European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network Database, ELGPN Database

Subject of the Policy document

EUROPE 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth

Reference data

Adopted/Released by European Commission

Year of adoption 2010

Reference number COM(2010) 2020 final

Available at http:// http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/documents/related-document-type/index_en.htm

Available in English at http:// http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2010:2020:FIN:EN:PDF

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

While the strategy makes no explicit reference to lifelong guidance, the paper and its flagship initiatives (Youth on the Move, The Agenda for New Skills and Jobs, Innovation Union, and A European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion) emphasise the active role of citizens' acquisition of lifelong career management skills.

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Outi Ruusuvirta

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ELGPN, legislation, policy, access, adult education, ageing population, career guidance, co-operation, communication, drop-out, early childhood education, higher education, informal learning, non-formal learning, schools, strategy, tertiary education, VET, vocational education, mobility, modernisation, European union, career management skills, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, employment, social inclusion

Subject of the Policy document

Draft Council Resolution on a renewed European agenda for adult learning

Reference data

Adopted/Released by Council of the European Union

Year of adoption 2011

Reference number 16743/11

Available at http:// http://ec.europa.eu/education/news/news3142_en.htm

Available in English at http:// http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/11/st16/st16743.en11.pdf

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

The resolution welcomes the already achieved improvement in guidance services for adults (p. 5) and "encourage[s]the development of effective lifelong guidance systems, as well as integrated systems for the validation of non-formal and informal learning" (p. 8).
Bearing in mind the Europe 2020 Goals, member states are invited to focus on "... developing comprehensive and easily accessible information and guidance systems, complemented by effective outreach strategies aimed at raising awareness and motivation among potential learners, with specific focus on disadvantaged groups, early school leavers, young people not in education, employment or training (EETs), low qualified adults, particularly those with literacy difficulties, and followed up with second-chance opportunities leading to a recognised EQF level qualification." (p. 13).
The resolution also highlights "the learning needs of people with disabilities and people in specific situations of exclusion from learning, such as those in hospitals, care homes and prisons, and providing them with adequate guidance support." (p. 16)

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Outi Ruusuvirta

No comments by users.

policy, access, adult education, companies, disadvantaged groups, group at risk, lifelong guidance, lifelong learning, learning outcome, learner responsibility, learner autonomy, lifelong guidance systems, validation, informal learning, non-formal learning, key competencies, European Qualifications Framework, flexibility, in-company training, re-skilling, up-skilling, second chance, second chance opportunities, open method of coordination, workplace-based learning, employer, flexible learning pathways, quality assurance, active ageing, intergenerational, ICT, data and knowledge on adult learning, disability, people with disabilities, European union, resolution, career management skills, quality assurance and evidence-base, employment, social inclusion

Name of the good/interesting practice/initiative/policy

Quality assurance through a training curriculum for guidance practitioners in higher education in Germany by the university association for counsellors and guidance practitioners “Society for Information, Guidance and Therapy at Universities” (´´´GIBeT)

Country

Germany

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 professional status of guidance practitioners is not commonly regulated in Germany including in the Higher Education (HE) system. However, through the Bologna reforms and the increasing differentiations of HE, professional guidance services are becoming increasingly important in this sector. They are expected to support individual study choices and transitions from school to HE, provide transparency of the various study opportunities and avoid disorientation that result from the substantial changes whithin the German HE system. At the same time, universities are even more competing with each other and guidance is a quality criterion of services for students.

Higher qualifications for counsellors in HE have already been recommended by the German Rector´s Conference (HRK) in order to support the Bologna reforms (HRK, 1994). Now, the ´´´GIBeT training curriculum comes at a time when quality and professionalism of guidance are high on the agenda in Germany as well as in Europe. The EU Council Resolutions on guidance 2004 and 2008, European developments e.g. in the ELGPN, ERASMUS and national developments significantly forced the establishment of a professional and quality standard in guidance services.

Guidance in HE is further competing to support the EU2020 goals: reduce drop-out, increase participation in higher education and raise the number of graduates in natural sciences and engineering. These objectives however may only be reached if guidance practitioners have the necessary skills and competences to provide services in high quality.

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 order to enhance the quality and professionalism of guidance services and counselling in HE as well as to ensure the professional status of practitioners through qualification and certification, the university counsellor’s association “Society for Information, Guidance and Therapy at Universities (´´´GIBeT)” developed a training curriculum for guidance practitioners in this field. Furthermore it encourages lifelong vocational education and training. And in general, the curriculum is intended to support the professionalisation and the standardisation of the job profile.

