1. Recognition of non-formally obtained qualifications in Romania
Mihai Iacob,
Lucian Voinea,
NCP-VET-CO, ,
Riga, Latvia

2. Establishment and Governing Body
The principles were put forward in the year with the laws governing adult professional training
The system of recognition of qualifications obtained in other ways than the formal one was put in place by a joint order of the Ministries of Education and Labour (4.543/468/2004 )
The process is organized and supervised by the Department of Occupational Standards, Qualifications and Accreditation of the National Adult Training Board

3. Types of qualifications recognized
The centres for the recognition of qualifications/occupations obtained in non-formal pathways, while specializing mostly in middle and lower level qualifications/occupations, can recognize certain university level qualifications/occupations

4. Definitions used in the process of recognition
Professional competence is the capacity of a person to use theoretical knowledge, practical skills and specific attitudes for fulfilling the tasks at the work place.
Professional standard is a document detailing the units of competence and the quality level associated with the results encompassed by an profession.
A unit of competence is a major activity within a profession and its associated results.

5. Characteristics of recognition
It is voluntary
It is based on a professional standard
The result of the evaluation is the attribute of being “competent” or “not yet competent”
It takes place within time and space
It is independent of the formal qualification pathways

6. Types of evaluation
Normative: the performance of a person is judged through a set o values regarding time, quality, number of products to be made, clients served, etc. The performance is described relative to a mean value.
Based on criteria: the performance of a person is judged through a series of criteria mentioned by a standard. The performance is described as having achieved or not the standard.

7. Principles of recognition
Validity
Credibility
Correctness
Impartiality
Confidentiality
Simplicity
Cost-efficiency

8. Methods of evaluation used
Self-evaluation
Direct observation
Simulation
Oral exam
Written exam
A project
Reports of other people
The portfolio
The instruments used during evaluation are developed by the evaluation cetres

9. Types of evaluation centres
Evaluation centres can be set up by:
Specialized departments of economical agents
Specialized departments of training centres
Headhunting companies
Any other entity fulfilling the criteria set by the law
A set of performance criteria has been put in place by the NATB which results in the classification of evaluation centres on three levels

10. Statistics
2007
2008
2009
Total
Professional certificates
2,339
4,240
4,948
11,722
Qualification certificates
2,770
4,081
3,291
10,142
Total certificates
5,109
8,321
8,239
21,864

11. Thank you! Mihai Iacob mihai.iacob@ise.ro Lucian Voinea