ECVET should be based on the principles and technical specifications set out in Annex II. Furthermore, it should be underpinned by the common principles for quality assurance set out in the Council conclusions of 28 May 2004 on Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training and the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for Vocational Education and Training (7).

The two levels correspond to regulated courses of study of a total duration of at least 15 years which require the successful completion of eight years of elementary education followed by four years of intermediate preparatory vocational education (VMBO), and which require at least three years' level 3 or 4 training at a college for intermediate vocational training (MBO), culminating in an examination (The average duration of vocational training may be reduced from three to two years where the student has a qualification required to enter university (14 years of prior training) or to enter higher vocational education (13 years of prior t ...[+++]raining)).

The two levels correspond to regulated courses of study of a total duration of at least 15 years which require the successful completion of eight years of elementary education followed by four years of intermediate preparatory vocational education (VMBO), and which require at least three years' level 3 or 4 training at a college for intermediate vocational training (MBO), culminating in an examination (The average duration of vocational training may be reduced from three to two years where the student has a qualification required to enter university (14 years of prior training) or to enter higher vocational education (13 years of prior t ...[+++]raining)).

‘vocational training’ means any form of initial vocational education or training, including technical and vocational teaching and apprenticeships, which contributes to the achievement of a vocational qualification recognised by the competent authorities in the Member State in which it is obtained, as well as any continuing vocational education or training undertaken by a person during his or her working life.

‘vocational training’ means any form of initial vocational education or training, including technical and vocational teaching and apprenticeships, which contributes to the achievement of a vocational qualification recognised by the competent authorities in the Member State in which it is obtained, as well as any continuing vocational education or training undertaken by a person during his or her working life;

The report highlighted the measures which had been taken to create closer links between vocational education and training and the global education reform, and in particular the integration of the Directorate for Vocational Education and Training at the Ministry of Education into the Directorate-General for Human Resources and the opening of a National Centre for the Development of Technical and Vocational Training.