The training curriculum is directed at people providing educational counselling in institutions of HE. This involves all kinds of different professions e.g. pedagogical, psychological or socio-pedagogical professions.

The contents of the training curriculum are grounded in the tasks of the general guidance services in HE which are based in central counselling and guidance units in contrast to the faculty-based expert advisory on subject related matters. The curriculum defines a series of compulsory basic modules and a number of further specific modules from which counsellors may choose.

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)

Since 2009, the draft of the training curriculum, which was developed by some of the association’s board members, was broadly discussed within the ´´´GIBeT. In September 2011 the curriculum was finally passed by the general assembly which is constituted of practitioners working in educational
guidance and counselling in HE. The curriculum defines the structure for potential training programmes . In 2012 the training commission started its work to build up the relevant structures, to evaluate and accredit available training provisions and to include them in an online database. Being driven by a national professional association, the curriculum will be implemented on a national level. This offers flexible and decentralized training provisions as each practitioner can select what he or she needs. Courses of different training providers throughout Germany must be accredited by the training commission in order to be included in the database of training provisions.

Arranged in basic and advanced modules, the curriculum based programmes in the database involve courses on different aspects of counselling and guidance at universities: the education and labour system, pedagogical/ psychological theories, counselling competences, group and project management, information and cooperation and quality assurance. Practitioners may choose between two profiles according to their main professional tasks: „educational counselling” and „education management”..

Once counsellors successfully completed the related qualifications and trainings, they receive a certificate from the training commission. This is an individualized process in which informal and prior learning and experiences may also be examined and recognized by the training commission.

Monitoring and evaluation

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

- What actors are involved?

The training commission examines the training provisions according to the training curriculum and organises the implementation. Additionally, the commission is responsible for the further development of the training curriculum. Further, the training commission examines and decides upon the recognition of practitioner competences. The training commission is appointed for a period of two years by the executive board which is in turn elected by the members of the association.

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 present (summer 2012) the training commission is working on accreditation criteria for training providers. The online-database with accredited available training provisions will be published in autumn 2012. At the same time the recognition procedure for competences acquired in vocational practice will start.

Cost effectiveness is provided through a NGO approach.

Practitioners pay a low fee for the certificate and for the examination of prior and informal learning and experiences. Members of the ´´´GiBET receive a considerable discount while non-members also have to pay for access to the training provisions database.

The training curriculum of the ´´´GiBET is an innovative approach in a context with little regulation. The practitioners of the association decided as a form of self-regulation to define their own standards. Here practitioner’s competences become quality criteria of good student guidance services in HE.

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?)

Due to the bottom-up approach of this initiative which involved many practitioners, a high sense of identification is produced. There is a participative nature which will have a positive influence on the acceptance.

As a side effect, the online database including the accredited training provisions also improves transparency in the field of counsellor vocational education and training.

Strengths and weaknesses

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

- Are there still challenges ahead?

As the initiative is lacking governmental and legal reinforcement, implementation will take some time and will be more difficult. Therefore, the board continuously ensures the involvement of the members and their acceptance of the curriculum. In addition, communication and cooperation with other associations, the National Guidance Forum in Education, Career and Employment and the involvement in the Open Process of Coordination for Quality Development provides exchange and mutual recognition in the professional community.

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

Additional information

Name of contact

Anne Käther

Role (in policy initiative)

Speaker of the training commission

Organization name

Gesellschaft für Information, Beratung und Therapie an Hochschulen, ´´´GIBeT ( Society for Information, Guidance and Therapy at Universities)

Address

Fortbildungskommission Geschäftsstelle, c/o Universität Greifswald, Zentrale Studienberatung, Rubenowstraße 2, 17489 Greifswald

Phone

Fax

E-mail

fortbildungskommission@gibet.de

Website address

http://www.gibet.de/fortbildungszertifikat.html

Documents and publications

http://www.gibet.de/fortbildungszertifikat/ordnungen.html

Attached files

Links

http://www.gibet.de/fortbildungszertifikat/fortbildungsdatenbank.html

This information was provided/updated by:

Bernhard Jenschke

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good practice, initiative, interesting practice, policy, accreditation, associations, best practice, career counsellor, career counselling, career guidance, competence recognition, counsellor training, Europe 2020, Germany, higher education, guidance practitioner, guidance provision, national curriculum framework, professional development, professional improvement and retraining, professionality, qualification, quality, quality assurance, student advising, student counselling, study adviser, tertiary education, training module, training of the guidance professionals, training programmes, validation, informal learning, non-formal learning

