Taken from the vocational education and training workshop held at the Erasmus+ UK 'My Story' Annual Conference 2015. Originally presented by Michael Trueman, team leader for vocational education and training at the Erasmus+ UK National Agency. This presentation looks at how VET transparency and recognition tools within the Erasmus+ programme can be used to promote lifelong learning and employability within projects. The workshop was mainly delivered by experts in the fields. It focuses on ECVET, EQAVET, EQF and Europass and provides practical examples and templates for these initiatives.

1. Workshop:
Vocational
Education and
Training

2. VET Workshop Overview
This session will look at how VET transparency and
recognition tools within the Erasmus+ programme can be
used to promote lifelong learning and employability
within projects. The workshop will mainly be delivered by
experts in the fields. It will focus on ECVET, EQAVET, EQF
and Europass and will provide practical examples and
templates for these initiatives.

3. Agenda
• Welcome and Introduction to workshop
• Introduction to ECVET
• Introduction to EQF & EQAVET
• Introduction to UK NARIC and EUROPASS
• Close

4. INTRODUCING ECVET
The European Credit
System for VET

5. • It is NOT an organisation
• It is NOT a qualification
• It is NOT an Awarding Body
• It is NOT a quality standard (like IIP)
What ECVET is NOT!!

6. ECVET is a system for the
transfer, recognition and
accumulation of the
learning outcomes
achieved by an individual
with a view to achieving a
qualification.
So what is ECVET?

7. ECVET Terminology
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Statements of what a learner
knows, understands and is able to
do on completion of a learning
process
UNITS
Components of qualifications; a
coherent set of knowledge, skills
and competences that is able to be
assessed and validated
ECVET POINTS
Numerical representation of the
overall weight of learning outcomes
and of the relative weight of units in
relation to a qualification.
CREDIT
For units which have been
assessed and which can be
accumulated towards a
qualification or transferred to other
learning programmes or
qualifications

8. • UK Government is committed to implementing ECVET
• Units, Learning Outcomes and Credit already in use
• All four countries in UK have established qualification
and credit frameworks
• Core focus is on facilitating learning recognition for those
involved in geographical mobility
• FOUR National Coordination Points
What’s the UK position?

9. ECVET Coordination Points
The FOUR ECVET National Coordination Points in
the UK:
ENGLAND: ECCTIS
www.ecctis.co.uk/ecvet
SCOTLAND: Scottish Credit and Qualifications
Framework Partnership www.scqf.org.uk/ecvet
WALES: Colegau Cymru - Colleges Wales
www.collegeswales.ac.uk/en-GB/europe-269.aspx
NORTHERN IRELAND: Council for the Curriculum
Examinations and Assessment (CCEA)
www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/accreditation/euro
pean/ecvet/
Plus a national team of ECVET Experts managed by
the UK National Agency for Erasmus+ (Ecorys UK)
www.ecvetexperts.org.uk

10. A team of 13 experts, from across the UK, each
committed to:
• Raising awareness and promoting ECVET
• Developing information and guidance resources
• Hosting conferences and events to allow wider
discussion (and knowledge sharing) on ECVET
• Working with other countries to identify best practice
ECVET Experts: UK

11. UK VET
Programme
NL VET
Programme
Mobility: The Big Picture

12. • Memorandum of
Understanding
• Learning agreement
• Personal Transcript
What are the ECVET tools?

13. An agreement between organisations that
formalises the ECVET Partnership and which
outlines (or confirms):
• qualifications, sectors and programmes associated with
planned mobility programmes - with direct reference to qualification
levels and using the EQF as a tool for comparison and translation
• targeted learning outcomes
• assessment, validation and recognition processes (and roles)
• acceptance of existing quality assurance processes and criteria
Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU)

14. Learning Agreement (LA)
An individual document for each learner that
explains (or confirms):
• Information on a specific mobility period
• Learning outcomes that the learner is expected to achieve
• Details on planned assessment mechanisms (confirming tools
and approaches, timing and required documentation)
• Details on the partner roles and responsibilities confirming
Who will assess and where and when
• What evidence is require to ensure recognition on return home

