The TRECVET

PROJECT

An innovative support tool for

ECVET

www.trecvet.eu

LINQ 2013 16 to 17 May 2013 in Rome

It should be noted that TRECVET is a Development of Innovation Project in the

Leonardo da Vinci Lifelong Learning Programme.

Consequently the methodology described here is experimental in nature and may

change during the lifetime of this project as additional facts become available.

The Specific Problem: Within the SCV (Small Commercial Vessel) maritime sector of the EU, qualifications of one member state are not recognised by the authorities of other member states. This problem exists across the whole of the EU.

The TRECVET project has analysed a representative sample of qualifications from three countries. UK, Spain and Germany.

These are:

Germany (SportSeeSchifferschein-SSS),

Spain (Patrón Profesional de Embarcación de Recreo –PPER)

U.K. (Yachtmaster Offshore Commercial)

The wider need for TRECVET:

All VET institutions within the EU are required to recognise each others qualifications to allow greater work mobility for European

citizens.

How can this vision be achieved?

How can qualifications be objectively compared?

The Challenge for TRECVET is to make an Objective comparison of a complex set of data

from three countries.

TRECVET's Solution is to separate the data into unique and common data sets.

How can this be achieved?

The comparison of Vocational Education and

Training (VET) qualifications in the TRECVET

project is based on the premise that

Examinable Content can be broken down

into Fundamental Elements (FEs).

What is a TRECVET

FE (Fundamental Element)?

1. An FE is the smallest subdivision of an examinable content that in itself

constitutes a complete logical and coherent learning block.

2. FEs can contain knowledge only (Theory) or be a combination of

knowledge and skill (Practical).

3. An FE is autonomous and does not contain or depend on other FEs for

its existence.

4. The minimum pre-knowledge required to assimilate an FE is that of an

average 16 year old school leaver.

How do we find

Fundamental Elements?

Pre-selection of possible FEs and FE Clusters.

Where to start?

An example block of text taken from a typical RYA examination question

that demonstrates the process is included here:

2. At midnight (log 32.5M) the mate of a vessel off Hamilton fixes position:

S. Stephens’s Pt Lt 106º(M)

Outer Robens Lt 057º(M)

Depth 30m contour line

a) Plot a fix; give latitude and longitude.

b) Why, in this instance, should the contour be used with caution?

1. a) At 1630 the skipper of a vessel plots the

GPS position 45º 40’.15N 006º 23’.81W.

What is the magnetic course to steer to a waypoint at position 45º 38’.34N

006º 13’.69W?

b) What is the vessel’s predicted COG and SOG?

Boat speed 8.0kn. Set and drift 010º(T) 2.0kn.

From the preceding block of highlighted text

we are able to extract the following key words

and phrases that allude to being single FEs

or FE clusters.

Log, position, Bearing (Magnetic), Bearing

(Magnetic), Depth, Contour Line, Plot a fix,

latitude, longitude, contour, GPS Position,

Latitude, Longitude, Magnetic Course to Steer,

Waypoint, Latitude, Longitude, COG, SOG, Boat

Speed, Knots (speed), Set and Drift, and Knots

(speed).

Tabulation of extracted key words

and phrases.

Once the selected text has been read and

highlighted, the identified key words and

phrases must be tested to determine if they

are FEs, MHs or of no significance.

TRECVET has developed a methodology

and software for this purpose.

TRECVET

Proof Testing of

Fundamental Elements FEs

and

Major Headings

MHs

TRECVET has

developed the

fexTool, a

database and

software application

to proof test and

store FEs and MHs

The fexTool is

currently available in

English, Spanish

and

German.

The

Data

A representative sample of three country FE data held on the

fexTool. A system of three Prefixed Key Words

is used to make the data more easily accessed on the

Graphical User Interface (GUI) currently being developed

by the project for the online presentation of the data.

The image to the right

shows an example of the

GUI (Graphical User

Interface) being

developed in TRECVET.

This one requests

qualification differences

between two countries.

The system can also show

commonalities between

two or more countries OR

a single countries

complete FE list.

Where do we

go from here?

The future of TRECVET

The methodologies and software tools developed in

TRECVET will have a major impact in the following

ECVET areas.

1. Trans National and cross VET sector skill

comparison and exploitation.

2. ECVET Learning Agreement and Mobility

planning.

Trans National and cross VET sector skill

comparison and exploitation.

The TRECVET database will be expanded to include

not only maritime but a whole range of other VET

qualification. It will provide a simple, objective and

transparent method of comparing both similar and

dissimilar qualifications for transferable skills.

This will not only enhance the mobility of workers

between countries but will also support trans-sectoral

migration between different VET sectors and at the

same time minimise retraining requirements.

ECVET Learning Agreement and Mobility

planning.

Within ECVET identifying Learning Outcomes for mobility

planning is a difficult and demanding task. With no generally

agreed quality standard for the assessment of Learning

Outcomes, it is hard to establish trust between competent

institutions.

Using TRECVET's methodologies, database and software tools,

VET qualifications can be broken down into FEs.

Qualifications can be objectively compared and rebuilt into

Learning Outcomes providing a transparent basis for Learning

Agreements, mobility planning, assessment validation and

recognition; greatly enhancing the implementation of ECVET

principles.

In Conclusion

In the current financial and technological situation employers and employees alike are having to make major re-assessments. It would appear that the single skilled will be at a great disadvantage in the post crisis workplace.

In todays world the old adage 'Jack of all trades, master of none' takes on a much more positive connotation.

On Behalf of

Sea Teach

and

TRECVET Project

Thank you very much for your attention.

www.trecvet.eu

bernie@sea-teach.com