OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS AS A BASIS FOR VET AND FOR ACCREDITATION OF NONFORMAL LEARNING HAPPY FARM, GLEISDORF, Urška Marentič, Department for occupational standards development

NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION NVQ is formally recognized on the basis of national vocational standards and acquired on the basis of verified education programmes or through the procedure for assessment and verification of national vocational qualifications.

2 WAYS OF ACQUIRING NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION Legal bases 1: ‘The Act on VET’ defines acquiring of the national vocational qualification through formal educational programmes and modules (Resposibility of Ministry of Education)

2 WAYS OF ACQUIRING NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION Legal bases 2: The “Act on National Occupational Qualifications” defines acquiring of the national vocational qualification through the procedure of assessment / accreditation of non-formal learning (Resposibility of Ministry of Labour)

PROCEDURE

SOCIAL PARTNERS z Trade unions z Chambers / employers’ organisations z Ministries

SECTORAL COMMITEES FOR OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS Composed of representatives of socials partnersGOALS: zDetermine the priorities in development of occupational standards z Give initiative to develop new or update existiting occupational standards (5 years) zFollows the procedure of development of occupational standards and adopts the documents zResponsible for a coherent qualification structure in sectors

JOB PROFILE z Detailed description of an occupation y tasks described in fields of work (ie planning, production, management …), level of profficiency, working conditions, possible areas of employment... z Prepared in cooperation with employers

OCCUPATIONAL STANDARD zDeveloped on the basis of job profile zDefines contents of national vocational qualification on a certain level of efficiency and defines knowledge, skills and vocational competence. Assures tranparency and quality of learning results.

AGRUMENTATION Presentation of the branch Labour market needs in the next 3-5 years International comparison Legal framework

PROPOSAL TO THE COUNCIL OF EXPERTS FOR VET When the social partners agree with the prepared standards and there is evident need for these occupations in the branch Sectpral committee for vocational standards composed of representatives of employers gives a positive opinion on the proposal The Council of Experts decides on preparation of educational programme or NOQ and proposes the standard to the Minister of Labour

PATHS TO THE SAME TARGET OCCUPATIONAL STANDARD VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION CERTIFICATE – EDUCATION + NVQ CATALOGUE OF STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS ACCREDITED ASSESSING AGENCIES ADULTS NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION NVQ CETIFICATE YOUTH/ADULTS

RECOGNITION AND VALIDATION Why recognition and validation? z Lifelong learning, adaptability and flexibility of the labour force z Mutual recognition of qualifications of citizens of EU member states z Flexible path to continuing education and training for employed and unemployed

CATALOGUES FOR NVQ Define attainment targets for one occupational qualification which can be acquired: y Acknowledged through personal portfolios of the candidate or y Assessed in actual work environment according to the methods and criteria defined in the catalogue

CERTIFICATION COMMISSION FOR ASSESSING AND CERTIFYING OF NVQ (for each catalogue ministry of labour determines the list of members from chambers and trade uninons) ASSESSING INSTITUTIONS can be those that fulfil conditions regarding equipment defined in catalogues and are registered at the ministry of labour

CATALOGUE OF STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS z Defines knowledge, skills, competencies needed for acquiring certaing NVQ z Contents: general information, methods and criteria of assessment, conditions regarding equipment for assessing institutions, conditions for members of assessment committees zAdopted by the Council of Experts (57 by November 2003) and defined by the ministry of labour zTitles of the catalogues are published in the official gazette, documents are provided on the internet pages of the CPI

NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CERTIFICATES FOR NVQ z Improvement of qualification structure z Improvement of transparency of NVQ z Lowering the structural imbalance z Stimulation of partnership z Opening and decentralisation of educational sistem z Improved social inclusion z Defining the criteria for prices of the certificates

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CERTIFICATES FOR NVQ FOR INDIVIDUALS z Chance for getting verification of competences and skills z Greater mobility, career building z Possibility for self-employment z Increased self-confidence and motivation for LLL

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CERTIFICATES FOR NVQ FOR COMPANIES z Improved qualification structure of the companies z Improved quality of work – advantage over competing companies z Faster and cheaper acquiring of new qualifications

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