4.10. 83 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 264/5 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Decision on the comparability of vocational training qualifications 
between the Member States of the European Community 
(Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 20 September 1983) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN 
COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community, and in particular 
Articles 128 and 155 thereof, 
Having regard to the Decision of the Council of 
2 April 1963 ('), laying down general principles for 
implementing a common vocational training policy, 
and in particular the eighth principle thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European 
Parliamant, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas the prime concern of the eighth of the 
general principles for implementing a common 
vocational training policy, established by the Council 
Decision of 2 April 1963 ('), is to make it possible to 
achieve the mutual recognition of certificates and 
other documents confirming completion of vocational 
training; 
Whereas the Resolution of the Council of 6 June 
1974 (2), on the mutual recognition of diplomas, cer­
tificates and other evidence of formal qualifications, 
requires lists of such qualifications recognized as 
being equivalent to be drawn up; 
Whereas the absence of mutual recognition of 
diplomas, certificates or other evidence of formal 
qualifications is a factor inhibiting freedom of 
movement for workers within the Community, insofar 
as it restricts the extent to which workers seeking 
C) OJ No 63, 20. 4. 1963. 
(2) OJ No C 98, 20. 8. 1974. employment in one Member State can rely on 
vocational qualifications obtained in another; 
Whereas there is a very substantial degree of diversity 
in the vocational training systems in the Community, 
which themselves are constantly requiring adaptation 
to the new situations brought about by the impact of 
technological change on employment and job 
content; 
Whereas the resolution of the Council of 3 June 
1983, concerning vocational training policies in the 
European Community in the 1980's, affirmed the 
need for a convergence of policies in the vocational 
training field, whilst recognizing the diversity of 
training systems in the Member States, and the need 
for Community action to be flexible; 
Whereas it has been possible to define a Community 
structure of levels of training, as a first step towards 
the achievement of the aims laid down in the eighth 
principle; 
Whereas for the skilled worker level within this 
structure, and for selected priority groups of occu­
pations, it has been possible to arrive at job 
descriptions and to identify the corresponding 
vocational training qualifications in the various 
Member States; 
Whereas consultation with the sectors concerned has 
provided evidence that the results of this work can 
provide firms, workers and public authorities with 
valuable information concerning the comparability of 
vocational training qualifications; 
Whereas the same basic methodology could be 
applied to other occupations or groups of occupations 
at the skilled worker level, or at other levels in the 
Community structure of levels of training, on advice 
from the Advisory Committe for Vocational Training, 
and with the collaboration of employers, workers and 
the public authorities in the occupational sectors 
concerned, 
No C 264/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 10.83 
Taking into account the preparatory work 
undertaken by the Commission and its Advisory 
Committee for Vocational Training, with the 
technical assistance of the European Centre for the 
Development of Vocational Training, (in accordance 
with Article 2.2 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 
337/75 of 10 February 1975, establishing that 
Centre), and the substantial contribution of national 
experts in the fields concerned, who were appointed 
on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, 
Taking into account the opinion delivered by the 
Advisory Committee for Vocational Training at its 
meeting on 18 and 19 January 1983, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION, 
Article 1 
The comparability, of vocational training 
qualifications in the European Community requires 
progressive common action by the Member States, to 
enable workers to use their qualifications in particular 
for the purposes of obtaining employment in another 
Member State. 
Each Member State shall, within its existing 
established procedures or by such additional measures 
as may be appropriate in its particular case, ensure 
that this general aim is realized, in accordance with 
this Decision, and with the advice of the competent 
Community bodies, and the collaboration of 
employers and workers in the various occupational 
sectors concerned. 
Article 2 
A Community structure of levels of training, 
comprising five separate and distinct levels of 
vocational training — corresponding broadly to 
semiskilled, skilled, technician, higher technician and 
full university levels respectively — together with the 
criteria for access to training at each level, is hereby 
established (Annexe 1). 
Article 3 
The Commission shall undertake work to establish 
the comparability of vocational training qualifications 
between the various Member States, in respect of 
specific occupations or groups of occupations. This 
work shall, in the first instance, concentrate upon 
level two (skilled worker) of the structure of levels of 
training mentioned in Article 2. 
The scope of this Decision may subsequently be 
extended to permit work to be undertaken at other 
levels of the structure of levels of training, upon a 
proposal from the Commission. The European system for the international clearing of 
vacancies and applications for employment register 
(SEDOC), used in connection with the Community-
wide system for the notification of employment 
vacancies and applications for employment, shall be 
used as the common frame of reference with regard 
to occupational classifications. 
