Brussels, 05/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - As part of its strategy for creating jobs and growth, the European Commission launched an initiative on 5 September to boost the recognition of skills and competences gained outside school or university. The Commission's proposal, which takes the form of a recommendation, aims to increase job opportunities in particular for the young unemployed and those with few formal qualifications such as older and low-skilled workers. It also seeks to increase access to higher education, especially for mature students. “Our aim is for all citizens to make full use of the learning opportunities which are available to enhance their skills and employability, whether at the work place, through civil society groups or via the internet,” said Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. “In a time of high unemployment and low economic growth, it is essential that Europe develops the right mix of skills and competences to boost competitiveness, prosperity and social inclusion.”
“Non-formal learning” occurs in a formal learning environment and does not generally lead to a qualification or diploma. It typically involves courses, workshops, conferences or seminars. “Informal learning” takes place in a variety of places, such as at home, work, in an association and through daily interaction between people; it includes language learning, cultural norms and manners. By means of this recommendation, the Commission urges member states to establish national systems for the validation of non-formal and informal learning by 2015. This would allow citizens to obtain a full or partial qualification on the basis of skills and competences acquired outside formal education. Only Finland, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands currently have comprehensive systems in place for validation of non-formal and informal learning. In France, all qualifications, except regulated professions such as medical doctors, dentists, veterinarians and architects, can be obtained through validation of non-formal and informal learning. Individuals submit details of their learning experiences and the skills/competences gained. An expert jury appointed by the relevant ministry may then grant a full or partial qualification. A similar system exists in Luxembourg. In the Netherlands, people can submit a description of their experiences to a recognised provider of "experience certificates" for the purpose of job applications or formal recognition by an examination board. In Finland, education laws allow for the validation of experiences in many education fields and levels.
The recommendation is one of the initiatives launched as part of the EUROPE 2020 Strategy for new skills and jobs, and also “Youth in Movement.” It supplements the European certification system for facilitating the validation of non-formal education. The Commission's draft legislation on the new “Erasmus for All” programme for 2014-2020 provides funding for all levels of education, including schools, adult education and professional training, along with informal and non-formal education. The Commission's proposal will be examined and adopted by the Council of Ministers on 23 and 24 November. (IL/transl.fl)