Belgrade, 12 December 2025 – A training session entitled “Application of International Instruments for the Classification of Occupations, Education and Qualifications (ESCO, ISCO, ISCED, EUROPASS)” was held in Belgrade within the framework of the project “Increased Offer and Diversification of Accredited Non-Formal Training Courses and Adult Training Providers”, funded by the European Union.
The training was organized with the aim of strengthening the capacities of institutions involved in the development and implementation of the National Qualifications Framework of Serbia (NQFS), as well as improving understanding and practical application of international and European instruments for the classification of occupations, education and qualifications. Special emphasis was placed on enhancing transparency, comparability and quality of qualifications, as well as on better linking education with labour market needs.
During the programme, participants were introduced to key international classification instruments – ISCED, ISCO, ESCO, EQF/NQFS and EUROPASS – with a particular focus on their interconnections, interoperability and challenges related to national implementation. Topics such as the standardisation of learning outcomes, development of competences, recognition of foreign qualifications, as well as validation of non-formal and informal learning were also addressed.
The second part of the training focused on the practical application of these instruments in the national context, with special emphasis on the role of the ESCO classification in the development of qualification standards and strengthening the link between adult education and the labour market. Through interactive discussion, challenges related to the adequate definition and alignment of occupation codes in higher education were examined, which currently hinder clear and precise mapping of qualifications, competences and professional profiles within international classification systems such as ISCO and ESCO.
Within the discussion, the role of the EUROPASS platform was highlighted as an important tool for transparent presentation of qualifications, competences and learning outcomes, particularly in the context of employability, mobility and stronger links between education and the labour market. It was emphasized that EUROPASS, in combination with the ESCO classification and EQF/NQFS levels, enables greater visibility and comparability of qualifications.
Attention was also drawn to challenges in defining qualification descriptors in higher education, which are often insufficiently precise or competence-oriented. This limits the alignment of educational outcomes with labour market needs and reduces their visibility within international classification frameworks. It was concluded that further improvement of these descriptors is essential for the continued development of the NQFS and for strengthening the link between education and employment.
The training brought together representatives of relevant institutions in the fields of education, employment, statistics, quality assurance and qualifications systems, including the Ministry of Education, the Office for Dual Education and the National Qualifications Framework, the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, the National Employment Service, the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, the Qualifications Agency, the Institute for the Improvement of Education, as well as representatives of universities and higher education institutions.
It was concluded that international and national classification instruments represent a strong foundation for building a high-quality, transparent and interoperable qualifications system in the Republic of Serbia. The need for continuous institutional cooperation, further capacity building and targeted training—particularly for members of sectoral councils—was emphasized in order to ensure consistent and high-quality application of these instruments in practice.
The training was assessed as an important step towards further improvement of the qualifications system, strengthening the link between education and the labour market, and supporting the development of lifelong learning in Serbia.