Cohesion Policy backs "green economy" for growth and long-term jobs in Europe

The ECVET Recommendation (11.05.09)

Recommendation on EQF (2008/C111/01)

Council Conclusions on the professional and geographical mobility of the workforce and the free movement of workers within the European Union

Going abroad to learn - Commission launches a public consultation on mobility opportunities for young people

Mobility for Young People

- An editorial by Mrs Odile Quintin, Director General for Education, Training, Culture and Youth at the European Commission. The editorial presents the general framework of the ECVET   design and places particular emphasis on the role of the ten ECVET pilot projects in this process;

- A thematic article, which illustrates the complementarities between the EQF pilot projects and the ECVET pilot projects.

The article identifies the experiences and lessons that can be learnt from the EQF pilot projects;

- A description of the ten ECVET pilot projects;

- A “what’s new” section, which provides information about the latest ECVET developments.

Strengthening the links between VET and the labour market. This ties in with the "New skills for new jobs" Commission Communication of December 2008 on anticipating and matching labour market and skills needs.

The adoption and implementation of the European Credit System for VET (ECVET) and the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for VET (EQARF). In April 2008, the Commission adopted these two proposals for recommendations by the European Parliament and by the Council. Negotiations. more...

New!  Article on the conference by EVTA:

The aim of this conference was to promote the recently adopted recommendation  by the Council and European Parliament, the  “European Credit system for VET’’ (ECVET)  and the  ‘’Quality Assurance Reference Framework’’ (EQARF).   Both systems aim to improve the transparency of Qualifications and the Quality of VET in Europe. 

ECVET as a methodological framework is a new European tool that should facilitate identification, assessment, recognition,  transferability of learning outcomes.   This framework thus significantly contributes toward the creation of international mobility as well as national mobility within individual countries.

EQARF focuses particularly on improvement and evaluation of “output” and “target” indicators of vocational education and training in the context of three EU policy priorities: increasing employability, improving the match between supply and demand for training and promoting better access to lifelong training.

The conference was organized by the Czech Presidency. In presence of the minister of Education Ms Miroslava Kopicova and  chaired by the deputy minister Jakub Durr.Participants representing member states, Social partners and European institutions were invited to discuss about ECVET and EQARF.Pasqualino Mare was invited to represent  EVTA and participated at the round table discussion related to ECVET. Other participants of this round table were The European Association of Crafts and medium sized companies, European Economic and Social Committee and the European Commission represented by  Mr. Joao Delgado and Mr. Aribaud.  The round table was chaired by the vice minister of the Czech Republic.

Pasqualino Mare underlined the importance of conditions such as sustainability and mutual trust when implementing European tools such as ECVET and EQARF. Conditions present since long within the organization and network of EVTA

‘’Member states, European Commission, support networks such as EVTA ‘’was the final message Pasqualino Mare