www.ecvet-team.eu

ECVET development
evaluated by certified assessors. Each
step is valid separately or in combination
according to requirements.
The training centre of competent institution
in the region where the project
operates (Chamber of Industry and
Commerce Training Centre Cottbus) is
already familiar with and uses the test
platform in other contexts. Therefore,
there is a high amount of trust among
the partners that can be built on. The
Training Centre supports the project
in finding ways to
use the test results
as a precondition
for validation and
recognition within
the boundaries set
by the official German
training regulations.
For instance,
the assessment of
whether a person has acquired the necessary
learning outcomes could serve
as a proof that the person is ready to
take the official final exam. However,
it is important to note that the assessment
cannot replace the final exam.
The ESyCQ approach
to the recognition
and transfer of learning
outcomes
Following the German Vocational Training
Act, a profession in Germany is
seen and evaluated as an overall decision-making
competence of a qualification.
So far, the law does not foresee
an accumulation or transfer of training
units to the overall qualification. A final
qualification is only issued if the person
has passed a final exam.
“ The project aims at
developing a procedure
of formally recognising
the units of learning
outcomes which have
been assessed using
the CEMES-platform ”
However, the German Vocational Training
Act 1 allows for the recognition of
previously completed training for the
current period of training. Federal governments
may decide that a training
course completed at another institution
may be recognised partially or fully, thus
reducing the current period of training.
The competent authority – for these
qualifications it is the Chamber of Industry
and Commerce – can grant this
recognition. Trainee and training institutions
are required to submit a joint application
- which may
refer to the highest
possible period of
recognition.
ESyCQ will research
the practical application
of this regulation
in its home
region, the land
of Brandenburg.
Its aim is to elaborate a respective recommendation,
also considering the
regulations in other German ‘Laender’.
Hence, the project aims at developing
a procedure of formally recognising the
units of learning outcomes which have
been assessed using the CEMES-platform.
Next steps
In the field of I-VET in Germany, no formal
qualification below the level of a
two- or three-year training is currently
possible; and the concept of holistic
vocations does not yet allow for the
transfer and accumulation of units of
learning outcomes.
However, ESyCQ currently discusses
whether it would be possible to utilise
(1) German Vocational Training Act, Section 7: Recognition of previous training to the current period of training
34 ECVET magazine n°12 / December 2012
the results of the assessment as a basis
for a ‘formative’ recognition (shortening
the training period) or as a statement
on what leaning outcomes have been
acquired through non-formal or informal
learning – laid down in a learner’s
personal transcript.
Beyond that, the project has set up
cooperation with the local competent
institution, the Chamber of Commerce
(IHK Cottbus). It is currently discussed
whether the Chamber is ready to validate
the passing of the exam and recognise
it as preparation to the official
(final) exam. This would allow for a categorisation
of the professional experience
and competence of the learner.
The project aims to promote the
methods developed and communicate
its benefits; hence, the benefits of
ECVET-procedures for the recognition
of prior learning in different learning
contexts. Furthermore, the project will
issue a recommendation for the development
of a common internet-based
platform (based on the CEMES model)
that can be used by all European project
partners.
More info:
Katrin Jäser
IBS-CEMES Institut GmbH
e-mail: jaeser@bildung-ibs.de
Website: http://ecvet-professional.eu/