Description:

The paper describes two pilots (Leonardo da Vinci EPANIL project - European Common Principles for the Accreditation of Non-formal and Informal Learning in Lifelong Learning, www.epanil.net; Czech systemic project financed from ESF - UNIV - Recognition of the results of informal learning and non-formal education by networks of schools providing the education service for adults, www.univ.nuov.cz) concerning IVNIL implementation in the CR whereby main issues are given. The recognition of results of the previous learning and training extends the availability of the further vocational training and people who would be normally discouraged by the length of study or their own lack of self-confidence will get a chance to achieve a full or partial qualification or some kind of additional training. So in these projects standards and other system tools for IVNIL are developed, regional LLL centres are networking, training of pedagogical staff including assessors and counsellors for IVNIL is organized. The focus is on the last issue because legally requested tools (assessment standards for specific occupations ISCED 3C which describe criteria for evaluation of the necessary competences - knowledge and skills - of everyone who wants to obtain the respective qualification competences, methods and procedures of the assessment itself.) are being developed but persons expected to use these tools (assessors and counsellors) are not prepared to carry out their activities. The pilot verification of the educational courses for assessors and counsellors and assessment standards take place in networks of schools providing the training services to adults in the regions in the Czech Republic.

Methodology or methods/research instruments or sources used:

According the problems solved in each project phases available information sources are used (especially to the countries involved in Leonardo da Vinci EPANIL project) and methods of recognition, construction, pilot testing, questionnaire survey, semi-standardized interview, observation of assessors and counsellors during pilot testing.

Conclusions or expected outcomes or findings:

Outcomes of the project, general model IVNIL for the specific conditions, assessment standards for the occupation of cook (project EPANIL) and 20 occupations (project UNIV) ISCED 3C including evaluation of pilot testing. Educational programmes for assessors and counsellors and evaluation of their pilot testing

References:

• General concept and framework of identification and validation of non-formal and informal learning developed in the projects EPANIL and UNIV. Educational course for assessors and counsellors developed in the project EPANIL.
• Assessment standards for specific occupations ISCED 3C developed in the projects EPANIL and UNIV. European Inventory validation of non-formal and informal learning, ECOTEC 2005.
• Draft Conclusions of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council on Common European Principles for the identification and validation of non-formal and informal learning. Council of European Union. 18. 5. 2004.