European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network Database, ELGPN Database

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Adult education and VET

Country

Poland

I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database

1. Background

What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?

- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)

- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)

- Participants

In 2007-2008 in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Vocational Development Centre the first project in Poland was implemented aiming at the validation of competences in two building and construction professions.

Aims and targets

- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)

- Target group

- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)

The project was entitled „Let’s build together”. The project was implemented within the framework of the EQUAL programme and covered the validation of competences in two professions: Gas installation fitter and Sanitary installation fitter. The project allowed for the development of a procedure for the validation of competences and 200 people were able to validate their competence and qualifications.

2. Implementation

Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)

- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)

- Implementation (description)

Experience gathered in the area of validating competences contributed to the implementation of two further projects: „Specialist with a degree” and „Specialist with a degree 2”.
Within the framework of the „Specialist with a degree” project implemented in 2009-2010 a vocational degree or a master degree in following professions could be obtained: Upholsterer and Carpenter.
Within the framework of the second project people could validate their competences in 8 professions: Concrete placer/reinforcement fitter, electrician, gas installation fitter, stonemason, carpenter, upholsterer, technician of furnishing works in the construction sector.

Monitoring and evaluation

- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?

- What actors are involved?

3. Outcomes

Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)

- Specific results

- Cost effectiveness

- Budget

- Innovative aspects

In 2008-2009 a two-year project of innovation transfer was implemented in Poland, entitled: „Towards a Qualified Construction Workforce for Poland”.

Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)

- Lessons learnt

- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Role (in policy initiative)

Organization name

Address

Phone

Fax

E-mail

Website address

No links specified.

Documents and publications

Attached files

Links

No links specified.

This information was provided/updated by:

Paulina Bogdanska

No comments by users.

good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, access, qualifications, Poland

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

The Hungarian LLG Council and LLG System development

Country

Hungary

I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database

1. Background

What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?

- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)

- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)

- Participants

In Hungary there is no official central ownership of guidance issues. While guidance activities and development are overseen by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (Szociális és Munkaügyi Minisztérium), the Ministry of Education and Culture (Oktatási és Kulturális Minisztérium) is also a key actor in the field. However, the two ministries do not have a long term strategic agreement on the issue. On the other hand, neither the citizens, nor the employers have a clear idea of the aims, methods or the benefits of guidance, counselling and vocational orientation.

Since the establishment of the European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network (ELGPN) at EU level, national developments have pushed ahead. The Hungarian LLG Council (Nemzeti Pályaorientációs Tanács, NPT) was founded in January 2008 and in September of the same year a new national programme was launched in the framework of the Social Renewal Operational Programme (Társadalmi Megújulás Operatív Programja, TÁMOP) of the New Hungary Development Plan (Új Magyarország Fejlesztési Terv, ÚMFT) 2007-2013 which includes the development of a new national LL guidance network.

The national LLL strategy (2005) as well as the National Reform Programme (2008-2010) also specifies the development of some elements of career guidance activities but a policy document was elaborated by the new Hungarian LLG Council.

Aims and targets

- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)

- Target group

- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)

The main aim of the national council is to develop and promote a framework for lifelong guidance policy. The work of the council is strongly related with the national development programme for LLG System in Hungary. According the Hungarian Government decision (2007) this programme was designed for the 7 years period of the NSRF (2007-2013) and cover 22,6 millions EUR total. Within this main aim the subtasks are the followings:
1. unifying the meaning of career guidance within the educational and employment, social regulations in national level
2. re-establish and also reinterpretat policy mechanism in the field of career guidance after the 70’s
3. develop an unified regulation for career guidance and also develop the financing mechanism
4. develop a cross-sectoral common understanding in the field of lifelong guidance/ carrier education and career counselling
5. develop a web-based unified cadastre for career counselling professionals and for other professionals whose are working in related fields (i.e. teachers, social workers etc.)
6. develop unified guidelines for career counselling professionals
7. upskilling professionals for LLG
7a. offering in-service trainings at two different levels:
- for career counselling professionals
- and for professionals in the related fields
7b. develop tools for all age guidance
7c. publishing a new review (Életpálya Tanácsadás) for the professional community
7d. widening access for career guidance services as a common project of different stakeholders

