Brussels, 22/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 18 December, the European Parliament gave first reading approval to two draft recommendations on vocational education and training and on the European credit system. The aim is to have a uniform system throughout the EU for recognising vocational skills. Member states will opt in to these two initiatives and national differences will be respected (see EUROPE 9640).
The Commission proposed the creation of a European quality assurance reference framework in vocational education and training (EQARF). The purpose of the framework is to define references decided jointly by several countries. Parliament adopted the draft recommendation by 561 votes to 16, with 10 abstentions. The report by Jan Andersson (PES, Sweden) underlines that the framework does not prescribe any specific quality system or approach, but provides common principles and common criteria to help member states assess and improve existing systems. It is hoped the recommendation will help modernise the education and training system, improve the effectiveness of training to ensure that people do not leave without qualifications, strengthen the links between education, training and employment, building bridges between formal, non-formal and informal learning and expanding the award of qualifications on the basis of experience acquired.
The draft recommendation on the European credit system for vocational education and vocational training (ECVET) to enhance cross-border mobility for workers and increase transparency with regard to vocational qualifications obtained abroad was adopted by 564 votes to 12, with 8 abstentions (report by Thomas Mann, EPP-ED, Germany). The Commission proposal provides a methodological framework, through the ECVET, for describing qualification in terms of units of learning outcomes, with associated credits, with a view to transfers and building up learning outcomes. The rapporteur recommends that the initiative be phased in, based on practical experience through the voluntary participation of member states. The Commission should promote an ECVET network, which brings together vocational education and training stakeholders. Competent national institutions and member states are also invited to become involved. MEPs felt that the 2012 deadline proposed by the Commission for the introduction of the ECVET should be extended. There should be a test period and the application of the system to vocational education and training qualifications should be gradual, for the purposes of transfer, recognition and the build up of learning outcomes individually completed. The Commission is called on to report back to the Parliament and Council five years after the adoption of the recommendation (rather than four, as proposed by the Commission) on the experience gained and the implications for the future. (I.L./transl.rt)