Systemic solutions for recognition of non-formal learning in Slovenia Barbara Kunčič 3rd March 2011

Recognition on different levels of education VET SYSTEM Short vocational upper secondary Vocational upper secondary Technical upper secondary National Professional Qualifications system Higher vocational education Tertiary education First cycle professional education First cycle academic education Second cycle (master)

VET system secondary education SCHOOL CENTRES’ CONSORTIA UNISVET : MUNUS 2: CONSORTIUM OF BIOTECHNICAL CENTRES CPI – coordination of activities CONSORTIUM OF INSTITUTIONS FOR ADULT EDUCATION

Main goals Define a procedure for recognition of learning and help schools implement it through the testing phaseDefine a procedure for recognition of learning and help schools implement it through the testing phase Define main forms that can be used in the procedureDefine main forms that can be used in the procedure Training of other schools to be able to execute the procedure of recognitionTraining of other schools to be able to execute the procedure of recognition Identify best practice examples and propose one solution that can be used in all secondary VET programmes regardless of the target groupIdentify best practice examples and propose one solution that can be used in all secondary VET programmes regardless of the target group

Challenges to solve Recognition of formal/non formal learningRecognition of formal/non formal learning Trust issues among different schools and in publicTrust issues among different schools and in public Process should be short but it has to ensure the quality of procedure and it has to be trustworthyProcess should be short but it has to ensure the quality of procedure and it has to be trustworthy Recognition / assessmentRecognition / assessment

Evaluation of the current situation in recognition of non-formal learning Received 202 questionnaires / 307 Executed procedures of validation of non-formal learning from 2007 VET schools : 13% Adult educators: 40% Higher vocational schools: 66,7% Type of recognised learning 1.Working experience 2.Courses 3.Training

Higher vocational education Consortium of higher vocational schools – IMPLETUM Rules on the recognition of prior learning in higher vocational education Joint guidlines and standards for recognition of prior learning in higher vocational education

Key steps in procedure Student has a right to apply for recognition of prior learning acquired 1.through work, non-formal training or by validation of the product done at work or actual service executed at the working post 2.Through formal education STEPS: 1.Counselling 2.Formal application 3.Preparation of personal portfolio 4.Preparation of expert opinion by lecturer 5.Assessment if needed 6.Formal consideration of application (study commission) 7.Issuing the decision on recognition 8.Possible complaint from student

Tertiary education Criteria for validation of study programmes with credits The university or independent institution of higher education in the statute or other act shall establish procedures for the recognition of credits obtained in other studies at the same or other higher education institutions. Criteria for accreditation of study programmes Institution can recognize the knowledge, skills or abilities acquired through formal, nonformal and experiential learning that is in content and complexity similar in part or as a whole to the general or subject-specific competences defined by individual study program.

Centre of the RS for vocational Education and Training National Professional Qualifications Formal certification of informal and nonformal learning – formalisation of different ways of acquisition of knowledge and skillsFormal certification of informal and nonformal learning – formalisation of different ways of acquisition of knowledge and skills For adults with no formal education enables acquisition of NVQ’s regarding to their work experiencesFor adults with no formal education enables acquisition of NVQ’s regarding to their work experiences

Centre of the RS for vocational Education and Training assessment/recognition Portfolio assessmentPortfolio assessment File of information and documents about the candidate and his/her working life, hobbies, iterests –regarding to specific NVQ Enables recognition of NVQ – usually partly Prepared with the help of counsellor ‘Live’ assessment‘Live’ assessment CombinationCombination

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