Thu 11 December, 14:00-16:00 // University Foundation, Rue d’Egmont 11 (Metro Trone), Brussels
The seminar is organised by the Bertelsmann Stiftung in partnership with EUCIS-LLL in order to present the results of the foundation’s study on transferable elements from various validation systems in Europe. The visualization and acknowledgement of informally and non-formally acquired competencies is very important on an individual level to empower and engage citizens for a path to Lifelong Learning. Especially since the general trend towards higher qualifications is reducing the opportunities for professional and social advancement for those with low formal qualifications. But validation is also crucial in economic terms in view of the foreseeable lack of skilled workers in some European countries due to demographic change. Therefore we need regulations and procedures for capturing and recognizing the results of informal and non-formal learning processes. National recognition systems for informal and non-formal learning cannot be transferred in full to other countries due to the country-specific conditions of the education and training systems. Thus we will look at individual core elements of a validation system. These are: legal framework, procedures and instruments, financial structures, institutionalisation and support structures. Experts from European countries will report on the main concepts, legal regulations, how recognition works in practice and in how far these processes benefit people with low formal qualifications.
Agenda *
14:00 Welcome words
- MEP Tamás MESZERICS (Greens/EFA, Hungary)
- Dr. Martin Noack, Senior Project Manager, Bertelsmann Stiftung (Gütersloh, Germany)
14:10 Introduction to the study
- Prof. Dr. Eckart SEVERING, Director of the f-bb Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Nuremberg, Germany)
14:20 Best Practice presentations and discussion
- France – Janet LOONEY, Director of the European Institute of Education and Social Policy (EIESP) (Paris, France)
- Austria, Switzerland – Prof. Dr. Nicolas SCHÖPF, University of Applied Labour Studies (Mannheim, Germany)
- United Kingdom – Dr. Andrew McCOSHAN, ECVET expert UK and consultant (Brierley Hill, UK)
- Denmark – Matthias HAABER, Center for the Development and Content of Vocational Upper Secondary and Adult Education and Training, Danish Ministry of Education (Copenhagen, Denmark)
15:50 Transfer criteria and conclusion
- Prof. Dr. Eckart SEVERING, f-bb Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Nuremberg, Germany)
The event was following the EUCIS-LLL Policy Debate “Validation of non-formal and informal learning: All aboard! How to reach the targeted public?” from 09:30 to 13:00.