Recreational Activity Study Book Youth Academy Recreational Activity Study Book Recognition of learning in youth voluntary free-time activities Example from experience www.nuortenakatemia.fi

Youth Academy NGO, politically and religiously independent, established in 1994 for… promoting the appreciation of learning in youth voluntary activities supporting youth voluntary free-time activities … by 12 major Finnish youth & sports organisations Red Cross Scouts Evangelical Lutheran Church 4H ... www.nuortenakatemia.fi

Learning in youth voluntary free-time activities non-formal (organised & voluntary) and informal (non-organised, not always intentional) learning through participation ”life skills”, such as: co-operation & team work communication commitment problem solving in this context, the task of the youth worker/leader is to make young people aware of the learning that has taken place! www.nuortenakatemia.fi

Significance to employers or formal education? Key competencies that are rarely learnt in formal education Comparable to work experience (but not paid, no certificates) It is important to raise awareness Documentation and recognition should be voluntary! (both for young people & employers etc.) www.nuortenakatemia.fi

Recreational Activity Study Book Makes the learning visible for young people Documentation, not assessment Main point is awareness Young people should have the right to benefit from their experiences when applying for education or a job the Study Book can be a supplement to CV www.nuortenakatemia.fi

Recreational Activity Study Book for all young people over 13 years entries from all experiences outside formal education tool for making the learning visible both for young people and adults (employers, teachers etc.) over 70 000 study book owners in Finland 250 formal educational institutions value the entries in the book price: 6 e official & financial support from: Finnish Ministry of Education & Culture Private companies www.nuortenakatemia.fi

Recreational Activity Study Book 250 educational institutions in co-operation: All fields of education vocational education institutions polytechnics universities The entries in the study book can be recognised: when applying to education as a part of the education No direct credits. The recognition by an educational institution is always personal and case-sensitive! www.nuortenakatemia.fi

Recreational Activity Study Book Employers’ perceptions Over 25 % of Study Book users think that the entries in the book have helped them in finding a summer job Employers’ organisations have encouraged their members to take into account learning experiences outside formal education or work In the case of young people, Recreational Activity Study Book can help in showing what they have done Again: No direct credits. The recognition by an employer is always personal and case-sensitive! www.nuortenakatemia.fi

Recreational Activity Study Book The message to young people: good tool for making all the learning experiences visible => non-formal learning CV it can also be useful when applying for further education or a job The message to employers: good tool for assessing the job-seeker’s activity and commitment young people learn valuable key skills/competencies in voluntary activities The message to formal educational institutions: good tool for assessing the applicant’s experience relevant to the particular field of education youth & sport NGOs offer a good learning environment that can be used as complementary or supportive to formal education www.nuortenakatemia.fi

Recreational Activity Study Book THANKS FOR LISTENING Youth Academy Recreational Activity Study Book lauri.savisaari@nuortenakatemia.fi toimisto@nuortenakatemia.fi www.nuortenakatemia.fi