Entities

National Coordination Point for the Implementation of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)

The National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training is the National Coordination Point for the implementation of the European Qualifications Framework (NCP EQF) for all qualification levels. With regard to levels 5 to 8 of the National Qualifications Framework, the articulation is done in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Higher Education. 

The European Qualifications Framework - established by the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23^rd April 2008 - is a common reference framework to easily compare the qualifications from different countries. In this way, the European Qualifications Framework aims, above all, to make qualifications clearer and more understandable across different systems, to promote citizens' mobility and to facilitate lifelong learning.

The main functions of the EQF NCPs are to support national authorities in referencing national qualifications frameworks or systems to the EQF and to bring the EQF closer to people and organisations.

If you would like to consult other National Coordination Points, click here.

National Contact Point for the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET)

The National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (Agência Nacional para a Qualificação e o Ensino Profissional, I. P.) is the National Contact Point for the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET). ECVET is a common technical framework aimed at the transfer, recognition and accumulation of learning outcomes, in a context of mobility at the European level, for the purpose of obtaining a qualification.

The main function of the National Contact Point is to implement the guidelines of the European Parliament and the Council Recommendation on the creation of ECVET, namely the creation of methodologies and working tools and the dissemination of information on ECVET.

More information at: Agência Nacional Erasmus+; European ECVET Network; ECVET Toolkit.

National Reference Point for the European Reference Framework for Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET)

The National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (Agência Nacional para a Qualificação e o Ensino Profissional, I. P.) is the National Reference Point for the European Reference Framework for Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET).

The main function of the National Reference Point for EQAVET is to implement measures which promote the implementation of the EQAVET Framework by vocational education and training providers at the national level.

National Coordinator for the Implementation of the European Agenda for Adult Learning

The European Agenda for Adult Learning is a European strategy in the field of adult education, adopted by the Council of the European Union in 2011. The objective of this Agenda is to continue, complement and consolidate the work carried out in the field of adult education in the context of the objectives of the “Education and Training 2020” strategic framework and its central purpose is to reinforce the participation of adults in education and training activities (formal, non-formal and informal), in order to acquire new professional skills, to exercise active citizenship or even pursue their personal fulfilment.

In Portugal, the implementation of the European Agenda for Adult Education is coordinated by ANQEP, I.P. through a project supported by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency.

National Support Service (NSS) of the Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (EPALE)

EPALE is an Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe, whose purpose is to serve the community of professionals who work in the field of adult education and training, constituting itself as a multilingual community, with free membership, for teachers, trainers, researchers, academics, policy makers, politicians and all those who have a professional role in the field of adult education in Europe.

EPALE is the result of an initiative of the European Commission and is managed by the Central Support Service (CSS), which is responsible for its development, with the support of the National Support Services (NSS) of the member countries.

Since 2014, ANQEP has been the national support service (NSS), the entity responsible for coordinating the platform's activity in Portugal, contributing to the creation and publication of content and stimulating debate within the adult community in our country.

National Plan for Adult Literacy

The main objective of the National Plan for Adult Literacy is to contribute to improving the qualification levels of the adult population in Portugal, promoting the participation of adults in lifelong learning, especially among those with very low levels of qualification and literacy. This project applies a strongly participatory and pragmatic approach through regular exchanges between partners and stakeholders, developing preparatory work, which enables a broader understanding of the target audience’s needs and the identification of practices to promote adult literacy.

The National Plan for Adult Literacy is part of the European Commission's Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) and its main objective is to support Member States in implementing structural reforms which promote investment, growth and job creation, enhancing competitiveness and sustainable growth. Technical assistance for the preparation of the Plan was provided by the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA).

Access the research report by Professor Luís Rothes’s team here. 

Quality Assurance in Adult Education

This project, developed within the scope of the European Commission's Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP), aims to analyse the main challenges of the Portuguese system of quality assurance in adult education and to support national authorities in the elaboration of concrete measures to strengthen quality assurance in adult education. The project brings together OECD experience, as well as relevant practices from other countries in addressing similar situations, to support joint work between Portuguese institutions and experts involved in adult education.

Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC)

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is a multi-cycle international programme for the assessment of adult competencies promoted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and developed in Portugal by a Project Group, with logistical and administrative support from ANQEP.

Find more information and additional resources on the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) here.