The ECVET reflector study

Mobility is essential not only in promoting the economic and social integration of Europe, but also in intensifying European exchanges of experience and bringing forward European citizenship. The European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) takes up at this very point and aims at facilitating the mobility of learners in initial vocational education and training by facilitating recognition and transfer of learning outcomes acquired abroad in(to) a learner’s home country. ECVET is a system catering for accumulation and transfer of credits in initial and continuing vocational education and training. It includes documentation of learning outcomes achieved abroad and forms of agreements between national and European VET stakeholders .

The ECVET reflector study was carried on behalf of the European Commission between December 2005 and February 2007, shortly before the ECVET consultation phase. It is embedded in the general objectives of the European Commission and Parliament on enhancing mobility of apprentices (both young people and adults) within VET.

The study mandate was to analyse the relationships between the characteristics of the European credit system for vocational education and training (ECVET), as proposed by the European Commission in its consultation document, and the existing regulations and practices of assessment, validation and certification as well as accumulation and transfer of learning outcomes in the national VET and qualification systems in Europe. The aims of the study include:

Formulating qualified proposals as to how to design ECVET for possible subsequent implementation throughout Europe in accordance with national and regional rules and regulations;
Identifying possible needs for support during ECVET implementation and application;
Formulating recommendations for further actions at VET stakeholder levels in national and regional contexts.

The reflector study evaluates both the status quo and the dynamics revealed by VET and qualification systems (which in many countries are indeed considerable) to identify both synergy effects and obstacles which may occur while introducing ECVET.