2. Implementation

Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)

- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)

- Implementation (description)

SROP 2.2.2. under the professional supervision of the NPT implementing a numerous new features in the field of career guidance. The main items within the first 2 year-long period are:
- Development a new toolkit for career guidance professional (questioners for all-age services, web based databank)
- Get together the professionals and the related professionals of career guidance
- Provide in-service training for 2000 people whose working in related professions
- Provide 2 year-long post-graduate diploma for career guidance professionals as widening the network of trained professionals
- Develop a national and regional network of the professionals

The programme SROP 2.2.2 supports development in the areas of IT and methodology. In the area of IT development, the development of a new national guidance portal is envisaged, targeting the youth, adults and professionals/experts, with the aim of providing integrated, up to date, and user friendly information related to education and the labour market. The webpage would also offer a portal for the career guidance professionals, where they could reach all the information and tools regarding the project. It has four main functions:
- Social networking
- Knowledgebase
- Special functions: online storage of counselling case diaries, nameless statistical treatment of their facts, tools that make possible to analyse the offline questionnaires

Monitoring and evaluation

- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?

- What actors are involved?

The first round of monitoring will be carried out in 2010 before than end of the first phase. Internal evaluation is must of the Hungarian Development Agency (NDA) and the National Agency of European Social Fund. Four internal evaluations are compulsory within these 2 years:
- May 2009
- October 2009
- May 2010
- December 2010

NDA and ESA Agency are monitoring the programme outcomes. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour will get a professional summery before the second programme proposal will be submitted to the National Development Agency Human Resources Managing Authority till June 2010.

Two independent external evaluations are also planed within this period.
- one in policy context,
- another for measuring the performance of the 50 career counsellors’ activates working in the programme

3. Outcomes

Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)

- Specific results

- Cost effectiveness

- Budget

- Innovative aspects

Project indicators and their status:
- Number of clients receiving guidance services - base: 30 000 persons/year, aim: 40 000 persons/year, status: achieved (2009)
- Trained persons (from the fields related to guidance) - base: 0, aim: 2000 persons, status: in progress
- Number of persons who successfully finished trainings - base: 0, aim: 1900 persons, status: in progress
- User satisfaction of clients included in guidance activities - base: N/A, aim: + 20%, status: in progress
- Persons attended in post-gradual trainings - base: 0, aim: 50 persons, status: achieved
- Newly developed occupation folders - base: 202, aim: 302, status: in progress
- Updated occupation folders - base: 172, aim: 222, status: in progress
- Newly developed training materials (and courses) - base: 0, aim: 10, status: achieved
- Newly developed occupation films - base: 344, aim: 364, status: in progress
- Unique visitors of the newly developed national guidance portal - base: 223 200 visitor/year, aim: 268 000 visitor/year, status: achieved (2009)

Budget: 2,08 Bn HUF - 7,8 M EUR - is to be used in the first 2 years.

Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)

- Lessons learnt

- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)

A strong professional view of the programme management and the international developments (ie. EU Resolutions 2004, 2008, EU-OECD 2004. ILO 2006. UNESCO 2002 publications etc.) help in the implementation period.

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

Lack of evidence of the real economic impact of career guidance and a very segmented human resources development system make the ongoing development and further implementation very fragile. Lack of national resources for the maintaining of the ESA founded development is also an important issue, especially after 2013/2014 for the next development period (2014-2020) of the EU. A national level and cross-sectoral unfiled re-regulation of this field is essential for the success and the marinating of the developments.

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Borbély-Pecze, Tibor Bors, NPT

Role (in policy initiative)

Secretary of NPT

Organization name

Nemzeti Pályaorientációs Tanács

Address

Nemzeti Pályaorientációs Tanács Titkársága Foglalkoztatási és Szociális Hivatal (Borbély-Pecze Tibor Bors, titkár) Budapest Kálvária tér 7. 1089 Hungary

Phone

+36.30.216.0095

Fax

+36.1.459.2099

E-mail

beneiv@lab.hu; borbelytibor@lab.hu

Website address

http://internet.afsz.hu/engine.aspx?page=full_kulfoldi_palyaor_eu_magyar_llg_tanacs

Documents and publications

Attached files

Links

http://internet.afsz.hu/resource.aspx?resourceid=full_kulfoldi_palyaor_eu_magyar_llg_szakpol_ang

This information was provided/updated by:

BORBÉLY-PECZE Tibor Bors

No comments by users.

