Relevant documents

First of all a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or a Partner Agreement  (PA)  needs to be set up to formalise the agreement on cooperation in mobility projects between the institutions. They establish partnerships and their procedures for cooperation. Both a MoU and a PA are possible to set up between cooperating organisations within YOMTOOL. These agreements are based upon mutual trust where the signing competent institutions are confident that the others manner in recognising and validating learning outcomes is done appropriately and sufficiently. Usually the necessary information is exchanged before the agreements are outlined.
The difference between the agreements roots in that a MoU is most often set up between organisations that are responsible for certifications, in other words competent bodies, however Partner Agreements are set up between sending and receiving partners directly. Usually the Memorandum of Understanding is a more detailed agreement which sets the framework for transferring credits and learning outcomes. This includes which partners are taking part as sending and receiving partners form the two different countries, as well as the duration of the agreement. Furthermore, the MoUs and PAs decide upon the qualification and the learning outcomes the apprenticeships are planned to take part in, including defining the procedures of assessment that are to be used to validate and recognise learning outcomes the apprentice is to acquire during the exchange placement.

As the MOU or the PA have been signed, the next step in the mobility life cycle is to set up individual Learning Agreements (LA)  for every single apprentice that is planned to take part in the exchange. These are therefore set up as a part of the MoU or partner agreement that exists between the cooperating institutions. In YOMTOOL apprentices are referred to as learner participants. A Learning Agreement is set up between the sending and the hosting partner and the individual learner participant. They are set up under the specific regulations according to the MoU or Partner Agreement.

Learning Agreements specifies the expected learning outcomes and units to be achieved during the mobility. Furthermore it includes the assessment, validation and recognition procedures that are to be used during and after the placement mobility experience. The agreement covers the competence level the learner participant holds before he or she goes on exchange, and the competence to be achieved during the exchange. A Learning Agreement may ensure that learning outcomes achieved and validated at the host institution will be recognised as a part of a qualification at the home institution. Furthermore, the Learning Agreement should contain individual development plans for the learner and plans how to organise the recognition of learning outcomes to be achieved. This should be specified in order to make the mobility run as smoothly as possible.

As follow-up tool, documents as a personal transcript  can be set up in YOMTOOL. Such a document shows individual learning attainments as learning outcomes. Additionally, YOMTOOL is compatible with the Europass documents where parts of the learning experiences are documented. Additionally, a coordinated registry of certificates and training documentation with linking options into other instruments like Europass and the content of a Journeyman Certificate, Master of Skilled Craft and specific sector certificates is at the core of the system.