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

2. 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
...

3. 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!

4. 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.)

5. 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

6. 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 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

7. 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!

8. 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!

9. 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

10. Recreational Activity Study Book
THANKS FOR LISTENING
Youth Academy
Recreational Activity Study Book