ELGPN, good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, national development, LLG system development, cadastre, career guidance counsellor, ICT, effectiveness, national standard development, education policy, PES, cross policy coordination, training of the guidance professionals, access, quality, co-operation, co-ordination, guidance in schools, unemployed, employed, older adults, career information, qualifications, Hungary

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Transfer of Innovative Methodology for Assessment of VET Teachers’ Prior Learning

Country

Lithuania

I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database

1. Background

What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?

- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)

- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)

- Participants

In three partner countries – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – there are modular study programmes based on the acquisition of competencies, but there is no possibility for VET teachers to assess and recognize their non-formal and informal learning achievements. Project activities and results will promote the development of VET teachers’ education system by establishing the methodology for the assessment of the prior (non-formal and informal) learning and the study module based on this methodology. The possibility to recognize non-formal and informal learning achievements would increase the access to formal education and personalize studies for VET teachers, having practice and pedagogical experience, but having no formal teaching qualification.

Aims and targets

- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)

- Target group

- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)

The aim of the project is to enrich the existing VET teachers’ education programmes in three partner countries – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia by developing introductory module for Assessment of Prior Learning (APL). The possibility to recognize non-formal and informal learning achievements will increase the access to formal education and personalize studies for VET teachers, having practice and pedagogical experience, but having no formal teaching qualification. Expected project results:
• study of APL in VET teachers’ education systems in partner countries;
• methodology for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning, basing on “donor” – partner (Jyvaskyla University of Applied Sciences) experience;
• study module for assessors of VET teachers’ prior learning developed and tested in partner countries;
• trained groups of assessors of VET teachers’ prior learning in three partner countries – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia;
• introductory module for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning developed and tested in partner countries.
Target groups:
•VET teacher educators.
•VET teachers.
•Researchers of education.
•Education policy makers.

2. Implementation

Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)

- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)

- Implementation (description)

Monitoring and evaluation

- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?

- What actors are involved?

3. Outcomes

Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)

- Specific results

- Cost effectiveness

- Budget

- Innovative aspects

•A study of APL in VET teacher education systems in partner countries (EN) (LT) (LV) (EE)
•Methodology for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning (EN) (LT) (LV) (EE)
•Study module for assessors of VET teachers’ prior learning
◦Handbook (EN) (LT) (LV) (EE)
◦Study module description (EN) (LT) (LV) (EE)
•Trained groups of assessors in three partner countries (LT, LV, EE).
•Introductory module for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning
◦Handbook for APL candidates (EN) (LT) (LV) (EE)
•Special issue of scientific journal "Quality of Higher Education"
The material is available on-line: http://projects.ambernet.lt/timabalt/en/7415

Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)

- Lessons learnt

- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Aušra Fokienė

Role (in policy initiative)

Project manager

Organization name

Vytautas Magnus University, Centre for Quality of Studies

Address

S. Daukanto st. 27-314, LT-44249 Kaunas, Lithuania

Phone

0037037327973

Fax

0037037327973

E-mail

a.fokiene@skc.vdu.lt

Website address

http://projects.ambernet.lt/timabalt/en/7415

Documents and publications

•A study of APL in VET teacher education systems in partner countries
•Methodology for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning
•Study module for assessors of VET teachers’ prior learning
◦Handbook
◦Study module description
•Trained groups of assessors in three partner countries
•Introductory module for assessment of VET teachers’ prior learning
◦Handbook for APL candidates
A special issue of the scientific journal The Quality of Higher Education No. 6 - http://skc.vdu.lt/index.php/en/journal/archive/no6
All documents and publications are available in LV, LT, EE and EN languages online: http://projects.ambernet.lt/timabalt/en/7415

Attached files

Links

http://projects.ambernet.lt/timabalt/en/7415

This information was provided/updated by:

Euroguidance LT

No comments by users.

good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, competence assessment, competence recognition, competence-based qualifications, competences, continuing education, education planning, education provision, educational development, evaluation of informal learning, evaluation of non-formal learning, further vocational qualifications, lifelong learning, quality, validation of non-formal and informal learning, valuation process, vocational education and training, vocational studies teacher, vocational teacher education college, career management skills, co-operation, tertiary education, employed, qualifications, effectiveness, Lithuania

Term

Portfolio

Definition

A portfolio is designed to be a record of the competences (skills, knowledge and abilities) and experiences of an individual. It may list formal qualifications or include examples of work as well as recording training courses, work experience and non-work activities undertaken by the individual.

