- 2018Legislative process
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Implementation
- 2023Completed
Background
In the past, non-formal education programmes could be developed without a strict structure and freely entered in the register for such programmes. Content could simply be decided between the training provider and recipient, with approval by mutual agreement. Students who completed such programmes were issued a certificate of attendance prepared by the provider. Such non-formal learning was not regulated by the state, with the quality aspect of the programmes a contractual matter between the service provider and recipient. The only control on this was that, in the event that there was perceived to be continued poor-quality training, the recipient could refer the issue to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport for a decision on whether provision should be suspended. Other issues reported in such training included a lack of clear and comprehensive accounting of trainee flows and complexities in the recognition of acquired competences in the labour market. Ultimately, the student was most affected by these issues.
Objectives
- to ensure the quality of non-formal VET programmes and processes;
- to establish a reliable and effective mechanism for the recognition of competences acquired through non-formal VET;
- to create preconditions to provide the State with reliable knowledge about the scope of non-formal VET.
Description
Until 2018, only formal VET programmes were registered in the State register of studies, training programmes and qualifications (SRSTPQ). On 22 November 2018, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport issued a Description of the procedure for the preparation and registration of VET programmes and their modules. From then on, all VET programmes had to be registered, whether formal or non-formal, including CVET ones. Under this policy, formal VET schemes, prepared in accordance with the procedure established in the description and entered in the Register of studies, training programmes and qualifications, are intended for the implementation of IVET and CVET. Upon completion of such programmes, a qualification is awarded in whole or in part.
Non-formal VET programmes, prepared in accordance with the procedure established in the description and entered in the Register of studies, training programmes and qualifications, are intended for the implementation of non-formal VET. Upon completion of such programmes, one or more competences are acquired, which may be recognised as a qualification or part of one in accordance with the procedures established by legal acts. The description harmonised the structure for all non-formal VET programmes by stipulating that, in their implementation, one credit would be awarded for 18 academic hours of contact work, counselling and assessment of student learning achievements, and nine academic...
Until 2018, only formal VET programmes were registered in the State register of studies, training programmes and qualifications (SRSTPQ). On 22 November 2018, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport issued a Description of the procedure for the preparation and registration of VET programmes and their modules. From then on, all VET programmes had to be registered, whether formal or non-formal, including CVET ones. Under this policy, formal VET schemes, prepared in accordance with the procedure established in the description and entered in the Register of studies, training programmes and qualifications, are intended for the implementation of IVET and CVET. Upon completion of such programmes, a qualification is awarded in whole or in part.
Non-formal VET programmes, prepared in accordance with the procedure established in the description and entered in the Register of studies, training programmes and qualifications, are intended for the implementation of non-formal VET. Upon completion of such programmes, one or more competences are acquired, which may be recognised as a qualification or part of one in accordance with the procedures established by legal acts. The description harmonised the structure for all non-formal VET programmes by stipulating that, in their implementation, one credit would be awarded for 18 academic hours of contact work, counselling and assessment of student learning achievements, and nine academic hours for independent learning. The term contact hours refers to the teacher's real work with students in the classroom. It is used to calculate credits: in initial VET 1 credit is 26 hours of contact lessons, in continuing education 22 hours, for non-formal 18 hours. The description stated that in all cases, a non-formal VET programme comprises one or more modules providing one or more of the competences for a given qualification set out in the relevant qualification standard.
It also set out a list of requirements for registration on VET programmes (including a programme description in terms of its title, the related qualification and qualification level, ECVET credit points, and the number of hours of theoretical and practical training) and specified the procedure for preparation, updating, evaluation and entry in the register. The Qualifications and VET Development Centre (KPMPC) was to be involved in preparing the regulation along with experts, employers and trade unions.
The provisions of this description have become particularly significant with respect to the organisation of the work of the Lithuanian Employment Service.
In 2019, the Employment Service reorganised the entire funding process for training that it had previously applied and began to fund SRSTPQ-registered programmes exclusively.
In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport updated the list of SRSTPQ programmes, including new modular programmes being delivered in 2020/21. The Lithuanian Employment Service renewed the rules for the funding of training services; funds for the management and organisation of the educational process per learning credit have been increased.
In 2021, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport updated the list of SRSTPQ programmes, including new modular programmes and separate modules being delivered in 2021/22. All non-formal training programmes are publicly accessible. The list of non-formal vocational training programmes is published on Qualifications and VET Development Centre (KPMPC) website: 69 non-formal training programmes for various sectors include Production and processing, Engineering and engineering professions, Information and communication technologies, Arts, Services for individuals, Health and beauty, Security services, Business and administration, Hotel and catering services, and Farming.
In 2022, the list of non-formal training programmes was updated on the Qualifications and VET Development Centre (KPMPC) website. So far 90 non-formal training programmes are registered in different sectors, including architecture and construction, manufacturing and processing, engineering, arts, services to individuals, business administration, transport and agriculture.
The measure is operational and runs as a regular practice. From now on, all non-formal training programmes are registered in the State Register of Studies, Training Programmes, and Qualifications (SRSTPQ). Newly developed programmes are also included in accordance with the ,Description of the Procedure for the Preparation and Registration of VET Programmes and Their Modules, (2018)
Bodies responsible
- Ministry of Education, Science and Sport
- Qualifications and VET Development Centre (KPMPC)
- Lithuanian Employment Service
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 the development and implementation of qualifications that are smaller than full qualifications (alternative credentials) or are acquired in a shorter learning experience. It includes microcredentials, partial qualifications, units of learning outcomes (ECVET principle), digital badges, etc. These are owned by learners and can be combined or not to get a full qualification.
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.
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Registration of non-formal CVET programmes: Lithuania. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28336