- 2015Implementation
- 2016Implementation
- 2017Implementation
- 2018Implementation
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Implementation
Background
In 2014, there was no systematic and standardised approach for validation in place, though elements of a national strategy are under development. Therefore a working group has been convened by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) on validation of non-formal and informal competences.
The recognition of foreign vocational qualifications has been regulated in the Vocational Qualifications Recognition Act (BQFG) since 2012, which is monitored with an annual report. The Act provides individuals with the right to have their foreign qualifications matched to a German qualification by an appropriate authority. Depending on the sector, assessment and recognition of foreign occupational qualifications is carried out by IHK Fosa or lead chambers (Leitkammern). Recognition bodies are supported by a range of information sources and channels including the portal Recognition in Germany, the network Integration through Qualification, the portal Make it in Germany, and the project Prototyping transfer (since 2019: NetQA).
Objectives
The objective of validation and recognition are:
- to promote the validation of non-formally and informally acquired skills for people without (recognised) vocational qualification and expand any necessary adaptation qualifications, thus increasing skills visibility and opportunities for applicants on the job market;
- ultimately, to set up a nationwide uniform validation system;
- to simplify and accelerate the recognition of foreign formal vocational qualifications.
Description
The ValiKom project aims to promote the validation of non-formally and informally acquired skills in Germany and was initiated by the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (DHKT) and the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), together with the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). ValiKom is considered a reference project for setting up a validation system in Germany. It addresses adults who acquired skills and competences through work but lack a formal qualification, including those who wish to access further training. The approach refers to the prevailing training regulations and occupational profiles and leads to certificates (Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung) expressing the extent to which the skills demonstrated are equivalent to those gained under the Vocational Training Act. The participating chambers of industry, commerce and trade started trials in April 2017. Interim results were presented to the broad public at a conference in Berlin in December 2017. The final results of the Valikom project were published in a report that described the process, admission criteria, instruments, certificate of validation and recommendations at the end of 2018. The follow-up project, ValiKom Transfer (2018-21), intends to extend the validation procedure developed to 30 chambers throughout Germany (11 chambers of crafts, 17 chambers of industry and commerce and two chambers of agriculture). Procedures to...
The ValiKom project aims to promote the validation of non-formally and informally acquired skills in Germany and was initiated by the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (DHKT) and the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), together with the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). ValiKom is considered a reference project for setting up a validation system in Germany. It addresses adults who acquired skills and competences through work but lack a formal qualification, including those who wish to access further training. The approach refers to the prevailing training regulations and occupational profiles and leads to certificates (Gleichwertigkeitsfeststellung) expressing the extent to which the skills demonstrated are equivalent to those gained under the Vocational Training Act. The participating chambers of industry, commerce and trade started trials in April 2017. Interim results were presented to the broad public at a conference in Berlin in December 2017. The final results of the Valikom project were published in a report that described the process, admission criteria, instruments, certificate of validation and recommendations at the end of 2018. The follow-up project, ValiKom Transfer (2018-21), intends to extend the validation procedure developed to 30 chambers throughout Germany (11 chambers of crafts, 17 chambers of industry and commerce and two chambers of agriculture). Procedures to credit non-formal and informal learning were developed and tested in the past in the Transitions from VET to higher education initiative (Übergänge von der beruflichen in die hochschulische Bildung - ANKOM), which led to the legislation for validation of non-formal and informal learning in VET currently in effect.
In 2017, the Vocational Qualifications Recognition Act (BQFG) was monitored and documented and the June 2017 report evaluated its first 5 years. Also, since 2017, the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) and the national organisations of German chambers (DIHK and ZDH) have been carrying out the Enterprise professional recognition communication campaign (Unternehmen Berufsanerkennung), on the advantages of recognising foreign qualifications. A travelling exhibition provides nationwide companies with information. A We for recognition prize was awarded for the first time in 2017 by the BMBF, DIHK and ZDH, honouring exemplary corporate practice and good ideas in the field of recognition of foreign qualifications in companies. The language options of the portal Recognition in Germany were expanded to French and Russian, in addition to the previous nine languages, including Arabic.
Valikom
In 2019, the project ValiKom Transfer (2018-21), continued its implementation, extending the validation procedure to 30 chambers throughout Germany: 11 chambers of crafts, 17 chambers of industry and commerce and 2 chambers of agriculture.