Comment

The development of portfolios is an increasingly common career education activity in schools and universities.

Source

Attached files

Links

This information was provided/updated by:

 

No comments by users.

ELGPN Glossary, competences, skills, knowledge, qualifications, work, record

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Development and Elaboration of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS)

Country

Lithuania

I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database

1. Background

What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?

- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)

- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)

- Participants

Main problems and challenges before the start of the project:
– The need of further development of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS) portal (www.aikos.smm.lt) in order to improve it’s usability, user-friendliness, appropriateness to different target groups, to ensure accuracy of information, to introduce on-line career information services. The need to develop and ensure effective interconnection of AIKOS and PLOTEUS II (Portal on Learning Opportunities throughout the European Space).
– The need to broaden the existing network of career information services by establishing 640 new Career Information Points (CIP).

Aims and targets

- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)

- Target group

- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)

The project had two main objectives:
1. elaboration of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS).
2. developing of the career information system facilities and establishing the network of Career Information Points (CIP).

Direct beneficiaries – students of general education, vocational education and higher education schools, career advisors, teachers. Indirect beneficiaries – all citizens interested in learning opportunities.

Methodologies and tools: applying IT technolgies, making research, creating models.

2. Implementation

Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)

- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)

- Implementation (description)

1. Development of the elaborated AIKOS portal programme equipment (new functional components, new contents produced according to the Standard – descriptions of occupations, qualifications, study programmes, other)
2. Development of the model of establishing the network of Career Information Points in the country. Establishing the CIP’S in the general schools, vocational schools, libraries, labour exchanges, prisons, etc. Equiping the CIP’s with the computors and other office facilities.

Monitoring and evaluation

- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?

- What actors are involved?

The main indicators are:
1. number of the new AIKOS portal functional components and new content items (e.g. number of the descriptions of occupations, etc.).
2. number of the instititions in which the Career Information Points were established.

The Ministry had contracted the IT company (JSC “Sintagma”) for the development of the AIKOS portal, this company worked together with the project partner – Centre of Informations Technologies of Education.
The Ministry worked in cooperation with the 60 municipalities in order to ensure the establishment of the network of Career Information Points in the country.

3. Outcomes

Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)

- Specific results

- Cost effectiveness

- Budget

- Innovative aspects

1. New programme equipment of the Open Information, Counselling and Guidance System (AIKOS) portal.
2. 640 Career Information Points established in various institutions.

Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)

- Lessons learnt

- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

The main strength – usability of project results, free and easy access of the AIKOS portal and the network of Career Information Points for the beneficiaries (various groups of users).
The main weakness – need to find financial resoursces for persistent mainteneance of the AIKOS portal and support of the established Career Information Points.

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Aleksandra Sokolova

Role (in policy initiative)

Representative from the The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania in regard with the information about the Project

Organization name

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania

Address

A. Volano g. 2/7, LT-01516, Vilnius

Phone

00370 5 219 1190

Fax

00370 5 261 2077

E-mail

Aleksandra.Sokolova@smm.lt

Website address

http://www.smm.lt/es_parama/projektai/smm_projektai/projektas_%20aikos.htm

Documents and publications

General information about the project (in Lithuanian) and it’s results is available on the official web-site of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania (www.smm.lt)
Direct link to the poject’s information:
http://www.smm.lt/es_parama/projektai/smm_projektai/projektas_%20aikos.htm

Attached files

Links

http://www.smm.lt/es_parama/projektai/smm_projektai/projektas_%20aikos.htm; http://www.smm.lt

This information was provided/updated by:

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania and Euroguidance

No comments by users.

good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, guidance, career management skills, access, quality, guidance in schools, people at risk, tertiary education, unemployed, employed, older adults, disadvantaged groups, career information, qualifications, Lithuania

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

The approach to Early School Leaving in the Netherlands

Country

the Netherlands

I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database

1. Background

What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?

- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)

- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)

- Participants

Tackling the problem of early school leaving is one of the priorities of the European Commission. Currently,
1 in 7 young Europeans leave school early without gaining a basic qualification. The aim is to reduce the
average percentage of early school leavers from 14.1% to less than 10% by 2020. This will involve all young
people aged between 18 and 25 who are not undertaking education/training. Measured according to the
European definition, the Dutch target is 8% in 2020. The Rutte-Verhagen Government has decided on a
more ambitious target than that for the EU, namely a maximum of 25,000 early school leavers by 2016.
The Netherlands compares well with other European countries. In 2010, the European average fell from
17.6% to 14.1%. In the Netherlands, the figures for 2010 again showed a decrease, from 15.4% in 2000 to
10.9% in 2009 and to 10.1% in 2010, making the country one of Europe’s leaders in tackling the early school
leaving problem. Better cooperation between the EU Member States, exchange of know‑how, best practices,
and focussed use of EU funding can help solve the problem.
Early School Leaving in the Netherlands – Pupils leaving school early – is an economic, social, and individual problem. Each young person has his or her own aims, wishes and ambitions, and having a good education increases the likelihood of achieving them. The Dutch knowledge economy requires well-educated employees, while Dutch society also finds itself confronted by dejuvenation and the ageing of the population, with the pressure on the labour market consequently increasing.
Tackling the problem of pupils leaving school early is one of the priorities of the Dutch government implemented by the “Drive to Reduce Drop-out Rates” approach. The Dutch target is to have no more than 25,000 new early school leavers each year by 2016.

Aims and targets

- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)

- Target group

- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)

In 2010, the Rutte-Verhagen Government tightened up the target, setting it at a maximum of 25,000 new early school leavers by 2016. Efforts to achieve the new, tighter target will primarily be based on what has been achieved so far. This is why that policy will continue to be pursued: systematic improvements in education, support from the youth care, public safety and employment sectors, closer monitoring, and
stricter enforcement. These measures, combined with close coordination by the municipalities, have led to success. It is
an approach that requires long-term policy and the certainty of structured, long-term funding. To achieve the 25,000
target, long-term performance agreements and transparent figures have again been decided on. The motto continues to be “prevention is better than cure”.
Continuing the approach means:
* New agreements for 2012-2015; regional cooperation;
* Truancy policy: improvements are still possible. Agreements with those in the field;
* Improved education, specifically at secondary vocational education levels 3 and 4;
* Early school leaving figures: clear and more thorough;
* Continuous learning pathway from pre-vocational secondary education to secondary vocational education;
* Focus on first year of secondary vocational education;
* Integrated approach by the youth care, public safety, and the labour market

2. Implementation

Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)

- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)

- Implementation (description)

In 2011, the Netherlands set a new and ambitious objective: maximum 25,000 new early school leavers in 2016. To achieve this objective, the current approach will be sustained and strengthened where necessary. The five key measures are:

1. Adequate and complete non-attendance and ESL registration.

2. Long-term performance covenants between the government, municipalities and schools. Schools are held to strict percentage targets and receive a performance bonus if they reduce ESL.

3. 39 regions throughout the country will work together to implement measures to combat ESL. The regions will receive funding to develop policies themselves. Good examples are actively promoted online and during regional and national conferences.

4. Extra facilities for vulnerable youth: a combination of regular education with care and support and vocational training if necessary.

5. In secondary vocational education: intensification of first year teaching, close pupil supervision and career guidance.

Monitoring and evaluation

- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?

- What actors are involved?

