Decision 2018/646 - Common framework for the provision of better services for skills and qualifications (Europass) - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 112/42

Individuals, when looking for a job, or making decisions on learning, studying or working, need access to information and guidance on what opportunities are available, on how to assess their skills and on ways to present information about their skills and qualifications.

Differences in definitions, document formats, languages as well as assessment and validation methods all pose considerable challenges for individuals, employers, competent authorities and bodies. Those challenges arise mainly when individuals move between countries, including third countries, but also when they are looking for a new job or engaging in learning and career management. Clear and widely disseminated information, a shared understanding and improved transparency of skills and qualifications are important in order to address those challenges.

The New Skills Agenda for Europe, adopted by the Commission on 10 June 2016, invites Member States, social partners, industry and other stakeholders to work together on ten actions to improve the quality and relevance of skills formation, to make skills more visible and comparable and to improve skills intelligence and especially information for better career choices. A revision of the Europass framework was proposed as one of the ten actions that offer a key route to achieving and supporting those objectives.

Decision No 2241/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) established a framework to address the challenges relating to job seeking, engaging in learning and career management. The aim of that Decision was to achieve better transparency of qualifications and competences through a portfolio of documents known as ‘Europass’, which individuals can use on a voluntary basis. That Decision also established national bodies, known as National Europass Centres, in order to implement the Europass framework.

To achieve its main objective, the Europass framework focuses on tools for the documentation of skills and qualifications. Those tools have become widely used through the Europass internet-based information system.

The National Europass Centres provide support to users and promote the documentation of skills and qualifications. The Euroguidance Network, which promotes the European dimension in guidance and provides high quality information on lifelong guidance and transnational mobility for learning purposes, has also contributed to the development of information provision regarding Union tools for skills and qualifications. The European Qualifications Framework National Coordination Points support national authorities in referencing national qualifications frameworks or systems to the European Qualifications Framework (‘EQF’) and focus on bringing the EQF closer to individuals and organisations. Support for, and greater coordination of, those national services should be ensured in order to enhance their impact while respecting the diversity of national...