Workshop: Vocational Education and Training

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.

Agenda • Welcome and Introduction to workshop

• Introduction to ECVET

• Introduction to EQF & EQAVET

• Introduction to UK NARIC and EUROPASS

• Close

INTRODUCING ECVET The European Credit System for VET

• 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!!

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?

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

• 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?

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/european/ecvet/ Plus a national team of ECVET Experts managed by the UK National Agency for Erasmus+ (Ecorys UK) www.ecvetexperts.org.uk

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

UK VET

Programme

NL VET

Programme

Mobility: The Big Picture

• Memorandum of

Understanding

• Learning agreement

• Personal Transcript

What are the ECVET tools?

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)

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

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

Steps to Recognising Mobility

Reflection on

Current Practice

Memorandum of

Understanding

Learning Delivery

and Assessment

Learning

Agreements

Validation

Personal

Transcript

Recognition

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

Why use ECVET?

Benefits for Learners

Benefits for VET

Institutions

Benefits for Employers

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

The European Qualifications Framework

(EQF) Caroline Egerton – CCEA Accreditation

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

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

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

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

The UK Frameworks and the EQF

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

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.

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

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

EQF Animation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=M

BGQuyYy7qA

Eqavet: A Tool for Transparency

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for Vocational

Education and Training

Caroline Egerton

CCEA Accreditation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frazer Wallace – UK NEC Coordinator

frazer.wallace@naric.org.uk

01242 260225

September 2015

Europass: Function

Europass

Mobility

Transparency Recognition

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

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

Europass Mobility

Europass Mobility

Europass Mobility

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.

Europass Certificate Supplement

Currently Issued by:

Interested UK Awarding Organisations:

qualifications are better understood

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/

www.europass.org.uk

Thank you and questions

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