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Cedefop looks into selected sectors of the economy to identify new and emerging skill needs. Sectoral workshops are organised regularly to discuss the current situation and the development potential of a particular sector focusing on future skill requirements. A background study, if available, workshop proceedings and a Skillsnet ‘sector flash’ are published by Cedefop after each sectoral workshop highlighting the main trends, developments and skill needs in the sector. More...

In this project Cedefop monitors and analyses progress towards achieving targets in vocational education and training that have been agreed within the Copenhagen process of enhanced European cooperation. Cedefop’s reports, 'Trends in VET policy in Europe 2010-2012: Progress towards the Bruges Communiqué' and 'Stronger VET for better lives Cedefop’s monitoring report on vocational education and training policies 2010-14' show how these short-term actions have been implemented in EU Member States and candidate countries. More...

Quality assurance in VET is a key priority at EU level to promote increased transparency of VET policy developments between Member States, thereby enhancing mutual trust, mobility of workers and learners, and lifelong learning. In cooperation with the European Commission, Cedefop supports the implementation of the EQARF Recommendation at EU, national and sectoral level.Quality assurance in VET is a key priority at EU level to promote increased transparency of VET policy developments between Member States, thereby enhancing mutual trust, mobility of workers and learners, and lifelong learning. In cooperation with the European Commission, Cedefop supports the implementation of the EQARF Recommendation at EU, national and sectoral level. More...

Frameworks help to make qualifications easier to understand and compare. They can also encourage countries to rethink and reform national policy and practice on education, training and lifelong learning. More...

Lifelong guidance aims to provide career development support for individuals of all ages, at all career stages. It includes activities such as careers information, advice, counselling, assessment of skills and mentoring. Quality guidance services should be available to all individuals, regardless of their employment situation and independently of their socioeconomic status, ethnicity or gender. Cedefop’s lifelong guidance project develops research and knowledge exchange for the improvement of guidance and counselling across the European Union. Cedefop cooperates with the European Commission and the Member States via the European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network (ELGPN). More...

Through a number of comparative studies and analysis, Cedefop aims at deepening the understanding of qualifications in Europe. All studies and analysis take into account the shift to learning outcomes and reflect the key elements in the definition of qualifications, for example educational and occupational standards, validation, curriculum development, assessment and the processes involved in awarding and recognising qualifications. The studies’ outcomes feed directly and support systematically policy developments at EU, national and sectoral level. More...

Cedefop skill supply and demand forecasts provide comprehensive information on the future labour market trends in Europe. The forecasts act as an early warning mechanism to help to alleviate potential labour market imbalances and support different labour market actors in making informed decisions. More...

The objective of this project is to monitor Member States’ strategies and mechanisms for financing vocational education and training (VET) and to investigate their effectiveness and efficiency. This site provides up to date information on levels of investment in VET and on recent developments in VET funding systems and instruments. The analysis focuses on approaches to cofinancing, looking at the roles of the different stakeholders in sharing costs and responsibilities in VET. More...

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...