Mutual recognition

It is not evident to create a certificate on European or international level, certification is a national or regional authority. Therefore we use the principle of mutual recognition. Our member assessment centres use the same occupational standards and quality procedures. They safeguard collectively the quality of assessment.  In this way they can be sure that a certificate delivered by one of them has the same value as their own. They validate the certificates as a consortium, ensuring validity in all countries that have an ETTEC assessment.

The common certificates are based on 3 principles, developed in the TALQ project:

Transparency

If a certificate needs to be accepted by different countries, it must be clear  what  it  exactly  means,  also  in  order  to  reach  a  mutual  understanding.  To  be  able  to  write  an understandable certificate, a common language is needed too.

We use ESCO, enriched by a sectoral layer, as a common language to describe the certificates. By doing so the certificates fit all national competence systems and are understandable by all stakeholders.

Trust

A certificate is only as valid as the trust the sector gives it. This means assuring that the person holding the certificate is able to perform, that he masters  the  competences  described  in  the  certification.  This  trust  can  be  reached  by  a  profound  quality assurance of the assessment.

We developed a strong quality system with checks and balances to ensure that the candidate is equally treated, assessors can work independently and that assessment centres can be sure of each other’s quality standards.

Freedom

The importance of cultural differences, reflected in different teaching and training  methods,  traditions  and  variations  in  occupations,  is  still  an essential starting point for  the  EU  policies. A, international certificate needs to leave enough freedom to adapt to the different education systems  and  traditions.

We ensure the freedom of the different countries and regions by focusing solely on the assessment for a certification. We do not interfere with the way individuals are trained or taught.