ECVET arrangements

Policy development
Practical measure/Initiative
Germany
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Timeline
  • 2016Implementation
  • 2017Implementation
  • 2018Implementation
  • 2019Implementation
  • 2020Implementation
  • 2021Implementation
  • 2022Implementation
  • 2023Discontinued
ID number
28137

Background

A brief overview of the context and rationale of the policy development, explaining why it is implemented or why it is important.

Different ECVET technical components (credit system, units of learning outcomes, credit/unit transfer) have been tested for IVET and CVET through EU projects.

Objectives

Goals and objectives of the policy development.

Improving the quality of learning abroad.

Description

What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.

Since 2016, in line with the national priority for improving the quality of learning abroad, tasks previously performed by the ECVET national contact point have been carried out by the Erasmus+ National Agency (NA at BIBB). Contact persons at the National Agency and a team of national ECVET experts are in place. Both the National Agency and ECVET experts focus on supporting VET institutions in the use of ECVET in Erasmus+ transnational mobility projects. Among other activities, training concepts for various target groups and a guide for self-evaluation on the use of ECVET in mobility projects have been developed.

2016
Implementation
2017
Implementation
2018
Implementation
2019
Implementation

In 2019 ECVET implementation ran regularly without further major amendments.

2020
Implementation

In January 2020, the National Agency Erasmus+ at BIBB published a new brochure on guidance and workshops offered by the six regional ECVET experts in Germany.

Learning outcomes in digital VET were presented at the International ECVET symposium on 3 December 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more learning outcomes are being imparted in the virtual space, the acquisition of which must now also be established digitally. The symposium presented examples of good practice from Austria and Germany and an opportunity to exchange ideas with the experts.

2021
Implementation

In 2021, the advisory services of the ECVET experts in the regions were continued.

2022
Implementation

In 2022, the advisory services of the VET experts in the regions were continued. Within the framework of partnerships with other EU and selected non-EU countries, questions of recognition of learning achievements are addressed.

2023
Discontinued

In 2023, against the background of the recommendation of the Council of the European Union of November 2020, the activities in the context of ECVET as an instrument have shifted to focus on learning outcomes orientation to promote mobility and quality in VET in Europe.

Bodies responsible

This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
  • Erasmus+ National Agency for VET (NA at BIBB)

Target groups

Those who are positively and directly affected by the measures of the policy development; those on the list are specifically defined in the EU VET policy documents. A policy development can be addressed to one or several target groups.

Learners

  • Learners in upper secondary, including apprentices

Entities providing VET

  • VET providers (all kinds)

Thematic categories

Thematic categories capture main aspects of the decision-making and operation of national VET and LLL systems. These broad areas represent key elements that all VET and LLL systems have to different extents and in different combinations, and which come into focus depending on the EU and national priorities. Thematic categories are further divided into thematic sub-categories. Based on their description, policy developments can be assigned to one or several thematic categories.

Transparency and portability of VET skills and qualifications

European principles and tools, such as EQF, ESCO, ECTS, Europass and ECVET, provide a strong basis for transparency and portability of national and sectoral qualifications across Europe, including the issuing of digital diplomas and certificates.

This thematic category looks at how individuals are supported in transferring, accumulating, and validating skills and competences acquired in formal, non-formal and informal settings – including learning on the job – and in having their learning recognised towards a qualification at any point of their lives. This is only possible if qualifications are transparent and comparable and are part of comprehensive national qualifications frameworks. Availability of qualifications smaller than full and acquirable in shorter periods of time is necessary; some countries have recently worked on developing partial qualifications, microcredentials, etc.

Using EU transparency tools (EQF, Europass, ESCO, ECTS, ECVET principles)

This thematic sub-category refers to the application of EU transparency tools that allow recognition of qualifications among EU Member States (EQF, Europass, ESCO, ECTS). Among others, it includes linking national VET platforms and databases to Europass in accordance with the Europass Decision and EQF Recommendation and the use of the ECVET principles and tools, such as memoranda of understanding or learning agreements applied in mobility actions. The sub-category also covers measures on recognition of foreign/third-country qualifications for specific target groups, e.g. migrants or highly skilled professionals.

Subsystem

Part of the vocational education and training and lifelong learning systems the policy development applies to.
IVET
CVET

Further reading

Sources for further reading where readers can find more information on policy developments: links to official documents, dedicated websites, project pages. Some sources may only be available in national languages.
ECVET - Recognition of learning outcomes (NA at BIBB)
Partnerships, Cooperations (NA at BIBB)
Learning outcome orientation

Country

Germany

Type of development

Policy developments are divided into three types: strategy/action plan; regulation/legislation; and practical measure/initiative.
Practical measure/Initiative
Cite as

Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). ECVET arrangements: Germany. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].

https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/el/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28137