European Credit for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET)
Download
Report
Transcript European Credit for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET)
On the way to an European
Qualification Framework
EQF & ECVET
BERLIN – 29-11-2006
European Commission, DG EAC – Unit A3
Why an EQF?
2
Problem
Lack of communication and cooperation
between education and training systems
Barriers to lifelong learning and mobility
Between Member States and between
systems, e.g. between higher education and
VET, between international sectors and
national systems
3
Existing instruments
Europass: description of an
individual’s qualifications, so far
without indication of levels
Bologna process: Higher Education
framework
Directive 2005/36 for access to
regulated professions
4
EQF: approach and
objectives
Increase transparency and portability
of qualifications
Create common reference framework
as translation device between
qualification systems and levels
Cover all levels and forms of learning
Look at learning outcomes
5
Why Learning
outcomes?
6
Learning outcomes
shifts focus from input to what a person
knows and is able to do
better match between needs of the labour
market and education and training provision
facilitates transfer and use of qualifications
across different countries and education and
training systems
facilitates validation of non-formal and
informal learning
7
Using EQF
8
Country A
Q
Q
Q
Q
9
NQ
F/
NQ
S
NQ
F/
NQ
S
NQ
F/
NQ
S
NQ
F/
NQ
S
Country B
EQF Level 8
EQF Level 7
EQF Level 6
EQF Level 5
EQF Level 4
NQ
F/
NQ
S
NQ
F/
NQ
S
Q
Q
EQF Level 3
EQF Level 2
EQF Level 1
NQ
F/
NQ
S
Q
Swedish postsecondary engineering
education
(Påbygnadsutbildning)
= EQF Level 4
= Irish post secondary
education at national
level 6 (Advanced
certificate)
E
Q
F
Subsidiarity
voluntary
does not replace national systems
or describe specific qualifications
qualifications placed via national
system
EQF: recommends that MS
1. Use EQF as a reference tool
2. Reference their levels to EQF by
2009
3. Reference new qualifications to
EQF levels by 2011
4. Use learning outcomes approach
5. Designate national EQF centre
EQF: Commission’s role
Support MSs in cooperation,
testing and guidance
Establish EQF advisory group
Report after 5yrs with possible
review of Recommendation
EQF reference level
descriptors
Based on learning outcomes
(knowledge, skills and competence) and
not systems
8 levels covering all levels of academic
and vocational qualifications
Integrates Bologna descriptors (within
learning outcomes of levels 5-8)
Where do we stand?
Discussion in Council and EP
Aim: Agreement under German
presidency 2007
Leonardo da Vinci projects: test
and develop EQF; develop
national/sectoral frameworks
Who benefits?
Main users will be qualification bodies
Individuals and employers benefit
because EQF
Facilitates reading across systems
Facilitates diverse learning
pathways and access to lifelong
learning
Facilitates mobility for working or
learning
Why ECVET?
17
ECVET is a
political priority
18
ECVET
will improve
mobility
19
ECVET is a priority for
lifelong learning
20
ECVET will improve
transparency
of qualifications
21
ECVET will improve
mutual trust
and cooperation
22
ECVET and EQF
23
Complementarities
between ECVET and EQF
Based on learning outcomes
Centred on qualifications
Emphasis on Lifelong Learning
Focused on Mobility
Transparency oriented
24
Complementarities
between ECVET and EQF
ECVET
8 COMMON
REFERENCE
LEVELS
25
Why is ECVET important
for individuals?
26
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
Mr X has an opportunity
for a learning period
abroad
27
Achieved learning outcomes
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
Mr
an opportunity
MrXXhas
achieves
L.O.
for a learning period
abroad
28
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
…and now Mr X
wants to transfer
“home” his new
learning outcomes
to include them for
the qualification
Achieved L.O.
29
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
Transfer Process
Achieved L.O.
30
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
But it’s
difficult,
because of
barriers…
31
• No transparency
But it’s
difficult,
• No mutual
because of
barriers…
trust
• No validation
• No accumulation of
learning outcomes
• No recognition
32
ECVET would help
remove those barriers
33
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
Because competent body A
validates and recognises
learning outcomes achieved
in context B
ECVET would
mean Mr X can
transfer “home” his
new L.O.
Achieved L.O.
34
Qualification
context (A)
Context A
Qualification
—
The learning outcomes
gained are accumulated
and are now an integrated
part of his qualification
35
What is ECVET?
36
37
Credit points
Units
Transfer process
38
Credit points
Units
Transfer process
Learning context
B
Learning context
A
Transcript of
record
Assessment of L.O.
Credit for L.O.
39
Validation of L.O.
Recognition of L.O.
Accumulation of L.O.
40
Credit points
Units
Transfer process
The aim of the ECVET learning
outcomes transfer process
41
A qualification is described in
units of learning outcomes
Knowledge
Unit
Skills
Competence
42
Qualification
The heart of ECVET: Units
43
The heart of ECVET: Units
Qualification
Unit
Unit
Unit
44
Designed at
national level by
competent bodies.
45
Credit points
Units
Transfer process
80 Pts
46
Qualification
ECVET Credit points indicate
the relative weight of units:
an example
Unit
10 Points
Unit
50 Points
Unit
20 Points
Allocation of ECVET credit points
To a qualification then to units
Different approaches are
possible
Convention in the formal
context
47
What is the role of the
‘competent bodies’?
48
Linking qualifications to ECVET:
the role of the ‘competent bodies’
Commitment for linking qualifications to ECVET
and decision on the adoption
Design for processes: assessment, validation,
transfer, accumulation and recognition
Expression of Qualifications and units
Allocation of Credit Points
Establishment of partnerships/memoranda of
understanding
Regulation and quality assurance
49
Using ECVET: ‘Competent bodies’
and VET providers are involved in:
50
Individual’s learning agreement
Assessment of learning outcomes
Award of credits
Validation
Transfer
Recognition
…
Roadmap towards
ECVET
51
ECVET: procedure for
2006-2007
Launch the consultation (November 2006 March 2007)*
Conference in Germany June 2007
Preparation of the final proposal
Adoption process
Implementation in Member States
*Consultation document on:
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/consult/index_en.htm
52
l