European qualifications framework for lifelong learning

• Financing of the system in a sustainable and optimal way;
• Regulating the market to better identify skills needs and ensure the flexibility of the range of professional training and qualifications to address new economic and social challenges;
• Improving the performance, transparency and cooperation between the various players.

To fulfill these missions, the institution issues recommendations and reports any problems in order to enhance the quality of services provided to users.

“Organisation and financing”

The institution organises and finances a device called “CEP” – professional development advice – a process of support, discussion and advice available to any employee seeking to develop their career. The system is free and accessible to all employees, regardless of age, business sector, status or qualifications. It contributes to developing skills, increasing capabilities and providing access to new qualifications.

“Regulation”

The institution regulates costs and distributes funds for vocational training between the various CVET and IVET players. It is able to issue recommendations on access to training, costs and funding rules and collects information from training providers while communicating with all industries and social partners. It is also financing the personal training account – CPF.

To promote high-quality lifelong learning, it is in charge of the quality assurance in VET and has the responsibility to register qualifications which are meaningful for the labour market (qualifications with a level of National qualification framework, and other important qualifications for the labour market).

“Dialogue”

The institution also contributes to the public debate on vocational training and assesses VET policies. It provides an exchange forum for dialogue and conducts studies, while maintaining an ongoing relationship with industries, social partners and public decision makers.

France compétences has a Board of Directors, elected for three years, which has three specialist committees to analyse, review and provide expertise in their respective fields: the Audit and Finance Committee, the Assessment and Evaluation Committee and the Recommendations Committee.

The Professional Qualifications Committee, created by the decree of 18 December 2018, has a special status. Its members are appointed by the French Labour Minister, guaranteeing its independence in the performance of its duties. It is particularly responsible for the two national reference frameworks: the RNCP (French National Framework of Professional Qualifications) and the RS (Specific Reference Framework).

The French national framework for professional qualifications (RNCP) has eight levels like the EQF.

The RNCP is the national database in which professional qualifications are classified. The RS, meanwhile, contains a range of professional skills complementary to professional qualifications.

To ensure that qualifications are relevant and up to date, France compétences identifies emerging and changing professions and incorporates new professional skills associated with those professions into the RNCP or RS. This system enables employers and European citizens to compare French qualifications to those managed by the other EU Member States.

Designated as an NCP (National Coordination Point) for implementation of the EQF, France compétences is an active partner in the Europass set up by the European Commission on 1 July 2020. An automatic edition of the supplement to the Europass certificate is accessible from the RNCP.

France compétences is one of the main organisations responsible for ensuring the quality of the training and apprenticeship system.

The law of the 5^th September 2018 sets out the new national quality standard aimed to provide more harmonisation and transparency. This is a new basis for all VET providers. France compétences has been appointed as a national reference point for EQAVET.