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| Ana-Carla Pereira (EC), Conny Reuter (Solidar) and Pavel Trantina (EESC) |
the topic
Validation and
formal recognition (certification) of non-formal and informal learning outcome
(VNFIL) is one of the basic ideas in the EU's Lifelong Learning
Programme. This means that the competences acquired during play (children),
sparetime activities, in work experience or volunteering shall be assessed are
potentially as valuable as those acquired and certified in formal education
institutions. Though a concept should be presented by all EU member states
until 2018 many countries have only done little and civil society - the voice
of learners - seems hardly involved at all.
EUCIS-LLL - the
platform for European Citizenship and Lifelong Learning - had been advocating
for involvment on all levels. EPA participated in prior meetings dealing with
this issue.
Solidar is
coordinating a European project to push forward and contribute to the
implementation of validation of Non-formal and informal learning outcome.
the conference
A comprehensive report published by the
organisers is freely available.
Several statements seem to
deserve EPA's interest:
Ana-Carla Pereira complained that several European countries showed hardly any effort to find ways of implementation. The European Commission was not to push mandatory progress reports but tried to create momentum for the development.
The EC expected differentiated concepts regarding the different phases and purposes of validation. The involvement of all stakeholders was mandatory.
Competence validation should not only focus on employability.
Pavel Trantina referred to
his deep commitment to the Scouts-Movement. Validation of competences acquired
by volunteering was among his priorities. He referred to the Strasbourg-Process launched in November
2011 and P.A.V.E, the recommendations by the Alliance o the European Year of
Volunteering (2011).
He called for more
institutional support for volunteering from the European Commission and the
European Parliament.
Isabelle Michel spoke on
behalf of the employees representing ETUC. She mentioned several examples to show
that the purpose of validation needs to be investigated. Validation of
specialisation in company is useless if the whole branch collapses and there is
no need for this expertise. Validation will only improve employment if
vacancies and certificates match. She called for further considerations of the benefits
and targeted actions.
David Lopez, representative of Solidar an President of EUCIS-LLL, pointed out that
validation was an individual right. It needs to be seen on all EQF-levels and
made possible in all sectors. There was a need to reach out for marginalised
and disadvantaged groups. Institutions of education need to be prepared for
this new opportunity. Full certification of NFIL outcomes had to be implemented.
Robert Plummer spoke on
behalf of Business Europe. As Business Europe had not yet defined a position on
the topic he gave only some remarks. 75 % of all non-formal learning was
provided by employers. Validation was like a letter of recommendation he said –
a clear contradiction to the claim for formal certification David Lopez had
voiced.
Overall expectations of employers
seem to be far away from he claims voiced by stakeholders.
What is relevant for parents?
Parents can
benefit from VNFIL as employees and thus develop their professional profiles.
Parents’
organisations who offer parents’ trainings or development programmes should
take care to create links to the validation processes. Certificates for
trainers from the volunteer organisations are prerequisite to recognition of
courses offered by the organisations.
Johannes Theiner
EPA Ambassador
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