1. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum - Project Work and Internship: impacts on labour market and society THE RECOGNITION OF ACQUIRED COMPETENCIES AS A MEASURE OF OCCUPATIONAL MOBILITY NICOLETTA PICCARDO - ARSEL

2. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum RECOGNITION OF ACQUIRED COMPETENCIES means in the Italian system accreditation and validation of prior learning (VPL)

3. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum The starting point of VPL is that initial training for a career no longer suffices. It is important to acknowledge that competences (knowledge, skills, attitude, aspirations) are constantly developing. This means recognizing that someone always and everywhere - consciously and unconsciously – learns through:

4. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum formal learning, which occurs in an organised and structured context (in a school/training centre or on the job) and is explicitly designated as learning (in terms of objectives, time or learning support). Formal learning is intentional from the learner’s point of view. It typically leads to qualification or certification.

5. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum non-formal learning, which is when learning is embedded in planned activities not explicitly designated for learning (in terms of learning objectives, learning time or learning support) but still rich of learning opportunities. Non- formal learning is intentional from the learner’s point of view. It typically does not lead to certification

6. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum informal learning, which results from daily work- related, family or leisure activities. It is not organised or structured (in terms of objectives, time or learning support). Informal learning is in most cases unintentional from the learner’s perspective. It typically does not lead to certification.

7. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum The issues of VPL and the Certification of Competencies, have only recently been prioritized in Italy

8. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum The issue was truly tackled with Law 28 June 2012, n. 92, which constitutes an important challenge for the certification of competences and for the role that Universities must play in this field

9. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum The current effort of national working groups is concentrated on the definition of a national inventory of professions, with the intention of moving on, immediately afterwards, to the definition of guidelines to make operative the right to certification of competencies.

10. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum In Italy, and in Regione Liguria, through the Regional Agency for Educational Services and Labour (Arsel), we are currently involved in the construction of the National Directory of professional profiles, closely linked to the issue of certification of skills, provided by Legislative decree 13/2013.

11. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum The Regional/National Directory of professional profiles must be conceived as a mean, not an end, as its role is of an infrastructure is evident when looking at the many tools and resources for the attainment of the expected goals

12. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum Although it has been developed for building an national integrated system consistent with European strategies, it is now an essential tool for supporting both national and regional planning for educational and employment services on the one hand while it provides crucial information to individuals as it allows self-evaluation of skills and competencies as compared to market needs for different professions and the need for transversal “soft skills” such as adaptability, self-determination, reactivity, biographic skills, ability to discover new opportunities, self-effectiveness, etc.

13. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum Although it has been developed for building an national integrated system consistent with European strategies, it is now an essential tool for supporting both national and regional planning for educational and employment services on the one hand while it provides crucial information to individuals as it allows self-evaluation of skills and competencies as compared to market needs for different professions and the need for transversal “soft skills” such as adaptability, self-determination, reactivity, biographic skills, ability to discover new opportunities, self-effectiveness, etc.

14. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum If VPL is the result of a system that is shared out at national level and standards are set according to the The Regional/National Directory of professional profiles, many benefits are evident as of the following outcomes:

15. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum -shortened learning pathways to achieving/completing formal certificates; -greater opportunities for the recognition and certification of work and educational experiences; -increased motivation / self-esteem / confidence; -more opportunities for individualised training / career planning; -increased transferability of competences; -a better understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses, to inform career development; -a means of better presenting oneself to employers.

16. PRAXIS’14 Open Discussion forum Thank you for your attention elisabetta.garbarino@arsel.liguria.it nicoletta.piccardo@ticass.it