Bridging borders through data, for a more competitive Europe

Cedefop’s online tool dedicated to National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF) has proven a reliable, up-to-date and readily accessible source of information on qualification systems across EU and EEA countries for the past 8 years.

New in this latest version is the updated data on 8 EU neighbouring countries where the European Training Foundation works, which are candidates for EU accession. Further, the tool includes for the first time information on the NQFs of Moldova and Georgia. This novelty offers an inventory, providing a panoramic view of qualification systems across 41 countries, both within the EU and beyond its borders.

A pillar for EU strategic priorities

The update also reflects the EU’s ambition to build a Union of Skills designed to boost European competitiveness and strategic autonomy. The tool provides in-depth information on each country, enabling direct country-to-country comparison in relation to the key attributes of each qualification system. Categories include qualification types, governance arrangements and more.  

To this end, Cedefop’s NQF tool provides data that can support:

• Transparency and trust: this makes information about qualifications – including the growing ecosystem of microcredentials – easily available.
• Increased permeability: this facilitates smoother transitions between different levels and types of education and training.
• Lifelong learning: this empowers individuals to build learning pathways and continually enhance their skills throughout their careers.
• International recognition: this simplifies the recognition of non-EU qualifications, which is essential for integrating international talent into the European labour market.

Unlocking talent and mobility in the neighbourhood

By incorporating data on ten EU candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine), direct comparison between their systems and those of EU countries can be made. 

“By making qualification systems more transparent and comparable across the EU and beyond, the updated NQF tool contributes to strengthening trust, mobility and integration. Ultimately, it is one step further towards a cohesive single European learning area”, said Cedefop Executive Director, Jürgen Siebel.

Insights from the field: trends and obstacles in the ten candidate countries 

The data available on these countries reflects a region in transition. While partner countries are making significant strides in modernising their VET systems, challenges remain. 

 “When qualifications frameworks really start bringing clarity and transparency, you see the difference straight away. We can already see that in the countries where implementation is furthest ahead. It becomes easier for people across the EU neighbourhood to access jobs and learning opportunities across Europe. Moldova has now joined six of the ten candidate countries that have aligned their national qualifications frameworks with the European Qualifications Framework, and we warmly congratulate them on this important achievement”, said ETF Director, Pilvi Torsti.

Already fully integrated into the EQF process, the NQF tool makes data on multiple countries’ qualification systems accessible, supporting their alignment with EU education and training systems and policies—an especially vital function for frontline states such as Moldova and Ukraine, both facing existential threats. It also demonstrates the value of shareable data as a significant resource for researchers analysing education and training systems and for policymakers designing more inclusive VET systems.

With this update, EU and partner countries can compare certificates and diplomas, while Cedefop contributes to building the infrastructure for increasing learner and worker mobility.