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.
Positive orientation towards VET (nationally called qualification education) so that it becomes as often as possible a first choice.
The upgrading of technical professions and the sectors that lead to them.
The fight against premature dropping out of school which leaves too many young people without secondary school leaving certification and feeds the hard core of unemployment.
Mobility between the various training providers in Belgium and 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.
The certification by learning-outcomes units (CPU) divides upper-secondary VET tracks into different CPU. Learners receive the qualification certificate when all the learning-outcomes units are validated. Those who fail get a second chance in a complementary year with a personalised support from teachers.
The Minister of Education decides which training will be implemented in CPU; hence this certification approach is being gradually implemented.
In 2017, certification by learning-outcomes...
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.
in a concerted manner, ensure the security of the training pathways of our target groups;
make Bruxelles Formation the benchmark public service for vocational training and skills validation in Brussels;
fully put Brussels Formation at the service of its users (trainees and partners);
make vocational training and skills validation more visible and readable for education stakeholders, employers and the business world;
strengthen the coherence of Brussels vocational...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Following the amendment of the training decree in 2016, Bruxelles Formation (the French-speaking public vocational training provider in Brussels) is in charge of regulating French-speaking training and validation in the Brussels Region. Operational objectives and actions were set out in the Management plan 2017-22 approved in December 2017. On 26 January 2018, the management board of Bruxelles Formation agreed on the extension of the body's mission, in which also social partners and the...
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.
Bruxelles Formation (Brussels Institute for Vocational Training)
To combat skill shortage in the respective sectors.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In February 2017, the French Community Parliament adopted and the Ministry of the French Community approved the Decree on dual learning programmes in adult education, leading to certificates of value equal to that of upper secondary school-based VET programmes (nationally referred to as full-time programmes).
The programmes are specifically targeted to sectors experiencing skills shortages. The qualification certificate issued for a dual learning programme can be referenced to the national...
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.
The aim of validation is to help individuals to achieve personal development, to contribute to a higher level of employment, to improve access to formal education systems and to stimulate lifelong learning. Developments at policy level aim at an integrated approach to validation, bringing existing separate validation measures together in a single comprehensive strategy.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
There is increased cooperation between different validation providers (inside as well as outside education) and the willingness to create a single framework linking validation processes to the Flemish qualifications framework (FQF). In July 2015, the concept for an integrated framework for validation in Flanders was approved by the Flemish government; a task force was set up to develop the integrated policy framework and to draft a decree on validation. A cost-benefit analysis has been...
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.
Flemish Department of Education and Training
Flemish Department of Work and Social Economy
Agency for Higher Education, Adult Education, Qualifications and Study Allowances (AHOVOKS)
The National qualifications frameworks (NQFs) facilitate the understanding and comparison of qualifications. The NQF classifies qualifications by level, based on learning outcomes, which the holder of a specific diploma or certificate is expected to know, to understand and to be able to do. This approach facilitates the moving between education and training institutions and sectors.
The FQF includes the:
professional qualifications (beroepskwalificaties), which are the basis for formal...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In 2016 arrangements were made to facilitate the update of the content of the professional qualifications and to provide partial qualifications. Professional qualifications have been levelled individually (as opposed to being placed as a block) in a process involving the main social partners. Since 2017 it is possible to update the content of the professional qualifications. The procedures take into account the nature of the changes: technical or substantive changes, changes with or without...
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.
To prescribe the terms for certifying professional qualifications outside formal education.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
On the 26 April 2019, the Flemish Government approved a new Decree on common principles about the quality assurance of training (and validation) pathways outside the formal education system, leading to professional qualification, formally linked to the Flemish qualifications framework (Vlaamse kwalificatiestructuur). The decree prescribes the terms for certifying professional qualifications by regulating the conditions for quality control at the level of the provider and that of the training...
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.
Flemish Department of Work and Social Economy
Agency for Higher Education, Adult Education, Qualifications and Study Allowances (AHOVOKS)
The aim of this project is to support citizens in shaping their career paths by offering opportunities for validating and recognising their vocational competences.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In 2015, a strategy for the introduction of a validation system was developed and a public launch event on the recognition of competences took place in October 2016. Sixty key actors from the German-speaking Community were invited to participate in a debate. Subsequently, a steering group was established with the participation of stakeholders from formal and non-formal education, as well as employment and social partners. Between February and November 2017, the steering group developed a...
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.
Ministry of German-Speaking Community
Institute for vocational and educational training in small and medium-sized companies (IAWM)
This agreement was concluded to facilitate the mobility of graduates from apprenticeships and to counteract future possible skill shortages. This measure is also expected to attract more learners and might be extended to other professions.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In October 2016, an agreement was signed between the authorities from the German-speaking Community (IAWM and the Ministry) and German authorities. This agreement offers cabinetmaking apprentices the opportunity to acquire a certificate of apprenticeship from both countries, one from Belgium and one from Germany. In order to receive the certificate from both countries, the apprentice needs first to complete the apprenticeship in one country and then pass an additional exam in the other. This...
