Be-TWIN Leonardo Project From the loner to the internationalist An ECVET system for initial vocational education and training Phil Whitehead Staffordshire LLN Project Co-ordinator

Some issues...? Mobility Conditions for improving lifelong learning Flexible learning and Recognition of Prior Learning Demographics Internationalism Compatibility, comparability and complementarity of credit systems in VET and ECTS Variety of approaches – European tools and national policies and reforms Member states define and develop their own policies by building on established practices

Key Concepts and Influences The Bologna Process (European Higher Education Area) The Copenhagen Process The Lisbon Convention ECTS (European Credit Accumulation and Transfer System) ECVET (European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Europass The Diploma Supplement

ECTS: European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Is a tool which enables students to collect credits for learning achieved through higher education. Is a learner-centred system for CAT based on the transparency of learning outcomes and learning processes. Is widely used in formal higher education and can be applied to other lifelong learning activities. ECTS credits are based on the workload students need in order to achieve expected learning outcomes - 60 ECTS credits are attached to the workload of a full-time year of learning (academic year) and the associated learning outcomes. One credit corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of work.

ECVET Aims for better comparability and compatibility between different national VET and qualification systems (implemented by 2012?) Voluntary framework to describe qualifications in terms of units of learning outcomes Units associated with certain number of ECVET points (60 points should correspond to learning outcomes achieved in a year of FT VET) In ECVET learning outcomes acquired by an individual in different contexts, whether abroad or under another system, can be easily transferred to the individual’s home context for accumulation and the achievement of a qualification

Be-TWIN – Background Information Bologna Process European Reform Process to create EHEA (46 countries) Based on co-operation Attractive to students and staff Facilitating mobility Supporting personal development of students Promoting equal access to HE Validation of the outcomes of lifelong learning Transparency of qualifications ECVET Pilot Projects

The CAPE-SV project: capitalisation of learning outcomes in Europe’s live performing arts. The OPIR project: practical and interregional tools for ECVET. The ECVET ASSET project: Automobile Service Sector. The SME Master+ project: Skilled Mobile-European Master Plus (bakers) The AEROVET project: identification of sector-related qualifications according to common demands of being employed by enterprises of the European aeronautic and space industry. The N.E.T.WORK project: ECVET System for ‘No borders in tourism hospitality’. The CREDCHEM project: testing CTS to improve mobility within the chemicals sector. And more....

Be-TWIN: Motivation The 2 credit systems (ECTS for HE and ECVET for VET) represent different methodological approaches that both aim at facilitating credit transfer and accumulation. To fully support LLN it is crucial that these systems become interconnected. In several participating countries, qualifications are at boundaries between ECVET and ECTS – e.g. French BTS and UK FDs are both designed using the learning outcomes approach and would naturally fit the ECVET logic. However, in order to receive financing of their students’ mobility, institutions awarding these qualifications have to use ECTS.

Be-TWIN – Motivation continued Project will test ECVET on qualifications at different EQF levels (4,5,6 and 7). These qualifications are sited at junction of VET and HE as they are designed within the learning outcomes approach, favour on-the-job training and respond to a professional standard needed by the industry. Three sectors: plastic industry, hospitality management and training of trainers.

Project Overview: Aims Bringing ECTS and ECVET closer to bridge the gap between Higher Education and VET by implementing a unified European approach to education and training Credit transfer and accumulation Students’ and workers’ mobility Lifelong learning Harmonisation of national systems within a common European approach to Education and Training Articulation of the two methodological approaches: student workload and learning outcomes Long-term perspective: merging of the two systems on the basis of the learning outcomes approach

Project Partners CCIP (France) University of Rousse (Bulgaria) Rectorat de Paris (France) CPV (Italy) USP Venezia (Italy) LLN and Stratford College (UK) ZdZ (Poland) UNICA (Belgium) ENAIP (Italy) DEKRA (Germany) Ekonometpika (Greece)

The Work Packages Work Package 1: Project Co-ordination Work Package 2: Methodology Work Package 3: Operational Testing Work Package 4: Project Evaluation and Quality Assurance Work Package 5: Exploitation of results Work Package 6: Dissemination of results

Work Package 2: Methodology Design and publish a methodological guide linking both credit systems Develop a matrix to be applied in the framework of the three case studies

Work Package 3 Operational Testing Implement 3 case-studies based on existing programmes: CSI: Plastics Industry (EQF 4 and 5) – 3 French and 1 German partner looking at horizontal and vertical mobility at levels 4 and 5 – 80 learners CS2: Hospitality Management – Fd at Stratford College and BA in Hospitality Management, CCIP and Ecole de Savignac – involving 120 learners CS3: Training of trainers (Adult Education – EQF 6 or 7 – DEKRA, CCIP, USP Venezia (with University of Padua) – focus on trainers’ qualifications – 30 learners involved Ongoing

Achievements to date Stratford College – website WP: Evaluation – External Evaluator WP: Dissemination WP: Methodology (published July 2010) Conferences and Work Package meetings Dissemination and exploitation – general approaches

Useful websites and other information (and weekly European HE newsletter) ECVET Bulletin (via project website) EU Connects (West Midlands in Europe) Thank you for listening:

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