Initial vocational education and training: focus on qualifications at levels 3 and 4. This study examines the initial vocational education and training (IVET) qualifications linked in the national context to the European qualifications framework (EQF) levels 3 and 4. EQF is a common reference framework of eight levels of learning outcomes that serve as a translation grid between national qualifications systems. Its main objective is to improve transparency and comparability of qualifications within and across countries participating in EQF implementation.

This study has an explorative character and considers what kind of IVET qualifications are linked to EQF levels 3 and 4 (via national qualifications frameworks); what their purposes and currencies are; how they are levelled; and more generally how EQF levels 3 and 4 are used in the countries included in the study.