Article 4 
The following working procedure, based on six 
successive and complementary stages, shall be 
employed by the Commission in establishing the 
comparability of vocational training qualifications: 
— selection of the relevant occupations or groups of 
occupations in the sector under consideration; 
— drawing up agreed Community job descriptions 
for those occupations; 
— matching the vocational training qualifications 
recognized in the various Member States with 
those job descriptions; 
— establishing comparative tables incorporating 
information on the SEDOC and national occu­
pational classification codes, the level of 
vocational training according to the Community 
structure of levels of training, and for each 
Member State the occupational title and 
corresponding vocational training qualifications, 
the organizations and institutions responsible for 
dispensing vocational training, and the authorities 
and organizations competent to issue or to 
validate diplomas, certificates, or other documents 
confirming completion of vocational training; . 
— publication of the agreed Community job 
descriptions and the comparative tables in the 
Official Journal of the European Communities; 
— dissemination of information on the established 
comparabilities to all appropriate bodies at 
national, regional and local levels, as well as 
throughout the occupational sectors concerned. 
Article 5 
Each Member State shall designate a national coordi­
nation office, based wherever possible on existing 
structures, which shall be responsible for ensuring — 
, in close collaboration with the social partners and the 
occupational sectors concerned — the proper 
dissemination of information to all interested parties, 
provide the necessary intersectoral coordination, and 
act as the focal point in their country for contacts 
4.10. 83 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 264/7 
with the coordination offices in other Member States, 
and with the Commission. 
The national coordination offices shall also be 
responsible for establishing appropriate reception and 
information arrangements with regard to vocational 
training for their own nationals wishing to work in 
other Member States, and for incoming workers from 
other Member States, and for the issue on request of 
certificates (based on the model in Annexe 2) 
attesting the comparability of vocational training 
qualifications. 
The Commission will give national coordination 
offices all necessary assistance and advice concerning 
the preparation and implementation of the certi­
fication arrangements, including the adaptation, 
revision and checking of the relevant technical 
documents. 
Article 6 
The Commission, in close liaison with the designated 
national coordination offices in the Member States, 
shall: — periodically review and update the community job 
descriptions and the comparative tables relating to 
the comparability of vocational training 
qualifications; 
— process the periodic national reports provided for 
in Article 7, and where necessary formulate 
proposals for a more efficient operation of the 
system; 
— where necessary assist in the case of technical 
difficulties between the national authorities or 
specialist bodies concerned; 
— where necessary, promote and implement any 
other measure likely to facilitate the observance of 
comparability of vocational training qualifications. 
Article 7 
Each Member State shall, every three year's, submit to 
the Commission an national report on the practical 
implementation of these arrangements and the results. 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
ANNEX 1 
STRUCTURE OF TRAINING LEVELS 
LEVEL 1 
Training giving access to this level: compulsory education and introductory vocational training 
This training is acquired either at a school, or through training schemes not connected with 
schooling, or on the job. The amount of theoretical knowledge and practical skills required is very 
limited. 
This qualification, which is aimed at relatively simple work, can be acquired in a fairly short time. ,. 
LEVEL 2 
Training giving access to this level: compulsory education and vocational training 
(including apprentceship) 
At this level a full qualification is obtained for a clearly defined activity, with the ability to use the 
relevant tools and techniques. 
This activity mainly involves practical work, which can be carried out without supervision, at least 
in respect of those techniques which have been learnt. 
LEVEL 3 
Training giving access to this level: compulsory education and either vocational training and 
additional technical training and qualification or school or other technical training at secondary level 
This involves more technical knowledge than the preceding level. This level involves mainly 
practical work which may be carried out without supervision, and/or which includes other 
responsibilities such as planning and coordination. 
No C 264/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 4.10. 83 
LEVEL 4 
Training giving access to this level: secondary education (general or vocational) and post-secondary 
technical training 
This is technical training at a high level acquired either in schools or elsewhere. The qualification 
acquired as a result of this training includes knowledge and abilities which belong to a higher level 
but does not generally demand a mastery of scientific principles in the various fields concerned. 
These skills and knowledge permit in particular the assumption in a generally autonomous or 
independent manner of responsibility for conceptual planning and/or administration and/or 
management. 
LEVEL 5 
Training giving access to this level: secondary education (general or vocational) and full higher 
education and/or professional training 
This generally enables its recipient to exercise a professional activity, whether salaried or self-
employed, independently and implies mastery of the scientific bases of the profession. 
