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Section 3: EU Policy Developments

Developing a common language bridging the Under the possible future modernisation of the
world of education/training and the world of work Professional Qualifications Directive, a project aims
at facilitating the free movement of professionals in
The aim of the European Classification on Skills, the EU through the launch of the European Profes-
Competences, Qualifications and Occupations sional Card. The card should simplify the admin-
(ESCO) is to create a multi-lingual taxonomy to istrative procedures for recognition, make it more
complement and link national taxonomies, in order transparent for citizens, and increase trust among the
to promote Europe-wide interoperability. The con- competent authorities of EU member-states.
tent of guidance will be extended from occupations In the framework of the Directive’s modernisation
to a more detailed picture of the underlying skills process, there is a need to foresee guidance provision,
and competences. including to employers, on how foreign qualifica-
tions can be ‘translated’ into national systems.
Implementation of common European tools
Validation of informal/non-formal learning
The network on Quality Assurance in Lifelong
Learning with a Focus on VET and Adult Education See Section 3.5 on adult learning.
(QALLL) is contributing to EQAVET implementation
and adult education action plans in which guidance 3.3.2 Involvement of ELGPN
has a role to play.
A report on the implementation of European Qual- ELGPN has not been formally consulted on the doc-
ity Assurance in Vocational Education and Training uments outlined above.
(EQAVET) in the member-states will be published The role of guidance is essential to make VET
by the Commission in 2013, and a conference on attractive to young people. The Eurobarometer
EQAVET projects will be organised. results call for better information and counselling
In 2014 the Commission will produce a report on regarding VET pathways, and enhanced co-operation
the implementation of the European Credit System between lifelong guidance services and VET systems.
Policy
for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) in The ELGPN outcomes should feed into the Vadem-
the member-states. A stocktaking conference will be ecum/Policy Handbook on Work-Based Learning
organised. (WBL), the quality framework for traineeship (EMPL
and EAC), and the QALLL network mentioned above.
Modernisation of the Professional Qualifications All of these should include a guidance dimension.
Directive
3.3.3 Next steps
The Public Consultation on the Recognition of the
Professional Qualifications Directive was aimed at Lifelong guidance is essential to promote the attrac-
gathering stakeholders’ views on the modernisation tiveness of VET, learning mobility (including the
of the Directive. Adopted in 2005 (2005/36/EC), the recognition of learning outcomes), and co-operation
Directive sets the rules for mutual recognition of with the business sector.
professional qualifications between member-states. The future work of ELGPN should take these
Alongside a few innovations, it mainly consolidated themes into account and should include reflections
and simplified 15 previous Directives, some dating on:
back to the 1960s.

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