ECVET.
The European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) is a technical framework for the transfer, recognition and accumulation of individual learning outcomes with a view to achieving a qualification.
ECVET aims to support the mobility of European citizens, facilitating lifelong learning (formal, informal and non-formal learning) and providing greater transparency in terms of individual learning experiences and making it more attractive to participate in mobility or to move between different countries and different learning environments.
An essential element of the use of ECVET during formal education is the principle of ‘avoiding duplication’ and ensuring that the time spent abroad is not considered a delay to achieving current training goals or qualifications.
Although ECVET can be used in a much wider context, the EMEU network is going to create a manual intended to support its members in applying some of the elements of the ECVET approach to the EMEU modules. Therefore, the sole focus of this manual will be on the implementation of ECVET when used in the context of mobility during formal education. This manual should facilitate cooperation of EMEU partner institutions organising transnational mobility actions. These guidelines are based, on the one hand, on the terms defined in the ECVET recommendation and the joint European principles which have been described as "technical specifications" as well as on practical experiences gained during the EMEU pilot mobilities.
The conclusion from many ECVET pilot projects is that ECVET is experienced too much as a policy instrument, and too theoretical in spite of its practical purpose. Stakeholders in VET have difficulties in understanding ECVET and, as they may not receive adequate support from their national authorities responsible for ECVET, show reluctance to implementing it. Therefore, the advice for the EMEU network is to connect the development of the quality of the already existing mobility processes and the use of the ECVET instruments when and where relevant. For those partners inexperienced in transnational mobility, the use of the ECVET tools can be seen as a shortcut to creating a high-quality mobility process.
The EMEU ECVET manual is developed in three stages: focus on learning outcomes, focus on assessment and focus on recognition and validation. It is collected into one complete manual which supports the the implementation of ECVET. The manual also includes examples of assessment.
The European Knowledge Center has created a film explaining the concept of ECVET.
At the kick off meeting of EMEU4ALL ECVET as it is implemented in the EMEU network was presented.
