1. Dr. Wolfgang Müskens CvO University of Oldenburg
Network for Qualifications North-West A pilot project in the initiative AnKom (Recognition of vocational competences in Higher Education Study Programmes)
Dr. Wolfgang Müskens
CvO University of Oldenburg

2. Three types of „Recognition of prior learning“ Access
Three types of „Recognition of prior learning“
Access, Admission, Exemption
Access
Minimal Requirements for access to higher education regulated by law
(e.g. Abitur (diploma from secondary school or Examination „Z“)
Admission
Selection of applicants for a place at university by faculty or Central Agency for Univerity Admission(ZVS)
Creditation
Exemption from modules of study because of prior learning or previous acquired competencies

3. An initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
AnKom (Anrechnung beruflicher Kompetenzen auf Hochschulstudiengänge) Recognition of vocational competences in Higher Education Study Programmes
11 regional pilot projects
Regional pilot project „Network for Qualifications North-West“ with participation of the University of Oldenburg
Project Duration: 9/2005 until 12/2007
Objectives: 1. To evaluate the transferability of learning outcomes from continuing vocational education 2. Development of instruments for recognition of prior vocational education 3. Consideration of informal competences with regard to certification and validation at University

4. Network for Qualifications North-West
Network for Qualifications North-West
Qualifikationsverbund Nord-West
IHK Ostfriesland und Papenburg
Uni OL
Uni Bremen
IHK OL
HK Bremen
AN-kammer Bremen
Chambers of Industry and Commerce

5. Recognition of Prior Learning
Objectives:
Offer more flexible transitions between vocational and university higher education
Reduce redundancies at the interface between voactional and higher education
Stimulate life long learning
Create new pathes of education
Validate previously acquired knowledge, skills, and competencies juster than now
Shorten the length of study

6. Structure of vocational education (at Chambers of commerce) in Germany
Structure of vocational education (at Chambers of commerce) in Germany
Business specialist (2 years part-time) „Betriebswirt“
Technical business specialist (2 years part-time) 30
1 – 3 years on the job experience
Certified senior clerk / senior commercial clerk (2 years part-time) „Fachwirt/Fachkaufmann“
Master craftsman (2 years part-time) „Meister“ 25
1 – 5 years on the job experience 20
Initial vocational training max. 3.5 years „Ausbildung“
Age (approx.)

7. Vocational education vs. Higher Education
Vocational education vs. Higher Education
The view of the Chambers of Commerce 8
PhD 7
Business specialist „Betriebswirt“
Master 6
Senior clerk / Master craftsman „Fachwirt, Meister, etc.“ „Bachelor professional“
Bachelor
Initial vocational training „Ausbildung“
EQF-Level

8. Vocational education vs. Higher Education
Vocational education vs. Higher Education
The view of the universities 8
PhD 7
Master 6
Bachelor
Business specialist „Betriebswirt“
Recognition of prior learning
Senior clerk / Master craftsman „Fachwirt, Meister, etc.“
Initial vocational training „Ausbildung“
EQF-Level

9. „Blanket“ Recognition
Basic principles
Any holder of a certain qualification (e.g. Master craftsman, Certified senior clerk) gets exemption from equivalent university modules without individual assessment
University (in coorperation with Chambers) check only one-time the equivalence of the vocational qualification and the programme of study at university
University guarantees recognition for any holder of the vocational qualification

10. Intended options of blanket recognition I
Intended options of blanket recognition I
Pilot project in Oldenburg
Bachelor „Business Administration“
CvO University Oldenburg
Business specialist Betriebswirt IHK
Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in
Bremen, Oldenburg, Emden
Senior insurance clerk Versicherungsfachwirt/in
Senior industrial clerk Industriefachwirt/in

11. Intended options of blanket recognition II
Intended options of blanket recognition II
Pilot project in Bremen
M.Sc. „Systems Engineering“
Ba.Sc. „Systems Engineering“
University Bremen
Technical Business specialist Technischer Betriebswirt IHK
Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in
Bremen, Oldenburg, Emden
Master craftsman Meister IHK

