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The importance of transparency and mutual recognition of diplomas as
a crucial complement to the free movement of workers
The possibility of obtaining recognition of one’s qualifications and
competences can play a vital role in the decision to take up work in another EU
country. It is therefore necessary to develop a European system that will
guarantee the mutual acceptance of professional competences in different Member
States. Only such a system will ensure that a lack of recognition of
professional qualifications will become an obstacle to workers’ mobility
within the EU.
Main principles for the recognition of professional qualifications
in the EU
As a basic principle, any EU citizen should be able to freely practice their
profession in any Member State. Unfortunately the practical implementation of
this principle is often hindered by national requirements for access to certain
professions in the host country.
For the purpose of overcoming these differences, the EU has set up a system
for the recognition of professional qualifications. Within the terms of this
system, a distinction is made between regulated professions (professions for
which certain qualifications are legally required) and professions that are not
legally regulated in the host Member State.
Steps towards a transparency of qualifications in Europe
The European Union has taken important steps towards the objective of
achieving transparency of qualifications in Europe:
- An increased co-operation in vocational education and training, with the
intention to combine all instruments for transparency of certificates and
diplomas, in one single, user-friendly tool. This includes, for
example, the European CV or Europass Trainings
- The development of concrete actions in the field of recognition and
quality in vocational education and training
Going beyond the differences in education and training systems
throughout the EU
Education and training systems in the EU Member States still show substantial
differences. The last enlargements of the EU, with different educational
traditions, have further increased this diversity. This calls for a need to set
up common rules to guarantee recognition of competences.
In order to overcome this diversity of national qualification standards,
educational methods and training structures, the European Commission has put
forward a series of instruments, aimed at ensuring better
transparency and recognition of qualifications both for academic and
professional purposes.
The European Qualifications Framework
The European Qualifications Framework is a key priority for the European
Commission in the process of recognition of professional competences. The main
objective of the framework is to create links between the different national
qualification systems and guarantee a smooth transfer and recognition of
diplomas.
The National Academic Recognition Information Centres (NARICs)
A network of National Academic Recognition Information Centres was
established in 1984 at the initiative of the European Commission. The NARICs
provide advice on the academic recognition of periods of study abroad. Located
in all EU Member States as well as in the countries of the European Economic
Area, NARICs play a vital role the process of recognition of qualifications in
the EU.
The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
The European Credit Transfer System aims at facilitating the
recognition of periods of study abroad. Introduced in 1989, it functions by
describing an education programme and attaching credits to its components. It is
a key complement to the highly acclaimed student mobility programme Erasmus.
Europass
Europass is an instrument for ensuring the transparency of professional
skills. It is composed of five standardised documents
- a CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- a language passport
- certificate supplements
- diploma supplements
- a Europass-Mobility document
The Europass system makes skills and qualifications clearly and easily
understood in the different parts of Europe. In every country of the European
Union and the European Economic Area, national Europass centres have been
established as the primary contact points for people seeking for information
about the Europass system.
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 2007-2009
Reproduction is authorised.
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