4. 10. 83 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 264/9 
ANNEX 2 
MODEL 
CERTIFICATE 
for attesting the comparability of vocational training qualifications 
This is to certify that: 
Mr/Mrs/Miss 
Date of birth 
Resident at 
holds one of the vocational training qualifications for the occupation of: 
SEDOC occupational classification code 
National occupational classification code 
which appears in the comparative table of qualifications for skilled workers in that occupation, 
published in the Official Journal of the European Communities No of 
and which meets the agreed Community job description for the occupation concerned, published in 
the same issue of the Official Journal. 
Date and place of issue Signed and stamped 
on behalf of the competent issuing body 
No C 264/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 10. 83 
ANNEX 3 
Opinion of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training on the establishment of a Community 
method to ensure the comparability of certificates of occupational qualification 
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING, 
at its plenary session held in Brussels on 18 and 19 January 1983, 
having regard to the Council Decision laying down general principles for implementing a common 
vocational training policy ('), and in particular to the eighth principle thereof, concerning the 
progressive approximation of levels of training and the mutual recognition of certificates and other 
documents confirming completion of vocational training; 
having regard to the fact that this aim was emphasised when the European Centre for the 
Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) was established (2), and was one of the specific 
priority tasks assigned to it; 
having regard to the results of the work accomplished since 1975 by the Advisory Committee's 
working group on the approximation of levels of training, and since 1978 in cooperation with 
CEDEFOP, and the substantial contribution of national experts in the fields concerned, appointed 
on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee; 
whereas the essentially practical approach applied to the work carried out so far, on the basis of a 
Community structure of levels of training and concentrating on skilled workers in the first instance, 
has facilitated the process of arriving at descriptions of practical job requirements and of identifying 
the associated certificates and titles in the various Member States, enabling comparability of certi­
ficates awarded on completion of training and occupational requirements, thus contributing towards 
meeting the objectives foreseen in the Council Decision referred to above; 
whereas consultation with the sectors concerned at national level has shown that the results of the 
work already carried out in respect of certificates of occupational qualification for a group of 
occupations in the electrical trades sector, can provide firms, workers and public authorities with 
valuable information for assessing the comparability of occupational qualifications, and in this way 
contribute to the freedom of movement for workers within the Community; 
whereas comparability could be established by the Commission, on the basis of a mandate from the 
Council, for other occupations or groups of occupational activities at level 2 (skilled worker), 
utilizing the same basic methodology, and on the basis of continuing advice from the Advisory 
Committee, and with the collaboration of CEDEFOP and of employers and workers in the occu­
pational sectors concerned; 
IS OF THE OPINION THAT: 
1. There is agreement on the basic methodology for establishing comparability of certificates of 
occupational qualification, based on the description of practical occupational requirements, and the 
agreed comparability of the related certificates awarded on completion of training. The existence of 
such comparability infers that the bearer of a certificate of occupational qualification has received 
training which satisfies the practical occupational requirements involved, which have been defined 
on the basis of the methodology developed by the Commission on the advice of the Advisory 
Committee for Vocational Training, and would not prejudice any additional conditions which may 
be applied in a national context; 
2. This basic methodology provides a suitable framework to permit work to be carried out to 
establish comparability of certificates of occupational qualification at level 2 (skilled worker) for 
other occupational sectors, in collaboration with the interested sectors. Such work may also be 
carried out at the specific request of the sectors (employers/workers) concerned; 
(*) OJ No 63, 20. 4. 1963, p. 1338/63. 
O OJNoL39, 13.2. 1975, p. 1. 
4.10.83 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 264/11 
3. Suitable arrangements should be made for information on such comparability to be 
systematically disseminated in the Member States to all appropriate bodies and persons at national, 
regional and local levels, as well as throughout the occupatonal sectors concerned. Appropriate 
agencies would be designated by each Member State, based on existing structures, to act as focal 
points of contact between themselves, the Commission and CEDEFOP, whilst allowing a reasonable 
time for any necessary and appropriate adaptation of these structures and procedures; 
4. The Commission, drawing on the assistance of CEDEFOP as appropriate, and in close liaison 
with the designated national agencies in the Member States, should: 
— on the request of the Member States, give the appropriate national services all the necessary 
assistance and advice regarding technical measures concerning the preparation and dissemination 
of information relating to comparability between certificates of occupational qualification, 
including the adaptation and checking of the relevant technical documents; 
— take the necessary steps to ensure a periodic review and updating of the technical information 
relating to the comparability of qualifications for the sectors concerned, to take account of 
changes in job requirements and in qualifications; 
— process periodic national reports concerning practical implementation and its results and, where 
necessary, formulate proposals for a more efficient operation of the system; 
— where necessary assist in the case of technical difficulties between the national authorities or 
specialist bodies concerned; 
— where necessary, promote and implement any other agreed measure likely to facilitate the 
observance of comparability between certificates of occupational qualification.