1. Flexi-Path This project is funded by Leonardo, in the European Commission Lifelong Learning Programme Flexible professionalisation pathways for Adult Educators between the 6 th and 7 th level of EQF Bernard Godding, Chair & CEO Educational Centres Association

2. Estonia Eesti Vabaharidusliit Germany Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung * Italy Università degli Studi di Firenze Romania Institutul Roman de Educatia Adultilor din Timisoara Spain CREA at Universitat De Barcelona Switzerland Schweizerischen Verbandes für Weiterbildung UK Educational Centres Association Project Partners The project partners consist of 5 European national bodies and 2 universities * Lead partner

3. Flexi-Path Achievements The project has carried out research and from this produced a toolkit enabling adult educators  with substantial experience  working at a management / leadership level to demonstrate their professional competences gained through work experience

4. Work-based Competences Work-based competences are a reflection of a person’s ability to undertake the main functions of their professional role. They reflect: - Skills Attitudes Knowledge Their nature differentiates them from underpinning knowledge that may be learned through academic study.

5. Analysing Adult Educators Competences Initially a report was produced on the required knowledge, skills and competences equating to EQF levels 6 and 7 in each partner country. These were then compared to establish a consistent European statement of competences at these levels. The following schedule forms the basis of the Flexi-Path toolkit.

6. Practice Cluster Organisational strategyFinancial ManagementAccountability Programme Development Premises and FacilitiesSustainabilityLeadershipTeam Management Staff Development and Appraisal Professional Development Learning Cluster Curriculum and Subject Development PersonalisationMetacognition Teaching and Learning Methods Fields of KnowledgeLearning ResourcesQuality Improvement Accreditation and Validation Intergenerational Learning People Cluster External RelationsMarketingLearner EngagementCommunication Information, Advice and Guidance Context and Community Community Development DiversityEmployer Engagement Rights, Responsibilities and Restrictions An Adult Educator Competence Framework

7. Flexi-Path Toolkit An effective way to demonstrate high level competences by helping users to set out clearly where their strengths lie and giving them a framework within which they can present the supporting evidence at EQF levels 6 & 7. The toolkit will allow users to: -  take stock of their competences  build their professional portfolio  receive endorsement of their advanced professional standing  work on aspects they would like to strengthen - contributing to Continuous Professional Development

8. Stage 1: Overview of the Competence Statements Stage 2: Personal Overview and Initial Self Assessment Stage 3: Building Portfolio Stage 4: Summary Stage 5: Future Strategy Consider your learning outcomes Discuss With Colleagues/ Mentor Complete the Self Assessment Action Plan Undertake activities FeedbackReview Mentor Comment Building a Personal Flexi-Path Portfolio

9. Testing Phase The Flexi-Path toolkit is currently being tested with highly experienced adult education practitioners in 7 partner countries. In addition it is important to have feedback from employers, awarding bodies and government agencies on –  the relevance and usefulness of this approach  the Flexi-Path toolkit in particular This phase of the project ends in July 2010 and all feedback will be analysed and integrated into the published toolkit.

10. Flexi-Path Conference Romania, 20 th September 2010 will: –  mark the culmination of the project  launch the toolkit  disseminate project findings.

11. Flexi-Path Futures It is hoped that the Flexi-Path toolkit will be –  widely adopted by practitioners & their employers  recognised by employers and agencies as a helpful means of contributing to sector development  valued by practitioners as a means of analysing and gaining recognition for their experience  adopted by the HE sector as evidence for modular accreditation at Masters level

12. Educational Centres Association Henderson Business Centre Ivy Road, Norwich NR5 8BF United Kingdom Tel: +44 1603 464937 Email: info@e-c-a.ac.uk Web: www.e-c-a.ac.uk