The report The approach to Early School Leaving Policy in the Netherlands and the provisional figures of the 2010-2011 performance agreements http://www.aanvalopschooluitval.nl/userfiles/file/2012/2012026_OCW_VSV_UK-versie_VSV_beleid_LR_internet.pdf gives extensive information on monitoring and evaluation

3. Outcomes

Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)

- Specific results

- Cost effectiveness

- Budget

- Innovative aspects

At national level, there were 38,600 new ESL’s between 1 October 2010 and 1 October 2011. This figure is based on more accurate records than previously.1 The national ESL percentage for the 2010-2011 school year has fallen to 2.9%. At secondary schools (VO), that figure has fallen to 1.0% and at schools for (senior) secondary vocational education (MBO) to 7.2%.
None of the regions saw a rise in the number of ESL’s compared to 2005-2006.

Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)

- Lessons learnt

- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)

The consistent theme of the Dutch approach is the collaboration between the ‘golden triangle’ of the government, municipalities and schools. Together they are responsible for reducing ESL numbers. This collaboration is set down in long-term covenants per region, while the national government initiates, stimulates and co-ordinates.
At the regional level, the approach begins with the day to day assurance of quality education and effective organisation. Inspiring teachers, challenging lessons, reliable schedules, a smooth transition to the labour market, pupils’ self-confidence: these all play a role in motivating pupils to stay at school. Moreover, we approach ESL not only as an educational issue, but as a social issue too. Pupils are frequently faced with various social problems that affect their performance at school, such as debt, addiction or neglect. To combat these issues, schools offer their pupils care tailored to individual needs. More investment in career guidance helps pupils to choose follow-up programmes that offer them realistic perspectives and match their talents.

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

The collaboration between the ‘golden triangle’ of the government, municipalities and schools is one of the succes factors. Another success factor of the Dutch approach is the reliable Student Number registration system. This makes it possible to track exactly who leaves school and when, so that immediate and targeted action can be taken if necessary.

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

EU Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou had this to say about the Dutch approach: “Tackling early school leaving is a challenge because it means so many sectors have to work together. In most Member States, this does not yet happen in a systematic way, though some countries such as the Netherlands show the way forward.”. A number of European countries have expressed an interest in the integrated approach and accurate record-keeping system adopted by the Netherlands.

Additional information

Name of contact

Martine Soethout

Role (in policy initiative)

Projectsecretaris

Organization name

Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap. Directie Voortijdig Schoolverlaten (VSV)

Address

Phone

Fax

E-mail

m.m.f.soethout@minocw.nl

Website address

http://www.aanvalopschooluitval.nl/english

Documents and publications

1. Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (2012). The approach to Early School Leaving Policy in the Netherlands and the provisional figures of the 2010-2011 performance agreements
http://www.aanvalopschooluitval.nl/userfiles/file/2012/2012026_OCW_VSV_UK-versie_VSV_beleid_LR_internet.pdf

2. Van Bijsterveldt, Marja. Preventing Early School Leaving: the Secret of the Dutch Approach. Government Gazette. http://governmentgazette.eu/?p=3701

Attached files

Links

No links specified.

This information was provided/updated by:

Peter van Deursen

No comments by users.

good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, early school leaving, career management skills, evidence-based policy, co-operation, guidance in schools, people at risk, qualifications, The Netherlands

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Partnership based URIHO's model of CMS for persons with disability in Croatia

Country

Croatia

I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database

1. Background

What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?

- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)

- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)

- Participants

According to conducted researches (UNDP/CES research 2007) and monitoring of labour market situation in Croatia it is visible that persons with disabilities have difficulties to enter open labour market because of their inadequate educational structure, lack of work experience and long term unemployment what additionally decrease their employability because of disuse of professional knowledge and diminished motivation. Prejudices of employers and general public about their working abilities also contribute to their hard placement on open labour market.
The Strategy on Equalization of Possibilities for Persons with disabilities in Croatia (2007-2015) among others states: “to allow access to career management for persons with disabilities...to develop new employment models for persons with disabilities”.

Croatian Employment Service in cooperation with URIHO (organization for rehabilitation), Fond for vocational rehabilitation and local communities have developed model to enhance the employability of unemployed persons with disabilities by improving their career management skills using tailor made work-related and social activities.

Aims and targets

- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)

- Target group

- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)

The objective of established new model of professional rehabilitation is to enhance the employability of persons with disabilities by improving their career management skills using tailor made work-related and social activities. Target groups of participants are long-term unemployed persons with disabilities and in smaller extent other vulnerable and marginalized groups.