15. VET Learner and staff mobility Application form
Section F1: Learning Outcomes
• Europass, ECVET and Youthpass
Section G2: Project Management
Memorandum of Understanding, Learning Agreement
KA1 Guide for Applicants, p27-28
• ECVET , European instruments
Practical links with
Erasmus+ Applications

16. Steps to Recognising Mobility
Reflection on
Current Practice
Memorandum of
Understanding
Learning Delivery
and Assessment
Learning
Agreements
Validation
Personal
Transcript
Recognition

17. Resources and Support
EXAMPLES:
• Completed Memorandum of Understanding
• Completed Learning Agreements (e.g. DECViP Project)
GUIDANCE MATERIALS:
• Getting the Credit your Learners Deserve
• Guidance for Awarding Organisations: ECVET Explained
• ECVET Toolkit
EVENTS:
• Targeted workshops held across the UK
• National ECVET Conference
FURTHER INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
www.ecvetexperts.org.uk
www.ecvet-toolkit.eu
www.erasmusplus.org.uk

18. Why use ECVET?
Benefits for
Learners
Benefits for
VET
Institutions
Benefits for
Employers

19. Why use ECVET?
• acknowledgement and recognition of achieved
learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, competence)
giving value to all learning experiences
• improved employability
• No duplication of learning!!
Benefits for
Learners
• capacity-building for staff: insight into different
teaching delivery and assessment techniques in
other European countries
• improved profile and greater visibility through
participation in European VET partnerships
Benefits for
VET
Institutions
• improved knowledge and understanding among
employees, including through exposure to new and
different work practices
• attractiveness of workforce development practices
among employees
Benefits for
Employers

20. The European Qualifications
Framework
(EQF)
Caroline Egerton – CCEA Accreditation

21. EQF Recommendation
The recommendation establishing the EQF came into force in
April 2008. The recommendation proposes that member states:
 relate their national qualifications systems to the EQF by
2010, in particular by referencing, in a transparent manner,
their qualification levels to the levels of the EQF
 adopt measures, as appropriate, so that, by 2012, all new
qualification certificates, diplomas and ‘Europass’
documents issued by the competent authorities contain a
clear reference, by way of national qualifications systems,
to the appropriate EQF level

22. MAIN FEATURES OF THE EQF
• 8 levels defined through
learning outcomes –
knowledge, skills and
competence
• Translation device for
comparing qualifications
• Reference tool based on
learning outcomes
• A meta framework
• EQF has two main aims; to
facilitate trans-national mobility
and lifelong learning
EQF Level 8
EQF Level 7
EQF Level 6
EQF Level 5
EQF Level 4
EQF Level 3
EQF Level 2
EQF Level 1

24. EQF Implementation and the UK
• Implementation of the EQF is voluntary, all EU member states are proceeding.
• Each member state has a National Coordination Point for EQF implementation
• 38 countries are working towards EQF referencing
• 28 NQFs have been formally adopted (18 have reached operational stage, 7 are fully
operational and 11are at early stages)
• There are two main stages to implementation of the EQF. The first is to reference
national qualification levels to EQF levels. 26 countries have submitted referencing
reports
• The UK presented its report on referencing the Credit and Qualifications Framework
for Wales (CQFW), the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and the Scottish
Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) to the EQF in January 2010.
• The second main stage is to ensure that stakeholders across the UK understand the
EQF and are aware of its potential uses and benefits. From 2010 the UK EQF NCPs
have collaborated in a programme of EQF implementation activities using EU grant
money.
• EQF levels on qualification certificates – the second milestone 2013

