At a consultation meeting with social partners organised by the Greek national organisation for the certification of qualifications and vocational guidance (EOPPEP), Cedefop’s Head of Area Enhanced Cooperation in VET and lifelong learning Mara Brugia told participants that the Centre has worked with the Greek Education Ministry since 2008 to develop the Hellenic qualifications framework (HQF) and has contributed decisively to the progress achieved.
‘We are looking forward to the continuation of this cooperation and its expansion to other European lifelong learning tools and to identifying skills needs,’ added Ms Brugia.
According to a recent Cedefop publication, at the end of 2013, 22 European Union Member States had referenced their national qualifications levels to the European qualifications framework (EQF), while the rest, Greece included, are expected to do so in the next two years. At the end of this process, qualifications levels will be included in the national certificates and diplomas, as is already the case in France, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania and Portugal.
At the meeting, which was held at the Cedefop premises, Ms Brugia noted that ‘in order for countries and citizens to benefit from the national qualification frameworks (NQFs), policy-makers need to focus on visibility, integration and engagement with the labour market’.
She argued that ‘opening up frameworks to external qualifications, including private, helps the dialogue between employment and education, and social partners should be involved in every decision level relating to NQFs’.
‘Cedefop plays a very important role in these developments and places particular emphasis in its cooperation with the Greek authorities. We have a consistently good relationship and Cedefop provides technical support to the degree its remit and resources allow,’ concluded Ms Brugia.