Highlight the competences – ECVET in the Services Sector

From 2007 to 2009 the Italian organization “Aris Formazione e Ricerca Società Cooperativa”, a training and research agency of LEGACOOP Umbria, coordinated the project “Highlight the competences”, which aimed at the organization and realization of the four steps of the ECVET process within the field of the cleaning and logistics services.

For this purpose several products have been developed:

• A set of standards for the professional profile of “Site Supervisor in the Cleaning Services” and definition of “areas of certification”
• Memorandum of Understanding (including guidelines)
• Learning Agreement.

The definition of vocational profiles, key activities, activities, tasks and units of learning outcomes was the first step of the development of the professional profile of the “Site Supervisor in the Cleaning Services”. There are 5 main activities connected with 19 tasks and 90 competences. Each task is related to one of the 5 main activities.

As the next steps 7 “areas of certification” with “certification objectives” were defined and ECVET points were allocated.

With the professional profile the transfer, recognition and validation of competences will be facilitated, and it can be used as an instrument for combining and accumulating learning outcomes achieved in different learning contexts.

The target groups of the products comprise competent bodies, employers, recruiters, employees, ministries, agencies, social partners, chambers, non-governmental organisations and providers of vocational training.

Find more information on the project website.

Interesting results and products can be found here.

SME Master Plus – ECVET within the master craftperson qualification

The EU-centralised project ran from 2009 until February 2012 and was coordinated by the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts. It built on the outcomes of the previous project SME MASTER focusing on the qualifications of baker, joiner (cabinetmaker), florist, and hairdresser.

The aim of the project was to test and implement ECVET within the framework of training for master craftspeople thus enhancing the transparency in the context of master craftsperson qualification in skilled crafts and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Among the main results are the ECVET toolboxes which were developed for each of the qualifications. Such a toolbox contains the following components:

• Learning outcome matrix
• Templates for supporting documents (MoU, Learning Agreement, Personal Transcript)
• Mobility checklist.

The ECVET toolboxes shall support training providers and competent institutions

• in the adoption and practical implementation of ECVET
• in facilitating mutual recognition of individually acquired learning achievements
• in increasing the mobility rate of learners
• in strengthening cooperation and international partnership on the basis of mutual trust
• in contributing to the concept of lifelong learning.

The master baker qualification was the first one for which the toolbox has been developed. Its methodology and approach was then transferred to the other sectors. This proofs that the toolbox methodology of the SME MASTER Plus can also be transferred to other VET sectors. The feasibility of the toolboxes has been tested in several mobility exchanges, its feedback being largely positive, especially with regard to the learning outcomes matrices and the MoU.

Find more information on the project website.

Interesting results and products can be found here.

Development of a Vocational Transfer System – VQTS/VQTS II

The projects VQTS and VQTS II were coordinated by 3s, an Austrian research laboratory. In the fields of “Mechanical Engineering” and “Electronics/Electrical Engineering” they aimed at creating a systematic procedure to ensure international transfer of vocational qualifications. The first project developed a model for a structured description of work-related competences, consisting of the Competence Matrix, Competence Profiles and Competence Profile Certificates. It describes competences and their development based on empirical investigations of work-related competences within a specific occupational field. The second project sought to further develop the principles and methods for the design of the Competence Matrix.

The Competence Matrix contains work-related competence descriptions and the progress of competence development and can be used for those purposes where the transparency of competence profiles is very important, f. example for the transfer of vocational competences acquired abroad or for the transfer and recognition of competences acquired within the official VET system as well as for competences achieved through non-formal or formal learning.

It is possible to develop a Competence Matrix for different sectors or occupational fields. For example, the VQTS model has already been transferred among others to the field of tourism (ECVET-Tour: AT) or bakery (SME Master: DE).

Find more information on the project website.

Interesting results and products can be found here.

KO-Transfer – ECVET in the energy-saving construction sector

The KO-Transfer project was coordinated by BGZ, Berlin International Cooperation Agency and lasted from 2008 to 2010. The aim of the project was to improve transparency, comparability and cross-border recognition of construction-related qualifications.

The project activities comprised the development of competence standards (including learning outcome descriptions) and competence matrices for the following professions

• Carpenter
• Energy consultant
• Technical assistant for data processing in construction.

Additionally a first draft for a model certificate was developed. It was designed as a supplement to the actual certificate and includes the respective competence standards, thus providing a documentation of the acquired competences.

The competence matrices display the competence area, the respective competence standards, and the training years. The matrices also include a reference to the respective EQF and NQF level. The learning outcomes descriptions are included in the competence standards, with one separate document for each competence standard. The competence matrices can facilitate the comparison of qualifications from different countries, which might also prove helpful when looking for suitable partners in mobility projects. It can help training providers from different countries to communicate the competence profile of their own training offers in a transparent way, to better understand other providers’ training offers, subsequently identify any similarities/overlapping, and create mutual trust among partners.

Find more information on the project website.

Interesting results and products can be found here.