Vocational Qualifications Recognition Act (BQFG)
In 2019, there was a major innovation with regard to data collection: for the first time, the report presented the data from the Federal Government, the Federal States and the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) together.
Recognition of professional qualifications by way of qualification analysis
On 1 January 2019, the Network Qualification analysis project (NetQA, Netzwerk Qualificiatonsanalyse) was launched as a joint project with several partners from the IHK and HWK sectors. NetQA aims to support the industry, trade and crafts chambers in the recognition process in establishing a regional expertise and network structure for qualification analyses (QA). The project promotes the networking of the chambers in all matters relating to QA, from the initial consultation with those seeking recognition to the decision on the equivalence of the professional qualification. By offering appropriate exchange and support services, the project aims to ensure by 2022 that QAs are conducted in an efficient and quality-assured manner nationwide.
NetQA builds on previous projects. The QA instrument was developed in the Prototyping project (2011-14) coordinated by the West German Association of Chambers of Skilled Crafts (WHKT) and scientifically accompanied by the Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training in the Skilled Crafts at the University of Cologne (FBH) and established in the recognition procedure from 2015 to 2018 in the Prototyping transfer project coordinated by BIBB.
Valikom-transfer
In January 2020, a new video on Valikom transfer was produced by WHKT, explaining the validation procedure to potential beneficiaries.
The annual report on the Recognition Act 2019 was published in February 2020. The fifth report of the BMBF provides important information on current developments in the field of professional recognition, both at policy level and in practice.
The measure 'Establishment of competence centres for the implementation of validation procedures for dual occupations' (ValiKom-Transfer; budget: ca. 10 million EUR) aims to expand and broadly transfer the standardised procedure for recording, reviewing, assessing and certifying informally and non-formally acquired vocational competences developed and tested in ValiKom for selected occupations for people without vocational qualifications and for qualified career changers.
By the end of November 2020, 702 validation procedures had been carried out by the 30 chambers participating in Valikom transfer.
Vocational Qualifications Recognition Act (BQFG)
On 26 August 2020, the Federal Statistical Office announced the new figures for official statistics on recognition procedures in 2019 (§17 BQFG). The recognition monitoring team in BIBB published an initial overview with results on occupations under federal law.
Recognition of professional qualifications by way of qualification analysis
In 2020, the network on skills analysis NetQA published a flyer on skills analysis in 15 languages as well as an article on a best practice in skills analysis, with experts supporting each other across Federal State borders.
The new application procedure for funding, from the skills analyses special fund, started in July 2020. Those involved in a recognition procedure for a dual training occupation or master craftsperson qualification, and who are seeking recognition via a skills analysis, may apply, under certain circumstances, to the relevant competent authority for funding from the skills analyses special fund. The IHK Foreign Skills Approval (IHK FOSA), the national competence centre of the German chambers of industry and commerce for the evaluation and recognition of foreign vocational qualifications, now also accepts funding notices, in addition to the WHKT. The funding notices are forwarded to BIBB.
In 2021, a summary of the results of the accompanying scientific research in the ValiKom Transfer project was published. It provides a comprehensive insight into the information collected on the individual procedural steps of the validation, as well as the knowledge gained about the participants in the validation procedure. Based on this, an assessment of the benefits of the validation from the perspective of the participants and the company has been provided.
The validation process under the ValiKom Transfer project is open to all adults, nationals and migrants, over the age of 25 who have relevant work experience. It provides the possibility of having competences acquired outside formal education validated in the course of an external assessment by the competent bodies, i.e. the chambers. Missing competences can be acquired in a targeted manner to finally obtain full equivalence referenced through the issuing of a validation certificate.
As part of the NetQA project, the networking of the participating chambers in all matters relating to the recognition of foreign qualifications on the basis of qualification analysis (QA) was continued in 2021. The project published a brochure in April 2021 with answers to the most common questions, e.g. on the QA procedure or on financial support.
Validation of non-formally acquired skills
The follow-up project ValiKom Transfer was extended until October 2024: further chamber locations are being set up at which validation procedures are to be carried out. In addition to 13 chambers of skilled trades (including 2 new chambers) and 17 chambers of industry and commerce, 2 chambers of agriculture are also involved in the project. Thus, a nationwide offer is established so that people who are interested in the validation of their professional competences in dual professions can find a chamber as a responsible validation centre within a reasonable distance. The aim is to prepare and offer validation procedures for a total of 40 occupations in industry, trade, crafts and agriculture.