12. An example: Mr. Mohlberg
An example: Mr. Mohlberg
I‘ve already learned that in continuing vocational training. Will there be any exemption? How many ECTS points will be credited?
Business Specialist and Senior industrial Clerk, 32 years old
Diploma from secondary school (Abitur)
Initial voc. Training in commerce
12 years experience on the job
Managerial responsibility in a medium company
Interested in studying „Bachelor of Business Administration“ (BA) at University of Oldenburg
Expects creditation of prior learning

13. Blanket Recognition of continuing vocational training
Blanket Recognition
of continuing vocational training
on the job experience
Initial vocational training
Vocational qualification (e.g. Senior Clerk)
Vocational qualification (e.g. Business Specialist)
Chambers of Commerce
Studies
BA (Uni OL)
Chambers of Commerce
Dual System: on the job + vocational school
Systems Engineering (Uni Bremen)
ECTS-Points
ECTS-Points
Validation / Creditation

14. Blanket recognition of non-higher-education qualifications
Blanket recognition of non-higher-education qualifications
Module of Study course (e.g. „Production“ or „Leadership“
Equivalence check
Experts determine,
to what extent the contents of the module are covered by learning outcomes of the vocational qualification
which level of skills, knowledge, and competence (according to EQF) in reference to skills, knowledge will be achieved in the module and in the vocational qualification
Level (EQF)
Skills
Knowledge
Competence
Contents
Corresponding subject of vocational qualification
Expertise on equivalence

15. Comparing continuing vocational and higher education
Comparing continuing vocational and higher education
Difficulties and differences
Continuing Higer Education
Continuing vocational training
Learning outcomes focused on „scientific skills“:
Reflecting
Analyzing
Critical Thinking
Generate new questions
Understanding the generation of theories, models and instruments (research)
Learning outcomes focused on „vocational skills and knowledge“
Acquired skills have to be applicable immediately
Models and methods shouldn‘t be scrutinized or questioned
Formal vocational training and experiences on the job complement one another
Assessment and grading based on*:
Learning projects
Presentation of project results
Reflection on team work
Assessment and grading based on:
Written examinations
Nationwide standardized tasks
Standardized criteria for appraisal
*) in BA Business Administration

16. Comparing continuing vocational and higher education
Comparing continuing vocational and higher education
Difficulties and differences
Continuing Higer Education
Continuing vocational training
Types of learning*
Self study periods
Online Discussion-Boards (WebCT)
Team Projects (online)
Real life discussions with experts
Types of learning
Frontal teaching
Self study
Exercising tasks of prior years
Modularisation*:
10 compulsory modules (each 8 ECTS)
10 compulsary optional modules
No examinations outside of modules
Modularisation:
Learning and examination totally separated
Training and examination – sometimes different institutions
Multidisciplinary integrated examinations
*) in BA Business Administration

17. An example: Mr. Mohlberg
An example: Mr. Mohlberg
This „blanket recognition“ is restricted to formal vocational education. I‘ve learned much more informally on the job. How will that be validated?
Business Specialist and Senior industrial Clerk, 32 years old
Diploma from secondary school (Abitur)
Initial voc. Training in commerce
12 years experience on the job
Managerial responsibility in a medium company
Interested in studying „Bachelor of Business Administration“ (BA) at University of Oldenburg
Expects creditation of prior learning

18. Two options for recognition
Two options for recognition
Blanket vs. individual
Validation
Formal vocational qualifications
Informal learning
blanket recognition
Individual recognition
Equivalence check
Assessment of competences
(Portfolio + Complex task)
started in 3/2006

19. Two options for recognition
Two options for recognition
Oh, i‘ll get up to 80 ECTS-Points! That‘s almost half of the study course. Great!
Blanket vs. individual
Validation
Formal vocational qualifications
Informal learning
blanket recognition
Individual recognition
Equivalence check
Assessment of competences
(Portfolio + Complex task)
started in 3/2006

20. Contact Arbeitsbereich Weiterbildung und Bildungsmanagement
Contact
Arbeitsbereich Weiterbildung und Bildungsmanagement
Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg
26111 Oldenburg
Dr. Wolfgang Müskens