25. UK EQF National Coordination Points
(NCPs)
• There are four EQF NCPs in the UK:
ENGLAND: Ofqual
www.ofqual.gov.uk
simon.perks@ofqual.gov.uk
SCOTLAND: Scottish Credit and
Qualifications Framework Partnership
www.scqf.org.uk
a.ponton@scqf.org.uk
WALES: Colegau Cymru - Colleges Wales
www.collegeswales.ac.uk
adrian.sheehan@collegeswales.ac.uk
NORTHERN IRELAND: Council for the
Curriculum Examinations and
Assessment (CCEA) www.ccea.org.uk
cegerton@ccea.org.uk

26. The UK Frameworks and the EQF

27. Referencing Criteria
• All competent bodies involved
• Level to level justification
• Learning outcomes, credit and validation
• Allocating qualifications to NQF levels
• QA processes
• QA bodies sign up
• International experts involved
• One voice, one report
• Levels on certificates
• Portal visibility

28. Joint portal on learning
opportunities and qualifications
• The qualifications portal provides information on the EQF, NQFs and how
they compare as well as information on qualifications in Europe with the
facility to search by subject field, level of education or country.
• The learning opportunities portal provides information and links on
opportunities to learn or study in another EU country with the facility to
search by subject field, level of education or country.
• Most European countries plan to have completed the process to link their
national qualifications systems to EQF levels by end 2015. The results of this
linking (or ‘referencing’) process is available on the qualifications Portal
under ‘Compare National Qualifications Frameworks’.
• Further information on the EQF is available at the Learning Opportunities
and Qualifications in Europe Portal http://ec.europa.eu/ploteus/en.

29. http://ec.europa.eu/ploteus/en.

30. Some effects of the EQF
NQF developments (overarching NQFs)
Lifelong learning integrating functions
Stimulating work on learning outcomes
The quality of referencing
Making quality assurance explicit
Validation of non-formal and informal learning
Registers of national qualifications

31. EQF Animation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=M
BGQuyYy7qA

32. Eqavet: A Tool for Transparency
The European Quality Assurance
Reference Framework for Vocational
Education and Training
Caroline Egerton
CCEA Accreditation

33. The Eqavet Recommendation
• Published in 2009, the Recommendation invites member
states to:
– Use and develop the Eqavet framework, which comprises
quality criteria, indicative descriptors and reference
indicators
– Develop a quality improvement approach
– Actively participate in the Eqavet network
– Establish a national reference point (one each has been
established for England, NI, Scotland & Wales)
– Review implementation every four years

34. The Eqavet Framework
• Based on a cyclical ‘Plan – Do (implement) – Check (evaluate) –
Act (review)’ model to support quality assurance at system and
provider levels
• Quality criteria presented for each phase of this cycle
• Ten recommended quality indicators, e.g. completion and
achievement rates, destination data, use of skills in the
workplace
• Framework is intended to be used as a ‘toolbox’, adapted to
users’ own context

36. Key elements
PLANNING: set up clear, appropriate and
measurable goals and objectives
IMPLEMENTATION: establish procedures to
ensure the achievement of goals and
objectives
ASSESMENT and EVALUATION: design
mechanisms for the evaluation of
achievements by collecting and processing
data in order to make informed assessment
REVIEW: develop procedures in order to
achieve targeted outcomes and/or new
objectives after discussion and analysis with
key stakeholders
Quality indicators
1. Relevance of quality assurance systems
for VET providers
2. Investment in training of teachers and
trainers
3. Participation rate in VET programmes
4. Completion rate in VET programmes
5. Placement rate in VET programmes
6. Utilisation of acquired skills at the
workplace
7. Unemployment rate
8. Prevalence of vulnerable groups
9. Mechanisms to identify training needs in
the labour market
10. Schemes used to promote better access
to VET
Deepening a culture of quality
assurance

37. Role in Transparency and Mobility
• The framework can be used to enable users to compare each
others’ quality assurance systems, supporting mutual trust and
understanding
• However, this depends on widespread use of the framework
across member states
• No requirement to adopt the system as a whole
• Commission report (2014) noted a lack of use to date in
support of mobility, and a lack of synergy with the EQF, ECVET
and Europass
• Joint Eqavet/ECVET working group established in response

