Erasmus+ Worldwide: Comparable NQF Level 5 Qualifications
On 4 December 2025, the Erasmus+ VET Team Austria at the OeAD (Agency for Education and Internationalisation), together with the Federal Ministry of Education (BMB), hosted an online information event entitled “With Erasmus+ VET mobile worldwide – comparable NQF level 5 qualifications in selected countries”. The event centred on the question of how international mobility and cooperation in vocational education and training with countries outside the EU (‘third countries’) can be strategically expanded.
A key contribution was provided by Karin Luomi-Messerer together with Sabine Tritscher-Archan (ibw), who presented the results of a recently finished project commissioned by the Ministry of Education and the OeAD. The study analysed vocational education and training qualifications in 20 countries worldwide which can be considered largely equivalent to qualifications at Austrian NQF level 5 and ISCED levels 4 and 5, and that are in principle suitable for cooperation with higher vocational schools. In-depth country profiles were developed for eight selected countries – Egypt, Japan, Canada, Morocco, Moldova, the Philippines, Singapore and South Korea. These profiles are intended to provide schools and teachers with initial guidance and support them in initiating and implementing collaborations.
In addition, the event provided information on Erasmus+ funding opportunities for worldwide mobility of learners, teachers and other education staff, as well as on accompanying support measures. Short interviews with practitioners from school-based and company-based contexts offered insights into existing mobility projects and their importance for long-term international cooperation.
The country profiles, together with a longlist containing information on a total of 21 countries, are available as downloads and represent a valuable resource for education and training institutions seeking to further develop international activities in VET.
image by Foto von NASA auf Unsplash
Contact: Karin Luomi-Messerer
