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Taking stock of what has been achieved is a great starting point for further work – a conference marking the 10th anniversary of the IQS Act

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For a decade, the Integrated Qualifications System (IQS) has been connecting education with the needs of the labour market. On 5 May 2026, at the conference ‘The Integrated Qualifications System from the perspective of 10 years of the IQS Act’, we had an opportunity to exchange experiences and conclusions, as well as to consider the important role that cooperation between different communities plays in promoting the System.

Presentations and key topics

The different perspectives of the speakers and participants – experts and practitioners involved in the IQS – gave us a fuller picture of the work carried out, the measures taken and their results. The meeting consisted of three parts and gave the floor to people who:

  • implemented and coordinated the project,
  • helped to develop the IQS,
  • used the results of these activities in their day-to-day work, and
  • are shaping the future direction of the project.

We discussed a wide range of topics, with particular interest in the part devoted to so-called success stories – stories of people who have been using the System and its tools in their work for years. We also discussed the future of the IQS and how it can respond even better to the needs of learners, the labour market and institutions.

Find out more about the event: link to an external website.

IQS Ambassadors

Do you know who an IQS Ambassador is? It is someone who is particularly active in promoting the idea, principles and good practices of the System. During the event, 11 Ambassadors were honoured in recognition of their commitment to developing and promoting the System across a wide range of communities and sectors.

List of honoured Ambassadors.

Conclusions and pointers for the future

Key conclusions from the meeting:

  • The IQS is entering the next stage of its development – the focus is now on improving the System and increasing its usefulness.
  • The IQS responds to current labour market challenges – it offers qualifications that complement formal education, making it easier to change jobs or sectors and to have experience and knowledge formally recognised.
  • Close cooperation with sectors and harnessing the potential of Sector Skills Centres (BCU) support the development of the IQS.
  • The IQS works in practice: it helps organise competences, supports the quality of education and makes it easier to validate skills needed at work.

The event was organised by the Educational Research Institute – National Research Institute as part of the project ‘Supporting the further development of the Integrated Qualifications System in Poland (IQS6)’, co-financed by the European Funds for Social Development (FERS.01.08-IP.05-0001/23). FERS funding: PLN 61,064,800.00.