38. Role in Quality Improvement
• The Eqavet framework provides a set of good practice
examples the use of which can support the development of an
effective system, based on existing practice across the EU
• Also useful tool for benchmarking, self-evaluation and
improvement of existing systems
• Adopting the cyclical approach and using relevant indicators
will strengthen your project management and reporting
systems

39. Eqavet, ECVET and Erasmus+
• References to Eqavet are an occasional feature of Erasmus+ mobility
applications
• Use of the Eqavet framework in proposals should reflect its use as a
transparency tool – a name-check isn’t sufficient
• The Eqavet framework can be used as a tool to better understand the
nature of Erasmus+ partners’ activities, and help to engender mutual trust
• Many opportunities for testing the value of Eqavet principles and
framework through mobility episodes – take them!
• EQAVET also complements the work of ECVET: the use of ECVET for
geographical mobility must also be underpinned by quality assurance (QA)
procedures. EQAVET provides support for structuring these procedures
• The Eqavet quality cycle can be applied to specific learner experiences in
mobility programmes and also, more broadly, to ECVET partnerships
• For more details see the ECVET toolkit at:
http://www.ecvet-toolkit.eu/site/ecvettoolkit/qualityassurance

40. Finally!
• Eqavet animation
https://youtu.be/7A2OaR3fejg
• Many materials available on eqavet.eu including
online toolkits:
-QA for VET systems -
http://www.eqavet.eu/index.html
- QA for VET providers -
http://www.eqavet.eu/index2.html

41. Frazer Wallace – UK NEC Coordinator
frazer.wallace@naric.org.uk
01242 260225
September 2015

43. Europass: Function
Europass
Mobility
TransparencyRecognition

44. The Documents:
The component
parts are distinct
and separate and
can be used
individually or in
association with one
another.
European
Skills
Passport
Lang.
Pass.
Dip
Suppl.
Cert.
Suppl.
Mobility
Other
docs.
NEW Europass Portfolio
CV
Cover
Letter

45. Europass Mobility
• Often used to record work
placements, academic or
Erasmus + placements
• Completed by the
organisations responsible for
organising and hosting the
experience
• Helps individuals to identify
key skills when applying for
work and study
• Intended for any person
undergoing a mobility
experience whatever their age
or level of education
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Number 68 1,309 2,321 1,799 2,575 2,959 3,019
Percentage
Increase on
previous
year N/A N/A 1,825% 77% -22% 43% 15% 2%
Cumulative
total 68 1,377 3,698 5,497 8,072 11,031 14,050

46. Europass Mobility

47. Europass Mobility

48. Europass Mobility

49. Europass Certificate Supplement
• A supplement to a vocational qualification certificate.
• Specific to the qualification rather than the individual.
• Can be issued in paper format on graduation, or made available from
an online database.
• Provides additional information on the degree or diploma, in
particular:
• Content, key skills and grading,
• Level with in the NQF and information on the issuing awarding
body,
• The function of the qualification and any professional status.
• Aids recognition of qualifications.
• Helps employers and education providers understand the level and
content of qualifications.

50. Europass Certificate Supplement
Currently Issued by:
Interested UK Awarding Organisations:

51. qualifications are better understood

52. ReferNet
Decentralised information exchange – producing and reporting on:
 Comparative information about VET systems
 Developments within VET
 Policies in the context of the Copenhagen Process
30 members, representing the EU countries and Iceland and Norway.
Main outputs:
 ReferNet comparative reports (country-by-country)
 Policy survey – new developments
 Spotlight brochures (brief summary of VET system)
 Specific articles (thematic news) – determined on year-by-year
http://www.naric.org.uk/ReferNet/

53. www.europass.org.uk
Thank you and questions

54. Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport.
The Erasmus+ UK National Agency is a partnership between the British Council and Ecorys UK.
Contact Details
Michael Trueman
Team Leader
Erasmus+ UK National Agency
Ecorys UK
T. 0121 212 8864
M. 07823 520088 |
Helpline. 0121 212 8947
michael.trueman@ecorys.com