Subject of the Policy document

National Strategy Of Equalization Of Possibilities For Persons With Disabilities From The Year 2007 Till The Year 2015

Reference data

Adopted/Released by The Croatian Parliament

Year of adoption 2007

Reference number Official Gazette 63/07

Available at http:// narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2007_06_63_1962.html

Available in English at http://

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

2.3. Upbringing and education

Measure 3. To provide lifelong learning for persons with disabilities with the aim to facilitate the transition between phases of education and education and employment.
Carrier: Ministry of Science, Education and Sports
Co-carriers: Agency for Adult Education, Agency for Education and Training, Agency for Occupational Education, Croatian Employment Service, National Examination and Assessment Centre, local and regional self-government units, associations of persons with disabilities and associations dealing with programmes providing benefit to persons with disabilities.

Activities:
1. to draft a qualification framework of appropriate employments for persons with particular forms and degrees of disabilities acknowledging the demands of the labour market.
2. to develop evaluation of non-formal and informal learning
3. to encourage research on competences of young people with disabilities after primary and secondary education and compare them with competences required on the labour market
4. to provide lifelong professional informing and counselling of persons with disabilities


2.7. Professional rehabilitation, employment and labour

4. To provide access to professional orientation for persons with disabilities regardless of age, education and working status

Carrier: Croatian Employment Service and Ministry of Science, Education and Sports
Co-carriers: Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship, Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities, Agency for Vocational Education, Agency for Adult Education, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, regional professional rehabilitation centres, Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Croatian Employers' Association, Croatian Pension Insurance Institute, Croatian Institute for Public Health, associations of persons with disabilities and associations dealing with programmes providing benefits to persons with disabilities, institutions for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, professional rehabilitation and employment

Activities:
1. to identify persons with disabilities having the need for professional orientation by taking into account their age, education and working status
2. to establish services for professional orientation within the educational system
3. to educate professional orientation counsellors for counselling of persons with disabilities
4. networking of professional orientation services and regional professional rehabilitation centres

Implementation indicators:
1. the number of persons with disabilities identified and forwarded to professional orientation
2. established services for professional orientation of pupils within the educational system
3. the number of experts from various systems included in education
4. the number of persons included in professional rehabilitation

Attached files

This information was provided/updated by:

Croatian Employment Service (CES), Employment Preparation Department

No comments by users.

policy, career guidance, professional orientation, career guidance services, career guidance counsellor, schools, disabilities, Croatia, employment, labour market, upbringing, lifelong learning, local and regional self-government units, non-formal learning, evaluation, informal learning, competences, networking, rehabilitation centres, National level, Regional level, strategy, career management skills, access, co-operation and co-ordination, quality assurance and evidence-base, adult education, social inclusion

Subject of the Policy document

European guidelines for validating non-formal and informal learning

Reference data

Adopted/Released by Cedefop

Year of adoption 2009

Reference number Catalogue number: TI-78-09-692-EN-C, Number of publication: 4054 EN

Available at http:// http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/publications/5059.aspx

Available in English at http:// http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/Files/4054_en.pdf

1. Additional narrative description of the reference to Lifelong Guidance

The document describes the role of the counsellors in the validation process (p. 67).

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Outi Ruusuvirta

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policy, access, adult education, advisory services, assessment, career counselling, career management skills, Cedefop, informal learning, non-formal learning, quality assurance, validation of informal learning, validation of non-formal learning, guideline, quality assurance and evidence-base

Term

Lifelong learning

Definition

All learning activity undertaken throughout life, which results in improving knowledge, know-how, skills, competences and/or qualifications for personal, social and/or professional reasons.

Comment

Life-wide learning has been defined as learning, either formal, non-formal or informal, that takes place across the full range of life activities (personal, social or professional) and at any stage.

Source

Based on Cedefop (2004). Cedefop; Tissot, P. (2004). Terminology of vocational training policy – A multilingual glossary for an enlarged Europe. Luxembourg: Publications Office, 2004. Available from Internet: http://libserver.cedefop.eu.int/vetelib/eu/

Attached files

Links

http://libserver.cedefop.eu.int/vetelib/eu/

This information was provided/updated by:

 

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ELGPN Glossary, informal learning, lifelong, non-formal learning, skills, competences