APL Project

Project description:

APL “More Flexible VET systems based on the assessment of prior learning”

With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union, a project team of seven European institutions with a wide experience in the researching and development of the Vocational Education and Training (VET), led by the National Forum for Lifelong Guidance Policy (NFDK) together with Institute for Quality and Technology (ISQ), is developing the +APL Project - More Flexible VET systems based on the assessment of prior learning, from November 2012 until November 2014

The overall aim of the +APL project is to transfer tools and innovative methodology on validation of non-formal and informal learnings, used with recognized success in Portugal, to be implemented with groups of vocational educational training (VET from now on) professionals in Germany, Bulgaria, Spain, Italy and Poland.

The project specific objectives are:

1. Increasing the modernisation, quality and flexibility of European VET systems by equipping VET teachers/trainers/ guidance professionals with Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competences (RVCC from now on) methodology.

2. Acquiring new knowledge, skills and qualifications to facilitate personal development and meeting the employability and participation standards in the European labour market.

3. Contributing to improvements in quality and innovation in VET organisations and systems.

4. Developing an EQF-compatible competence profile which will be the basis for documentation of learning outcomes towards a standardised certification model.

5. Assessing the existing situation and opportunities of permeability and access from staff VET training to Higher Education.

6. Transferring and adapt the RVCC materials to meet the country specificities and target group needs.

7. Designing an European ECVET curricula for APL professional, based on EQF learning outcomes.

Partners:

NFDK, Poland

NFDK is a registered, non-profit association in Poland. It acts on the national level and possess a regional structure. The main goal of NFDK is Lifelong guidance policy development in Poland due to the Lisbon Communication, Bologna Process and Commission Strategy Europe 2020.

ISQ, Portugal

ISQ is a quality and technological institution founded in 1965. ISQ has a recognized experience in all areas of the training cycle and is one of the main national players in the fields of LLL, including e-learning, professional certification, APL, ECVET and knowledge management.  ISQ has a long experience on recognition/validation of non-formal and informal learning (APL).

VHS Cham, Germany

VHS Cham is a registered, non-profit association in Upper Palatinate; it acts on the regional level. Full-time administrative, teaching and training employees: 47 plus about 250 freelancers. VHS Cham provides courses in the field of society, vocation, languages, health, culture, special courses (second chance schools and literacy programmes). The great part of activities is directed to young people, unemployed persons, including long-term unemployed and those who want to change qualifications.

BDA, Bulgaria

Bulgarian Development Agency (BDA) is a non-profit association undertaking activities for public benefit, established in Sofia, Bulgaria. The association aims to contribute to the regional development as well as to promote the democratic and integration processes in the context of Knowledge society. It is to be achieved through elaboration, localization and transfer of innovative training and education products, materials and methodologies; analysis, transfer and dissemination of best practices; establishment and promotion of centres of excellence, establishment and popularisation of VET networks; contribution to the process of elaboration of EQF and validation of non-formal and informal learning in VET.

Ceres,Italy

Ceres promotes, coordinates and conducts research activities and studies in the economic and social fields. Ceres’ research focuses on the socio-economic impact of technological, organizational, and market changes in order to identify policies adequate to favour economic growth, local development, employment and welfare in the knowledge society.

SCIES,Spain

SCIES is a research, consulting and services organisation, active in the field of education and training that was created as a Limited Company at the beginning of 1999. SCIES builds on the SCIENTER operational office active in Granada since 1996 and it counts on the experience provided by its main partner: SCIES in Bologna (Italy) with more than 23 years of relevant experience in the design and implementation of EU projects.

Project website: http://www.plusapl.net/

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.