ECVET - Application to mobility projects

EUROPASS: a tool designed to valorise the qualifications and the competences acquired in mobility periods

why
To facilitate the mobility of the European citizens throughout Europe it is necessary to create a European area of qualifications aiming at improving the transparency of and transferability of diplomas and qualifications. Therefore the decision to establish a single Community framework. By 2010 more than 3 millions of citizens will need the recognition of their qualifications and competences throughout Europe; a further action is to introduce common instruments supporting and facilitating the readability of certificates by the training bodies in the Member States

what
The Framework aims to help people make their skills and qualifications clearly and easily understood in Europe, thus facilitating the mobility of both learners and workers. The EUROPASS documents have been designed in such a way as to help people chronicle their skills and competences in a coherent manner, whether they are planning to enrol in an education or training programme, looking for a job, or getting experience abroad.
EUROPASS consists of a portfolio of five documents as follows: the Curriculum vitae, EUROPASS mobility, Language Portfolio, Diploma Supplement and Certificate Supplement.

Who
EUROPASS has a number of benefits for
- citizens
- companies
- institutions
- training bodies.

Where
EUROPASS documents have specific features and application
- Curriculum Vitae contains all the information related to qualifications, certified competences work experience, but it also describes capacities and fields of experience/competence not certified
- EUROPASS Mobility reports any period/type of professional training realized in a country different from one's own.
- Language Portfolio contains "language learning and other cultural experiences/competences in the intercultural perspective
- Diploma Supplement is a document annexed to the post secondary education diploma (degree course)
- Certificate Supplement is an evaluation integrative document compared to traditional certifications (diploma, training certificates), in particular the vocational education and training.

How
EUROPASS framework will be based on the voluntary participation of the Member States that set up the modalities and identify the body responsible for the issuing of the certification at national level.

Political mandate
The framework was adopted on the 1 January 2000 according to the Council Decision of 21 December 1998. The joint effort of the Member States and European institutions has enabled the definition and implementation of a single Community framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (EUROPASS) - Decision No. 2241/2004/EC.