Credit Transfer and Standardisation of IT and Multimedia Skills and Qualifications in Europe Gerald Thiel DEKRA Akademie Germany Session 6h 28 October 2004eChallenges e-2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie

Background Lisbon Declaration of March 2000:.. The European Union (EU) should become the worlds most competitive knowledge-based economy by Follow-ups –Bologna Process –Copenhagen Process –e-Skills Forum Session 6h 28 October 2004eChallenges e-2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie

Bologna Process Initiated by the European Council in 1999 (including 40 countries) Objective: Creation of European Higher Education Area which - is based on common structures - heightens mobility of teachers and students - improves collaboration among high schools - establishes a system of mutual recognition of study periods (European Credit Transfer System – ECTS) eChallenges e-2004 Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie Session 6h 28 October 2004

Copenhagen Process Initiated by the European Ministers of Vocational Education and Training and the European Commission (Copenhagen, Declaration November 2002) intending to create A single framework for transparency of competences and qualifications (New EUROPASS) A system of credit transfer for VET (ECVET) Common criteria and principles for quality in VET Common principles for the validation of non-formal and informal learning Lifelong guidance enabling citizens to have improved access to lifelong learning eChallenges e-2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA AkademieSession 6h 28 October 2004

e-Skills Forum Established in March 2003 by decision of the EU Ministers Council (Forum Members: Government Representatives, ICT Industry, Training Providers, Universities, Social Partners) Objective: Start an open dialogue among these stakeholders to overcome eSkills Gaps and to identify eSkills Mismatches Completed in September 2004 with Final Declaration determining priority actions of 2005 Session 6h 28 October 2004eChallenges e-2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie

e-Skills Meta-Framework Priority Action of the e-Skills Forum Preparatory Workshop May 2004 To be set up in the framework of a CEN/ISSS workshop (Start: First Quarter 2005) eChallenges e-2004 Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie Session 6h 28 October 2004

The New EUROPASS: A Unique Transparency Framework for European Training and Education Elements European CV Diploma Supplement Language Portfolio Certificate Comment MobiliPass (former EUROPASS)

A Crucial Element of the Whole System to be set up: ECVET Purpose: To promote mobility between various national VET systems throughout Europe for students, trainees and adult learners in VET programmes, apprenticeships and work experience schemas Four operational logics: 1.A curriculum focused on outcomes/outputs combining units 2.A process of a learning pathway based on modules 3.A measurement logic (attributing credits to units and learning pathways) 4.An institutional recognition logic (by certification procedures) eChallenges e-2004 Session 6h 28 October 2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie

Pillars of ECVET Implementation Credit Point Scale Single Framework on Transparency of Qualifications and Competences (New EUROPASS) E-Skills Meta-Framework Common Reference Levels Definition of Knowledge, Skills and Competences Common Quality Assurance Framework Zones of Mutual Trust Session 6h 28 October 2004eChallenges e-2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie

Next Steps 25 November: Presentation to the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training 14 December: Explicit reference of the proposed ECVET approach in the Maastricht Communiqué which will be adopted by the Ministers of Vocational Training Final trimester of 2004 and first semester of 2005: Continue the work of the TWG –Definition of the credit points scale –Design of a general framework for the Memoranda of Understanding between VET providers –Design of a manual for VET providers and learners –Design of an experimental framework for ECVET End of first semester 2005: Formal proposal from the Commission on the ECVET system (i.e. the principles, reference framework and the conditions for implementation of ECVET) Second semester 2005 and first semester 2006: Experimental implementation of ECVET Second semester 2006: Extended implementation of ECVET eChallenges e-2004Session 6h 28 October 2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie

Challenges The same terms have different meanings in different cultural contexts. Traditional qualification systems are input oriented, new qualification frameworks are output oriented. The latter ones require conversion of learning outcomes into training programmes Exploiting the results of informal learning for career planing requires assessment of learning outcomes independently from learning site. eChallenges e-2004 Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie Session 6h 28 October 2004

LEONARDO Pilot Projects ECTS Certification on On-line and Hands-on Training in Further Education of Chemistry Workers VQTS – Developing a Vocational Qualifications Transfer System in the Sector of Mechanical Engineering Embedding ICT/Multimedia Standardisation Initiatives into European Vocational Training Development Strategies eChallenges e-2004Session 6h 28 October 2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie

Embedding Standards: Tasks Create a grid existing ICT/multimedia profiles and curricula should be measured against Define reference profile and curriculum Define smallest assessable units Assign credit points to units Define modules and learn paths Design model for transnational vocational training measure/human resources development Carry out and evaluate training, thereby creating Zones of Mutual Trust Session 6h 28 October 2004eChallenges e-2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie

Embedding Standards: Partnership Project Partners: 13 partners from 8 countries (universities, training providers, research institutes, associations, big enterprise) Expert Partners (e.g. CEDEFOP, QCA, University of Kassel, University of Toulouse, eSkills Sector Council, BITKOM, VQTS Consortium) Support of –Technical Working Group on Credit Transfer –CEN/ISSS Workshop on e-Skills Meta-Framework Session 6h 28 October 2004eChallenges e-2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie

How to follow project work Project progress can be observed in the framework CEDEFOP virtual communities: – – – You are kindly invited to join them and to participate in discussions! Session 6h 28 October 2004eChallenges e-2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie

Thank you! Session 6h 28 October 2004eChallenges e-2004Copyright 2004 DEKRA Akademie