The Integrated Qualifications System (IQS) and its associated digital tools support both individual users and entire sectors. The latest regulations directly affect the scope of information about the IQS provided by careers advisers, as well as how it is promoted among pupils. Find out what has changed.
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Education and labour market needs
Careers guidance has long helped pupils make informed decisions about further education and employment. As early as 1994, the authors of a CBOS report pointed out that: ‘1) qualifications are becoming increasingly important in the labour market and in life; 2) in practice, primary school does not prepare pupils for any occupation, and almost all school-leavers pursue further education; 3) virtually no one is satisfied with finishing their education at primary school level any longer.’ We are also witnessing other factors influencing educational and career decisions, as well as the labour market itself—such as technological innovation and demographic shifts. Today, careers guidance also faces a new task: teaching individuals how to make use of reliable information regarding qualifications, the labour market, and potential career pathways.
The Integrated Qualifications System (IQS) is one of the key responses to these needs. Operating since 2016, the system encompasses all qualifications awarded by schools and higher education institutions, such as post-primary school-leaving certificates, higher education degrees and diplomas (including selected postgraduate diplomas), certain journeyman certificates, and vocational diplomas. The IQS can also incorporate master craftsman diplomas, market qualification certificates, and sectoral qualifications.
As part of the IQS, a national qualifications database (the Integrated Qualifications Register – IQR) and dedicated applications have been established. These digital tools help both pupils and adults find their place in the labour market, organise their achievements, and map out their educational and career pathways—inspiring personal development whilst encouraging people to value their experience and attain certificates or diplomas. The IQR and its applications do not choose a path on the pupil’s behalf; rather, they help users find and compare reliable information that can serve as a starting point for discussions with an adviser, teacher, or parent.
Which regulatory change directly affects the IQS?
On 1 September 2026, the Regulation of the Minister of Education on careers guidance entered into force (with the exception of § 1, point 1, which came into force on the day following the promulgation of the act).
What does this mean in the context of the IQS and its tools? Point 2.12 was introduced into Annexes 4, 5, 6, and 7, requiring that a pupil ‘outlines the opportunities for acquiring non-formal education qualifications within the Integrated Qualifications System, including market and sectoral qualifications, and uses the Integrated Qualifications Register’.
This means that a pupil will:
- know what non-formal education is;
- understand what the Integrated Qualifications System is;
- distinguish between the concepts of market and sectoral qualifications;
- be able to use the Integrated Qualifications Register.
Does this change bring any benefits?
The Register and the tools developed under the IQS can be used in daily life to yield tangible results. Knowledge of the system and the Register, as well as the ability to use the applications, amongst other things:
- supports educational and career decisions based on up-to-date data;
- deepens knowledge of occupations, qualifications, and entire sectors;
- highlights concrete opportunities for progression and for unlocking a pupil’s potential;
- motivates individuals to take on further challenges aligned with their knowledge, skills, and talents.
Explore the capabilities of the Register and applications today
See how you can use these tools in the classroom:
- The Integrated Qualifications Register – a public database containing descriptions of qualifications included in the IQS. It allows users to check what a given qualification covers and which learning outcomes it confirms. It is an invaluable tool when comparing potential development pathways or verifying what a certificate actually attests to.
How can you use the Register when working with a pupil?
- When planning their development, present specific qualifications and steps that will help them secure employment in their dream profession.
- Different paths lead to the same goal – for instance, you do not have to complete a sectoral vocational school to work in construction. Show the pupil how market and sectoral qualifications can assist them in achieving this.
- Sectoral Vocational Education Compass – here you will find clear explanations of what a given occupation entails, how to attain the necessary qualifications, and where schools providing training for that profession are located across Poland. You can also compare various occupations and gain insights into which professions offer the highest earnings for school-leavers or how quickly they secure employment after leaving school.
- Knowledge Base – reports, analyses, and academic publications highlighting trends, challenges, and the latest solutions across education and the labour market. You will also find a wealth of practical advice and teaching tips.
Sources:
Centre for Public Opinion Research (CBOS) (1994). Dostępność Szkół w Polsce [Accessibility of Schools in Poland]. https://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/1994/K_158_94.PDF (accessed: 3 September 2026)