In the form of a pilot project, closer cooperation between employment agencies, job centres and ValiKom project chambers is being tested at six selected locations since April 2022. The aim of the project is to gather findings on how a targeted cooperation between chambers and employment agencies or job centres can be established in order to increase the labour market opportunities of unemployed people and enable more targeted further development. The pilot project is being accompanied scientifically.
Information events to increase the awareness of ValiKom Transfer were carried out. For example, on 4 May 2022, the Stuttgart Region Chamber of Skilled Crafts (HWK) and the Stuttgart Region Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) jointly held an online multiplier event on the topic of Making professional skills visible - with the ValiKom transfer certificate. To increase visibility, three short films accompany protagonists on their way through the validation process. The three series on the occupations of warehouse logistics specialist, electronics technician and gardener and landscaper are available on Youtube.
Recognition of foreign formal qualifications
BIBB is currently (02/2023) conducting a survey amongst skilled workers with foreign professional qualifications to collect experiences with recognition.
BIBB published in December 2022 an updated Discussion Paper on How long does the recognition of foreign vocational qualifications take? Analyses of the duration of procedures based on official statistics for the years 2017 to 2021; results of the BIBB recognition monitoring. This discussion paper also points out the challenges surrounding the goal of acceleration as well as possible levers.
On 30 November 2022, the Federal Government adopted key points for reforming the immigration of skilled workers from third countries. One aim is to simplify and accelerate the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.
BIBB published in June 2022 a Discussion Paper on Recognition of Ukrainian vocational qualifications - Exploiting potential, improving processes: Results of BIBB's Recognition Monitoring.
In 2022, the project NetQA continued to promote the networking of the chambers in all questions concerning qualification analysis (QA) - from the first counselling interview with those seeking recognition to the decision on the equivalence of the professional qualification. Through appropriate exchange and support services, the aim is to achieve a quality-assured and efficient process of QAs nationwide by 2023. A flyer with information on qualification analyses was published in 15 languages.
Bodies responsible
- Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
- Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)
- Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK)
- Central Office for Further Education in Skilled Crafts (ZWH e.V.)
- German Confederation of Chambers of Skilled Crafts (DHKT)
- West German Association of Chambers of Skilled Crafts (WHKT)
- IHK Foreign Skills Approval (IHK FOSA)
Target groups
Learners
- Adult learners
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.
This thematic sub-category refers to validation mechanisms allowing individuals to accumulate, transfer, and recognise learning outcomes acquired non-formally and informally, including on-the-job learning, or in another formal system. In case they are not automatically recognised, a learner can have these learning outcomes validated and recognised through a particular process with a view to obtaining a partial or full qualification. This thematic sub-category covers such provisions and mechanisms.
Supporting lifelong learning culture and increasing participation
Lifelong learning refers to all learning (formal, non-formal or informal) taking place at all stages in life and resulting in an improvement or update in knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes or in participation in society from a personal, civic, cultural, social or employment-related perspective (Erasmus+, Glossary of terms, https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-d/glossary-common-terms). A systemic approach to CVET is crucial to ensure adaptability to evolving demands.
This broad thematic category looks at ways of creating opportunities and ensuring access to re-skilling and upskilling pathways, allowing individuals to progress smoothly in their learning throughout their lives with better permeability between general and vocational education and training, and better integration and compatibility between initial and continuing VET and with higher education. Individuals should be supported in acquiring and updating their skills and competences and navigating easily through education and training systems. Strategies and campaigns that promote VET and LLL as an attractive and high-quality pathway, providing quality lifelong guidance and tailored support to design learning and career paths, and various incentives (financial and non-financial) to attract and support participation in VET and LLL fall into this thematic category as well.
This thematic category also includes many initiatives on making VET inclusive and ensuring equal education and training opportunities for various groups of learners, regardless of their personal and economic background and place of residence – especially those at risk of disadvantage or exclusion, such as persons with disabilities, the low-skilled and low-qualified, minorities, migrants, refugees and others.
This thematic sub-category refers to initiatives that promote VET and lifelong learning implemented at any level and by any stakeholder. It also covers measures to ensure and broaden access to information about VET to various target groups, including targeted information and promotional campaigns (e.g. for parents, adult learners, vulnerable groups). Among others, it includes national skill competitions and fairs organised to attract learners to VET.
European priorities in VET
VET Recommendation
- Flexibility and progression opportunities at the core of VET
- VET as an attractive choice based on modern and digitalised provision of training and skills