EBTN Accredited derives from the update and modernisation of the Triple E Accreditation which is based on the Triple E Standard. It is important to note that the Triple E Standard is referenced to the three EU lifelong learning instruments: the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), the system of European Credit points for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET), and the guidelines concerning European Quality Assurance for Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET)

By means of these frameworks, the standards contribute to greater transparency in the education systems of EU countries, thereby increasing the quality and international mobility of individuals and helping to restore trust and confidence in the people and organisations of the sector.

EBTN Accredited encompasses the Council of the European Union recommendations:

• vocational education and training (VET) for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience (2020/C 417/01)
• upskilling Pathways: New Opportunities for Adults (2016/C 484/01)
• individual learning accounts (2022/C 243/03)
• a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability (2022/C 243/02)

EBTN Accredited also incorporates:

• the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations – ESCO
• International Standard Classification of Occupations – ISCO
• International Standard Classification of Education: Fields of Education and Training – ISCED

EBTN Accredited aims to facilitate students by providing an insight into the quality, the level and substance of EBTN accredited qualifications recorded by EBTN in a register.

EBTN Acredited also provides transparency in that it facilitates a comparison of qualifications nationally and internationally. It recognises existing national good practices and recognises the levels and institutional accreditations awarded by national competent authorities.

EBTN Accreditation Committee’s main scope is to contribute to a sound financial industry through transparent professional qualifications. Thus, the Committees main tasks are to:

• follow current developments, trends and changes in Vocational Education in Europe and worldwide,
• encompass those changes in EBTN Accreditation Standard,
• respond adequately to currents challenges, and
• assess the applications for EBTN Accredited qualifications and the European foundation Certificate in Banking (EFCB).

The Accreditation Committee consists of 7 Members: 5 internal members (all members of BoD) and 2 external ones. The external members of the Committee are independent providers of training and/or qualifications and assist the Committee as Independent Experts for the Review of the EBTN Accreditation applications.

The Internal Members of the Triple E Committee are:

• Ms Sophia Ziakou (Greece) – Chair
• Sladjana Sredojevic (Serbia)
• Ms Jennifer Prew (UK)
• Andreas Christou (Cyprus)
• Peter Calleya (Malta)

EBTN through the Accreditation Committee provides Accreditation to Institutions for the quality of the qualifications they provide. Based on Triple E standard that specified how a non-formal qualification should be designed and executed in reference to the EU lifelong learning instruments: the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), the system of European Credit points for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) and the guidelines concerning European Quality Assurance for Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET), EBTN Accreditation Committee updated the Standard taking into consideration all recent and ongoing evolution in vocational education and training.

Now, EBTN Accredited Standard encompasses the Council Recommendation of 24th November 2020 on VET for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness, and resilience (2020/C 417/01), which replaces the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET), and the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18th June 2009 on establishment of a European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET). Additionally, it encompasses the Council Recommendations: on upskilling pathways, on individual learnings, on microcredentials as well as the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupation (ESCO) classification system.

As such EBTN Accredited Standard is a flexible, up to date, Qualification Accreditation Standard that facilitates life-long learning, flexible accumulation and transferability of qualifications, including transferability between EU systems of qualifications, and encompasses core existing good practices for professional qualifications. The update of the Standard is an ongoing task and the Members of the Accreditation Committee reaffirm their strong commitment to EBTN Members to ensure the resilience and adaptability of the EBTN Accreditation Standard to current developments and  trends in Vocational Education in Europe and worldwide.

For 2023, the Triple E Committee met online on 22^nd February and 23^rd of March.

In total 18 applications have been ratified so far by the Board and were presented with certificates during the AGMs. During 2022-2023 there were no new certificates as the Triple E Standard was updated to EBTN Accredited Standard. All Triple E certifications will be updated and upgraded to EBTN Accredited Standard during 2024.

Adequately EBTN’s European Foundation Certification in Banking (EBTN), the first ever Triple E qualification which EBTN brought to market, has been updated and remains an EBTN professional qualification confirming fundamental knowledge and skills of bank employees with some experience but without professional banking education and new employees who start their career in banking.

2023 statistics:

Sophia Ziakou

EBTN Accreditation Committee, Chair