The Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) of 2009 recommends EU Member States to apply the ECVET principles, but underlines that their implementation is voluntary and at the discretion of individual countries. The Recommendation calls on Member States to promote ECVET, adopt appropriate measures to facilitate the implementation of ECVET principles, but also support the development of cooperation networks involving people, institutions and entities that deal with vocational training, qualifications, etc. on a daily basis.
| Recommendations to the Member States in the field of ECVET implementation |
| In line with the ECVET Recommendation, it is recommended that Member States:
1) promote the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (…); 2) create the necessary conditions and, where appropriate, take appropriate measures so that (…) the gradual application of ECVET for VET qualifications at all EQF levels, and used for the transfer, recognition and accumulation of individual learning outcomes obtained in the formal context and, where appropriate, in the non-formal and informal context; 3) support the development of national and European partnerships and networks bringing together institutions and bodies responsible for qualifications and diplomas, VET providers, social partners and other stakeholders active in testing, implementing and promoting the ECVET system; 4) ensure access to information and guidance on the application of ECVET to stakeholders and individuals in the field of VET (…); 5) comply with the common principles for VET quality assurance when using ECVET (…), in accordance with national legislation and practice; 6) ensure the functioning of coordination and monitoring mechanisms at the appropriate levels, in accordance with the legislation, structures and requirements of individual Member States, to ensure the quality, transparency and consistency of initiatives to implement ECVET “ |
| Source: Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) of 2009 (2009 / C 155/02). |
In order to support the Member States in achieving these goals, the ECVET Users’ Group was established at the European level, i.e. an international advisory body – to which countries submit their representatives – operating at the European Commission. Its task is to support the Commission in the preparation of new initiatives and legislative proposals, as well as to coordinate the exchange of information and experiences between EU countries in the field of ECVET. These activities were organisationally supported by the ECVET Secretariat.
The Recommendation does not specify how Member States are to implement the above-mentioned works. However, in each country a Team of ECVET Experts has been established – all teams promote the system and support its users in the country.
The Polish Team of ECVET Experts was established in 2012 under an agreement signed between the Foundation for the Development of the Education System and the European Commission. The Team was then composed of 9 Experts nominated by the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The project was implemented until the end of March 2014, and its main objectives were: promotion of the ECVET system and implementation of activities indicated in the ECVET Recommendation of 2009.
Since April 2014, the activities of the ECVET Team of Experts are included in the Erasmus + Work Plan, and the Team was composed of 14 experts, including 7 from the Ministry of National Education and 7 from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
The main tasks of the Experts include:
- continuation and dissemination of the results of the work carried out in 2012-2014,
- popularizing information on ECVET,
- supporting national authorities in the further development of the ECVET system in Poland,
- supporting the implementers of professional mobility projects,
- promoting the ECVET system among employers.
Members of the Polish Team of ECVET Experts actively disseminate information on the ECVET system and other European tools developed under the Copenhagen process. They do it by appearing at conferences, meetings, participating in seminars, and conducting workshops. Every year, they prepare many articles, presentations and substantive materials. Experts are happy to advise Erasmus + beneficiaries and other interested institutions in the field of education, training and education on the use of the opportunities offered by Erasmus + in the context of the ECVET system. They also promote the idea of mobility and related opportunities in the context of the ECVET system. At national level, they actively participate in dialogue and exchange of experiences between policy-makers, experts, VET practitioners and employers on issues related to transparency, recognition of qualifications and competences and validation. They support the national authorities in the further development of the ECVET system in Poland. Polish ECVET Experts often take part in international events, promoting Polish solutions, taking part in developing the ECVET concept and exchanging experiences and information.
The Polish Team of ECVET Experts has been coordinating and supporting FRSE for years. During the work of the team of experts, over the years, Izabela Laskowska, Lechosław Szafranek, Aleksandra Bałchan-Wiśniewska and others were responsible for coordinating and supporting the team’s work.
