11th of June – EfVET attended European Training Foundation (ETF)’s Webinar themed “Recognizing Vocational Qualifications Confirmation”, focused on sharing the results and recommendations of a new study regarding international recognition of vocational qualifications between EU and non-EU countries, which addresses recognition processes, tools, system and data needs. 

Michael Graham, Strategic Project Leader of ETF, opened the webinar welcoming the participants, while Karen Adams, alongside the ERPD Research Team, shared the study ‘Qualification data needs to support recognition of non-EU country vocational qualifications.’, focused on international skills mobility, increasing skills need and shortage in EU countries and the EU Commission Skills & Talent Mobility Package. 

The research findings were grouped under 4 areas: the recognition landscape within the EU countries, the vocational qualifications landscape in the non-EU countries, the impact of the validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNFIL) on recognition and the issues related to skills mobility and the S&TMP. 

Despite the limited scope of the study, it provided valuable insights for VET qualifications recognition, allowing us to identify key challenges and enablers. It supports Cedefop’s work on updated guidelines, and it identified 8 key recommendations: 

1. Investigate the potential of automatic recognition agreements for VET qualifications in specific sectors 
2. Consider developing a Guide to the Recognition of Vocational Qualifications in the EU 
3. Consider using the 15 information categories of the study to inform database development. 
4. Consider developing guidance for VET bodies in non-EU countries to help them enhance recognition of their qualifications by EU CRAs 
5. Provide support for CRA networks, for example through updates on VET developments in non-EU countries. 
6. Consider how systems might be encouraged to record vocational qualifications. 
7. Consider how best to ensure appropriate alignment between developments in VNFIL and in the recognition of vocational qualifications. 
8. Develop a strong communication strategy to ensure that the resources identified by this research reach a wider audience. 

EfVET’s participation in the webinar reinforces our commitment to advance in the recognition of vocational qualifications. We thank ETF for the invitation, and we hope to keep collaborating in the future!