2. Implementation

Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)

- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)

- Implementation (description)

New model includes activities which take place in group settings, individual sessions and social-related activities - assessment and upgrading of their vocational competences, their key competences - communication in mother tongue, mathematical and digital competences, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship; social skills, job-searching skills including how to write CV-s, knowledge and skills needed for their interview with potential employer. They also have possibility for self-evaluation by using “My Choice” - career guidance software. In addition, individual counseling on career possibilities leads towards improving their career management skills. Group work is organized once a week (1, 5 hour) and is focused on themes such as: communication and presentation skills, non-violent conflict resolution, recognition and expression of emotions, stress management, decision- making, creative and critical thinking, building effective relationships, team work, self-assessment, ect. Group work is based on interactive approach which includes group discussions, role plays, working in pairs, presentations.

The described model of professional rehabilitation has started as model at national level followed by setting up similar regional professional rehabilitation centers.

Monitoring and evaluation

- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?

- What actors are involved?

The evaluation of this programme proves that after 6 months participants improve their working potential including different aspects related to career management skills.

Croatian Employment Service is involved in process of monitoring the participants’ progress, conducting evaluation of the program and works on improvement of this form of vocational rehabilitation along with the other partners. Additionally, new model of professional rehabilitation contributed to the increased level of cooperation among all partners: Croatian Employment Service, URIHO (Institution for Rehabilitation of Persons With Disability by Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment), the City of Zagreb and Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of People with Disabilities.

3. Outcomes

Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)

- Specific results

- Cost effectiveness

- Budget

- Innovative aspects

Participants have learnt how to write CV, how to make active job search and effective interview with potential employer. They have improved their career management skills through self-evaluation techniques, by using “My Choice” career guidance software, individual and group counseling. According to the survey and follow up 45% of unemployed persons with disabilities who used URIHO facilities found their jobs on open labor market.

Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)

- Lessons learnt

- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)

The main factors which led to success of this model were: improved vertical and horizontal communication between all key players who were indispensable for CMS policy implementation. CMS policy implementation was incremental and gradual due to bottom up process which relayed on constant observation and assessment of needs of participants involved in the activities of professional rehabilitation.

The factors that hindered success were unclear legislation regulations about participant’s compensations during the rehabilitation process which influenced their motivation. This issue was resolved through communication with the relevant ministry.

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Mirjana Zećirević

Role (in policy initiative)

Head, Employment Preparation Department

Organization name

Croatian Employment Service

Address

Radnička cesta 1, 10 000 Zagreb

Phone

+385 1612 6091

Fax

+385 1612 6039

E-mail

mirjana.zecirevic@hzz.hr

Website address

www.hzz.hr

Documents and publications

Attached files

Links

No links specified.

This information was provided/updated by:

 

No comments by users.

good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, assessment, key competences, self-evaluation, vocational rehabilitation, disabled, Croatia, adult education, employment, social inclusion, people at risk, unemployed, disadvantaged groups, career information, qualifications, effectiveness

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

National Quality System for Guidance Provision - Portugal

Country

Portugal

I am proposing that this example will be published also in the KSLLL database

1. Background

What makes this an example of good/interesting practice/initiative/policy?

- The motivation of the initiative (What is the history/background of the policy?)

- Linkages with LLG policy priorities (Please add references to other national/EU policies or documents)

- Participants

The present initiative stands as the first articulated attempt to create a fully comprehensive system of quality assurance for guidance activity in Portugal.
Although previous measures existed, providing the quality of instruments and methods used in PES-supplied guidance, as well as basic training for professionals, there was a clear need for a more integrated instrument, with adequate monitoring tools.
Given its institutional mission of assuring the adaptability and adequacy of guidance provision, the national public employment service, IEFP, has taken initiative in establishing a national standard, which will also account for the visions of an advisory network of relevant participants.
Other entities will be enrolled in the project to guarantee diffusion and improvement of standards, namely: the Portuguese Ministry of Education; Universities with research on guidance; professional/scientific associations; inter-national structures.

Aims and targets

- Objectives of the initiative (What did the policy set out to achieve?)

