What is a Common Training Framework (CTF)?
A ‘common training framework’ is a defined common set of minimum knowledge, skills, and competences necessary for the pursuit of a specific profession. The possibility of implementing a CTF is regulated in Article 49a of the Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications.
How is a Common Training Framework implemented?
This does not require a change of the Directive, but can be done by a delegated act of the European Commission that lists the national professional qualifications and national professional titles benefiting from automatic recognition under the Common Training Framework.
What are the basic requirements for the implementation of a Common Training Framework for a profession?
- CTFs are only possible for professions that are regulated (or education and training leading to the profession is regulated) in at least one third of EU Member States.
- The defined common set of knowledge, skills and competences must be in accordance with the systems of education and training applicable in at least one third of EU Members states.
- The Common Training Framework shall be based on levels of the EQF, as defined in Annex II of the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008 on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning.
- It is another important requirement that Common Training Frameworks be prepared following a transparent process, including the relevant stakeholders from Member States where the profession is not regulated.
Who can submit suggestions for Common Training Frameworks?
Representative professional organisations at Union level, as well as national professional organisations or competent authorities from at least one third of the Member States, may submit to the Commission suggestions for Common Training Frameworks. This is, what ECEC and ECCE have already done.
Does a Common Training Framework replace/change national law?
No, it neither replaces national training programmes (unless a Member State decides otherwise under national law), nor does it create any new regulations for the profession.
Are there any negative implications for countries in which the profession is not regulated?
No regulatory changes whatsoever. Member countries – regulated or non-regulated – should however support their professionals by helping them to provide the proof of fulfilment of a the CTF when they want to move to another country.
Why are ECEC and ECC actively working for the implementation of a Common Training Framework for Civil Engineers?
Even though a common training framework does not replace national law it is a common European understanding about the minimum standard of (Civil) Engineering education. This enhances safety and transparency for clients, consumers, and the public as well as mobility within the profession.
Is there a benefit for a professional Civil Engineer who fulfils the standards of a CTF?
Professionals providing the proof of fulfilment of the requirements of a CTF get access to automatic recognition without prior equivalency evaluation when they want to work in another country. Currently, engineers are covered by the general recognition system and must undergo an equivalency evaluation when moving to another country.
Is there a disadvantage for a professional Civil Engineer that does not fulfil the standards of a CTF?
No, nothing changes for him/her. Professionals that do not fulfil the qualification requirements of a CTF remain in general recognition system and must undergo an equivalency evaluation when moving to another country, meaning that for them the current situation does not change.
Are Civil Engineers that go through the automatic recognition because they proof fulfilment of a CTF fully authorized to conduct the profession in the host country?
Yes
Why only CTF for Civil Engineers and not all other Engineers?
The definition of a set of knowledge, skills, and competences as well as the fulfilment of the legal requirements for the implementation of a CTF (regulation in at least one third of the Member States etc) is focused on a specific profession. Nevertheless, ECEC and ECCE believe that after the implementation of a Common Training Framework for one engineering profession it will – based on this model and the related experiences – be easier to also reach an agreement for other engineering professions that fulfil the requirements for the implementation of a Common Training Framework.