning outcomes achieved by an average student in one school year EKAP is used for the description, recognition, transfer, and accumulation of learning outcomes achieved in formal, non-formal and informal learning ECVET/EKAP Add: Modules describe units of learning outcomes that can be assessed, transferred and accumulated to achieving a qualification. Source: Kalle Toom

Latest ECVET developments & outlook

Principles for supporting flexible VET pathways A set of eight principles for supporting flexible vocational learning pathways in VET, drafted by a Working Group of the ECVET Users' Group in 2017 Are not defined in the ECVET Recommendation and do not replace the ECVET Recommendation Based on the practical implementation of the ECVET Recommendation Developed by the Working Group with the EQF Recommendation in mind

Principles for supporting flexible VET pathways 1: Qualifications should be composed of clearly defined groups of learning outcomes 2: Groups of learning outcomes within a qualification should be capable of independent assessment 3: The assessment of each group of learning outcomes should be properly documented 4: Provision of learning opportunities should be arranged to facilitate individuals to achieve groups of learning outcomes 5: Individuals should have the opportunity to have their learning outcomes validated, irrespective of how and where they have acquired them 6: Individuals should have the opportunity to accumulate their assessed groups of learning outcomes towards a qualification 7: Individuals should have the opportunity to transfer their groups of learning outcomes validated in one context to other contexts (such as programmes, qualifications, national/regional system or countries) 8: Processes for development, assessment, validation and recognition of sets of learning outcomes should be transparent and underpinned by quality assurance Available at http://www.ecvet-secretariat.eu/en/principles-supporting-flexible-vet-pathways

Outlook for ECVET At European level, the Commission is currently preparing the policy framework for the period after the year 2020 Policy-level discussions ongoing on how to best accommodate ECVET priorities in a future policy framework (supported by studies, high-level working groups) Basic priorities of ECVET will remain: making vocational pathways more flexible and transparent Revised Europass framework adopted in 2018 Next Erasmus programme for the period 2021-2027

Related tools and frameworks

Related tools and frameworks #1 ESCO European classification of Skills, Competences, Occupations and Qualifications There are many European tools and instruments that complement ECVET goals and ambitions in terms of facilitating learning/skills recognition. ECVET also complements: Recommendation on the Validation of Non-Formal and Informal Learning (2012) Recommendation on Upskilling Pathways (2016)

Related tools and frameworks #2 Riga Conclusions (2015) ‚New‘ Europass New Skills Agenda (2016) European Education Area by 2025 Erasmus programme for 2021-2027 New policy framework ET beyond 2020 (debate launched) www.cedefop.europa.eu/

How/where to learn more about it?

ECVET Secretariat www.ecvet-secretariat.eu Check out the ‚knowledge centre‘ for useful publications (guidance material) from various countries & projects as well as the new ‚case studies‘ section! www.ecvet-secretariat.eu Includes coverage on the 2019 ECVET Annual Forum ‚Using the ECVET principles to connect learning and working in tomorrow’s labour market’

ECVET Secretariat - activities Support to the European Commission and the ECVET Network: Support to the meetings of the ECVET governing bodies (ECVET User’s Group, ECVET Working Group, ECVET Network) Support mutual learning within the wider ECVET Community of Practice through different events: Peer Learning Activities and the Annual ECVET Forum Expert support and input to the drafting of various policy documents and reports (analytical papers, background documents, guidance notes, synthesis reports, etc.) Communication and dissemination of news about ECVET and learning outcomes from events through the ECVET Magazine and the ECVET Secretariat website.

How to learn more about it? European Commission https://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/eu-policy-in-the-field-of-vocational-education-and-training-vet_en Cedefop www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/events-and-projects/projects/ecvet-european-credit-system-vocational-education-and-training ECVET Secretariat www.ecvet-secretariat.eu ECVET-Secretariat@icf-consult.com Learning from others‘ experiences www.ecvet-toolkit.eu (mobility) www.ecvet-projects.eu (mobility + lifelong learning)

Thank you for your attention – any questions? Monika Auzinger auzinger@3s.co.at ECVET Secretariat ECVET-Secretariat@icf-consult.com http://www.ecvet-secretariat.eu