EESC opinion: ECVET

Key points

The proposal for a recommendation puts forward a common European certification system to facilitate the transferability and recognition of qualifications, thereby promoting worker mobility.

The Committee approved this proposal for a Recommendation on condition that the transferability and validation of formal and informal qualifications was consolidated, with particular attention being paid to the quality of certification; that the recognition of qualifications between Member States was improved; that there was no discrimination between those receiving certificates or those issuing them and that a common system was set up which took account of best practice and the best legislation in force in order to make them interoperable for the benefit of worker mobility and business competitiveness through lifelong learning and vocational training.

It will be up to the Commission to establish clear criteria for ensuring relevance, transparency, comparability, and mutual trust among partners.

We should strengthen measures promoting greater transparency and arrive at a proper understanding of the different steps involved in introducing diplomas or certificates in 2012.

The ECVET system does not replace the other policies in force within the European Union, and in particular Directive 2005/36/EC concerning migrant workers. But on the other hand, it does not strengthen the links needed with existing European programmes.

The ECVET system, which sets up a permanent process, requires a lasting commitment by all the players and a synergy between initiatives adapted to European, national or sectoral levels.