The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is a common European reference framework. It acts as a translation grid which links countries' qualifications systems/frameworks. It covers qualifications at all levels and in all sub-systems of education and training (general and adult education, vocational education and training as well as higher education). Its main role is to make qualifications more readable and understandable across different countries and systems. In close cooperation with the European Commission, Cedefop provides analytical and coordination support for the implementation of the EQF and carries out a number of comparative studies and analysis on issues related to the implementation of the framework at EU, national and sectoral level.

European Qualifications Framework - a bridge between national qualifications systems - details
The core of the EQF is its eight reference levels defined in terms of learning outcomes, i.e. knowledge, skills and competence. Learning outcomes express what individuals should know, understand and be able to do at the end of a learning process. Countries develop national qualifications frameworks (NQF) to implement the EQF.

Why the EQF is important
Its main role is to make qualifications more readable and understandable across different countries and systems. This is important to support cross-border mobility of learners and workers and lifelong learning across Europe. In the 'Compare qualifications frameworks' page it is possible to see how national qualifications levels of countries that have already finalised their referencing process have been linked to the EQF. More...

Europass is a portfolio of five documents, designed to make skills and qualifications clearly and easily understood across Europe. More...

The Skills Panorama is a central access point for data, information and intelligence on skill needs in occupations and sectors that provides a European perspective on trends in skill supply and demand and possible skill mismatches, while also giving access to national data and sources. More...

This Cedefop’s initiative explores the potential of employers’ survey as a tool to identify skill needs and skill gaps at workplace level. The aim is to develop a tool or instrument to reliably identify future needs of skills, competences, occupations and qualifications in public and private enterprises in Europe as input for broader skill needs analyses. More...

The European credit system for vocational education and training (ECVET) helps individuals who are trying to acquire a VET qualification to move between countries and gain access to lifelong learning. It does so by making it easier to transfer, to have recognised and to accumulate assessed learning outcomes. In cooperation with the European Commission, Cedefop provides technical and analytical support for the implementation of the ECVET Recommendation at the EU, national and sectoral levels. More...

Cedefop undertakes research on the role of VET in reducing early leaving from education and training. More...

The project aims to analyse systematically VET’s relative position in national education and training systems. Data point to a gradual weakening of VET in many European countries and the project will, drawing on quantitative as well as qualitative data, contribute to a better understanding of the challenges facing not only VET but also education and training systems overall. More...

Changing labour market conditions affect individuals’ life courses. More and more people have to face career interruptions and changes, especially during an economic crisis. Coping with instability and insecurity in life as well as with career and life changes requires specific adaptability skills as well as lifelong learning. Public policy works towards shortening unemployment spells and reduce the risk of dead-end careers, floundering periods and burn-outs. Therefore lifelong learning and effective career guidance must be supported. This project line focuses on understanding better how individuals experience career transitions to develop effective policies – in particular for adult learning and career guidance - that can support citizens and prepare them for long and successful careers. More...

Understanding the contribution of VET to individuals’ career, employability and social inclusion as well as its impact on economic growth and productivity is important for assessing investment in VET compared to other types of education or learning. Demonstrating economic and social returns to training may also inform and guide enterprise and individual investment in training. More...

Empowering young people by expanding and improving apprenticeships. Young people have been hit particularly hard by the crisis. Apprenticeships and other work-based training schemes help young people make smoother transitions from school to employment. To help increase provision and quality of apprenticeships and to change mind-sets towards apprenticeship-type learning, Cedefop supports network building among countries, reports on development of national apprenticeship schemes and researches governance and financing of apprenticeships. More...