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.
acceptance: the Austrian DigComp competence framework should become and remain a work base for the development and improvement of the digital competences of all citizens which is as widely accepted, as broadly understood and as coherently interpreted as possible;
updating: the Austrian DigComp competence framework and the application scenarios derived from it are to be updated continuously and, if necessary, expanded by the task force to keep pace with the dynamics of digitalisation and its...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
In 2019, the Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) published the Digital competence model for Austria (DigComp 2.2 AT). The tool is intended for supporting the assessment and description of personal digital competences and the identification of possibilities for further development. It is based on the DigComp reference framework of the European Commission.
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.
Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) (until 2022)
Increase of transparency in the acquisition of engineering (Ingenieur) qualifications.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
A new Engineering Act (IngG 2017) came into force on 1 May 2017. Graduates of VET colleges of engineering (HTL) or of VET colleges in the agricultural and forestry/environmental sector (HBLA) who have a minimum of 3 years relevant professional experience, can now apply for certification to obtain the formal engineer qualification (Ingenieur, NQF/EQF level 6).
Beside the engineer qualification discussed above, application for certification is also allowed for other qualifications comparable in...
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.
Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) (until 2022)
The objective of the National strategy on validation of non-formal and informal learning is to:
increase the value of competences acquired in non-formal and informal learning contexts;
make validation arrangements more accessible by providing low-threshold, central information and advisory services;
improve opportunities for education and work (e.g. by making it easier for adults to obtain qualifications as second chance education);
improve permeability at the central interfaces...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
Following a national consultation process, the national strategy for validating non-formal and informal learning was finalised and adopted in November 2017. The national strategy is expected to serve as the starting point for defining organisational structures, a catalogue of quality criteria (issued in May 2018) and a detailed implementation plan. The validation strategy provides an overview of existing validation arrangements, serves as a basis for developing new initiatives, assuring...
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.
Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF)
The following objectives have been pursued with the development and implementation of an NQF:
implementing the recommendation of the EU Parliament and Council;
improving the transparency and understanding of qualifications acquired in Austria;
facilitating transnational mobility;
promoting more permeability between educational programmes/contexts/levels at national level;
increasing the visibility and appreciation of non-formal qualifications;
strengthening the parity of esteem between...
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The NQF development and implementation process is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF). It is supported by the NQF Steering Group, which includes representatives from all ministries, the higher education area, the social partners, continuing education and training as well as the provinces. Quality assurance steps to improve procedures and processes have been taken continously. These are coordinated by the National Coordination Point (NCP), and all...
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.
NQF steering group
National coordination point (NKS)
Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF)
The objective of the federal Act on the simplification of procedures to recognise and assess foreign educational and professional qualifications is to:
simplify the procedures for the recognition of foreign educational or professional qualifications obtained in a third country;
introduce procedural provisions for the assessment of foreign educational and professional qualifications;
achieve more transparency in recognition processes.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The federal Act on the simplification of procedures to recognise and assess foreign educational and professional qualifications came into force in July 2016. It was introduced by the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, which was the main responsible body for integration issues until 2020 when the integration agenda was transferred to the Federal Chancellery. A federal recognition portal was established by the Integration Fund (ÖIF), along with information centres,...
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.
Federal Chancellery of Austria
Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs (until 2020)
Increasing the transparency and recognition of partial qualifications on the labour market and in training companies, considering especially the needs of disadvantaged learners (young people who cannot find a regular apprenticeship place or have disabilities or special educational needs) for such proof.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The 2015 amendment to the Vocational Training Act provided for standardised forms of partial qualifications. As a consequence, while individualised training is still possible, the Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs can provide guidelines for standardised partial qualifications to ensure they are recognised on the labour market and also to make it easier for learners to continue training in the corresponding apprenticeship trade.
In the province of Upper Austria, training for the first...
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.
Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) (until 2022)
The objective of the transparency of master craftsperson qualifications is to:
ensure compatibility with both the national qualifications framework (NQF) and the trade regulations (GewO);
improve the visibility, comparability and credibility of master craftsperson qualifications;
improve support for the mobility of their holders.
Description
What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.
The policy development refers to a comprehensive process for aligning master craftsperson qualifications to the requirements of the NQF. The concept includes the definition of learning outcomes, the preparation of training documents, the development of guidelines for the design of examinations, the preparation of examiners and the provision of information to potential candidates and companies. The approach is intended to ensure compatibility with both the NQF and the trade regulations...
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.
Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) (until 2022)
