Print version Recommend this page Press release
45/ 2004
Bonn, Press release 14.12.2004
EUROPASS
(framework concept to promote the transparency of qualifications and skills)
-The Steering Committee of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training adopts a recommendation-
At a meeting on 8 December 2004, the Steering Committee of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) 01) discussed the issue of the "EUROPASS (framework concept to promote the transparency of qualifications and skills)", and agreed on the following recommendation:
"1. Evaluation
We welcome the creation of a uniform European transparency framework for education and qualification in the form of the EUROPASS. As the result of the Bruges-Copenhagen process, the EUROPASS also represents an important tool for vocational training, in order to record and promote the mobility of trainees and employees in the European training area. The framework concept put forward offers the opportunity across Europe of providing evidence of individual and extended profiles of the competencies and qualifications of training participants and people in employment. It can be used as a basis to assess whether mobility and the anticipated positive effects on qualifications and employment in Europe can be further improved. In our view, the extension and integration into a uniform training and qualification portfolio of individual documents which to date have been handled separately, is of benefit to cross-border mobility. In addition to evidence of aptitude at a national level, companies will in future have access to an extended basis for evaluation, which can promote cross-border qualification activities and employment. The concept in electronic format lends itself to increasing its acceptance and usage potential. However, a paper format should also be retained.
The framework concept consists of five individual documents:
- EUROPASS curriculum vitae
- EUROPASS certificate supplement (for vocational training)
- EUROPASS mobility (to date: Europass vocational training)
- EUROPASS diploma supplement (for colleges)
- EUROPASS language portfolio
2. Basic principles
The EUROPASS framework concept is designed above all to increase opportunities for gaining international experience, for example for pupils, trainees and employees, and for cross-border initial and continuing vocational education and training and employment. The organisation, use and application of the concept must be oriented to the changing needs of employers and employees, and the employment opportunities which arise as a result. Since the EUROPASS is of interest to both employees and companies, a marketable format, which promotes acceptance and usage potential, should form the centrepiece of the scheme. Information from business world and from trade unions which is acquired following the practical introduction and application of the EUROPASS should be taken into account at both a national and a European level, in order to maintain the overall transparency in a way which is tailored to suit the needs of the market and users. The principle of voluntary action should apply to all participants. However, the use of the new EUROPASS documents, together with their introduction, should be accessible and available to all participants in initial and continuing vocational education and training.
The main general aim is to improve the transparency of the qualifications and skills gained in participants' own countries, and in other European countries. This will support and facilitate geographical and professional mobility. During a test phase of a fixed-term duration, an evaluation will be made as to whether the EUROPASS promotes the stated aims, and to what extent. The Steering Committee recommends that all participants cooperate in this activity in order to support and promote the introduction through appropriate accompanying measures. The new EUROPASS is designed to provide evidence of individual qualification and skills profiles beyond formal certificates of professional aptitude. This can be of benefit to both employees as a result of broader employment opportunities as well as to companies and the European employment markets as a whole. However, the EUROPASS is not a tool for harmonising qualification profiles or recognising informally acquired skills on a general basis. The broad use of the new EUROPASS requires accompanying measures: both accurate and widely distributed information and concrete pledges of support for employees, training providers, companies, and in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises, will be decisive in determining the degree to which the EUROPASS is accepted. Here, the responsibility is borne by the EU Commission, the federal government and other active vocational training bodies. The Steering Committee recommends that all participants commit themselves to the broad use of the scheme as far as is feasibly possible, and within their areas of responsibility, in order to increase the attractiveness of initial and continuing vocational education and training.
A national EUROPASS Centre (NEC) for information and advice could function as a central focal point. The Steering Committee recommends that the federal government secures its funding, and requests from the federal government that it puts pressure on the European Commission to extend its contribution to the funding beyond the development phase, which runs until 2005. The role of the NEC is to cooperate with other networks, in order to guarantee full and comprehensive information and advice services. At a national level, the current items of expenditure for the EUROPASS vocational training should be maintained. Information and advice services provided by the social partners should be promoted when the EUROPASS is launched.
The Steering Committee welcomes the fact that the Europass is designed above all for use within the European Union. In addition, certificates from non-EU member states should also be accepted.
3. Specific recommendations
The certificate supplement is of central importance for vocational education. The supplement is not intended as a personal document. The Steering Committee requests that the social partners play a decisive role in the drawing up of certificate supplements. A working group should quickly be established by the federal government, businesses and trade unions in order to incorporate the final certificates from initial education and training under the dual system and continuing vocational education and training which is subject to the same regulations across Germany, into the certificate supplement framework. The Steering Committee recommends that the federal states and the bodies responsible produce certificate supplements in accordance with their area of responsibility. A database should be established.
Prior to the implementation of qualification phases in other countries, the Steering Committee recommends that clear agreements are made between those institutions participating in these phases and those institutions accepting them, in order to ensure the high quality of the periods of time spent abroad. The EU model and criteria should be applied for this purpose. As a guide, the agreement from the Leonardo mobility programme may be of use. Furthermore, these materials should also be available from the NEC. The participation of the NEC is also necessary in order to gain an overview of the quantity and quality of the measures taken, and to acquire data for evaluation purposes.
4. Prospects
Following the recommendation of the EU Commission, the creation of the EUROPASS represents a new, important tool to promote professional mobility in Europe. In order to increase the chances of the improved mobility in Europe intended by the scheme becoming a reality, the new EUROPASS should in future be made available to all participants in initial and continuing vocational education and training.
The new EUROPASS creates further potential for employees to gain international qualifications. The improved employment opportunities which result can therefore contribute to the Lisbon strategy, which is designed to foster increased competitiveness and better work options, integrated within a wider social framework."