- Target group

- Methods applied to reach the objective (technological and /or pedagogical)

The objectives of the initiative can be resumed in three main points:

- Gaining efficacy and efficiency in guidance provision through implementation and constant check of clear standards, measures and practises
- Increasing autonomy of citizens in establishing critical learning and labour pathways, both by competence building and ease of access
- Sponsoring innovation through systematic research on critical factors in guidance for employability and job stability/success

The end target of the system is the guidance user, although we can also consider both guidance professionals and employment/educational service managers as being targeted by the measures undertaken.
The system is implemented by understanding guidance activity as part of a value chain and acting upon the phases of that chain, considering inputs, process and outputs. Primarily is considered the intervention of the PES and its creation of public value and economic spillovers.
Up-date of instruments, improvement of registry tools, accessibility, competence-assessment and of management information supports and fluxes are part of the methodology, affecting all aspects of guidance provision (materials, contents, technology).

2. Implementation

Strategy and actions (Please describe the approach adopted to make the reform work and any actions taken.)

- Level of implementation (national, regional etc.)

- Implementation (description)

The system has a national scope and is sustained in an incremental and progressive logic. Firstly, its scope is the operation of the PES services with a test run in some of its main job and training centres. Secondly, the initiative should be generalised to the full PES network. A third step should enable the adjusted diffusion of the system to different sectors and networks, namely education and private operators. As early as step two, the standard is to be shared and discussed in a advisory forum of external participants.
Common standards and information tools are already under development.
Some key measures to undertake are:
- Set periodic updates and testing of diagnosis tools, guidance methodologies, information supports, on-line contents/tools
- Improvement of registry and information transitions that allows for interchangibility of user information while guarantying users' rights
- Improvement of accessibility by development of comprehensive e-guidance tools and the improvement of information to disabled people (paper and online) and immigrant users
- Set evaluation and update of guidance professionals' competencies, with strict standards and ethical conduct
- Development of adequate tools for the follow-up of guidance users
- Balanced score-cards for guidance management and multi-level modelling of supervised

Monitoring and evaluation

- What has been put in place for monitoring and evaluation?

- What actors are involved?

Monitoring and evaluation is primarily undertaken by the Guidance Directorate of IEFP in articulation with other network participants.
A monitoring mechanism has been established, measuring the efficacy of the planned measures affecting inputs and process as well as a system of indicators aimed at measuring impact variables.
Input variables are monitored through direct control of measures and by user enquiring.
Process/organisation variables are monitored by tools' assessment, management enquiring and technical staff enquiring.
Outputs are monitored by follow-up of PES users (with and without guidance), defining samples that have as basic statistical unit the job/training centres. Follow-up focus on job stability/success, job mobility, autonomy assessment (labour and education), educational success, labour market queuing, entrepreneurship capacities.
A balanced scorecard has been defined with all the assessment dimensions deemed relevant.
A statistical modelling process is being developed to enable research-based adjustments to guidance policy, using as a methodology multi-level analysis.

3. Outcomes

Achievements (Please describe the main outcomes/results according to the following headings. Each option can be answered - up to 50 words)

- Specific results

- Cost effectiveness

- Budget

- Innovative aspects

Specific results: only planning and tools have been developed
Cost effectiveness: progressive implementation and thigh instrument control should allow for low costs of project and improvement of present cost-result ratio in provision
Innovative aspects: Research-based approach

Success factors (What key success factors have led to or prevented success?)

- Lessons learnt

- Unintended impacts (Have there been any unintended impacts? Positive or negative?)

Strengths and weaknesses

- What areas of the policy can we learn lessons from?

- Are there still challenges ahead?

4. Additional narrative description of the policy/practice/initiative

Additional information

Name of contact

Pedro Moreno da Fonseca

Role (in policy initiative)

Organization name

IEFP

Address

Phone

Fax

E-mail

pedro.fonseca@iefp.pt

Website address

No links specified.

Documents and publications

Attached files

Links

No links specified.

This information was provided/updated by:

Pedro Moreno da Fonseca PhD

No comments by users.

ELGPN, good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, career management skills, access, quality, evidence-based policy, co-operation, guidance in schools, people at risk, unemployed, employed, disadvantaged groups, career information, qualifications, effectiveness, Portugal