The Slovenian NQF:Happy Farm Innovation Project in the

Context of the NQF

Danica HROVATIČ, M.Sc.

on behalf of VDC Polž, Slovenia

NQF Inclusive “Let me show what I have Learnt”, Final Conference

Gleisdorf, 8 September 2011

Content

• The results from Happy Farm project• The Certification system in Slovenia

– and

• How to get NVQ through non-formal and informal learning? – REVANIL procedure

• How to understand Slovenian NQF? – The compound of education and qualification

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“HAPPY FARM”

• Leonardo da Vinci Innovation Project

• Duration: 2006-2008

• Inclusion of 7 partners from 5 EU countries that are working directly or indirectly with disadvantaged people

• Project leading partner: VDC POLŽ Maribor, Slovenia

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HF project aims

• to develop social enterprises on countryside (with social services, sports and ecological aspects);

• to open new possibilities for employment;

• to prepare the supporting programmes for social enterprises;

• to prepare the vocational programme for working on farm.

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Main project purpose

• Improving knowledge, skills and competences of individuals with learning disabilities and connecting the training programme with NVQ

• People with learning disabilities can gain the national recognised qualification

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Results

- Vocational and occupational standard

- Training programmes for disadvantaged groups

- Strategic plans for social enterprises6

JOINT ANALYSISaimed to support the project HF to

achieve its results

Certification System in Slovenia

• Adoption of National Vocational Qualifications Act in 2000

• Additional regulations were accepted, mainly in 2003, 2006; 2007, 2009

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NVQ – Slovenia

Source: CPI/2008

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OCCUPATIONAL STANDARD

VOCATIONAL 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 CERTIFICATE

YOUTH/ADULTS

REVANIL

Recognition (legislation is not necessary)

Validation (legislation is or not necessary)

Accreditation (legislation is necessary)

certificate / award / qualification

Non-formal and Informal Learning

learning outcomes

knowledge, skills and competences9

HOUSEKEEPER ASSISTANT

• Occupational standard

• Catalogue of standards for knowledge and skills

• Modular tranining programme: 4 modules– Communication with guests– Cooking and serving– Cleaning and tidying of the rooms– Maintenance and production of simple textile

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Key competences of HA

• learning how to learn

• social skills

• development of communication skills (oral communication and literacy skills)

• information and communication literacy

• entrepreneurship

• setting-up a career

• health and work safety.11

HA in EQF structure of 8 levels

1 level

2 level

3 level

4 level

5 level

6 level

7 level

8 level

knowledge

x

skills X

competences

X

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Slovenian Qualification Framework

NVQ (clasification) – NQF (framework)

SQF main purpose:

• to integrate and harmonize qualifications subsystems

• resolving problems between the VET system and certification system

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SQF draft proposal

• definition of key concepts

• proposition of SQF level descriptors

• preparation of qualifications in relation to SQF level descriptors.

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Typology of framework

• FRAMEWORK OF COMMUNICATION (passive role; maintenance of transparency)

• TRANSFORMATIONAL FRAMEWORK (active role; changes of legislation are needed)

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SQF – 10 levels

• from 8 levels in education system to 10 levels in qualification framework

• 10 levels helped to harmonize qualifications and education systems so as to enable easier identification and recognition of informal and non-formal learning. This element marks a reform character of the framework.

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Levels descriptors

Communication role of the framework:

Input concept:

• educational programmes

Output concept:

• learning outcomes

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Structure of descriptors

• Knowledge

• Skills

• Competences

Each educational level or qualification places within framework consist of all three elements.

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Types of qualifications

• EDUCATION (completed publicly approved educational programmes)

• NVQ (defined as work related vocational capacity required to perform an occupation at certain level of complexity)

• SUPPLEMENTARY QUALIFICATION (complements an applicant’s competence)

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LEVEL DESCRIPTORS - 3th LEVEL (HOUSEKEEPER ASSISTANT)

Knowledge Skills Competences

Level 3

Predominantly practical, life-and vocationally relevant knowledge with some theoretical basis, acquired primarily through the examination of examples, imitation and practice in the context of a specific discipline.

Basic literacy and demonstrating practical skills, including the use of basic tools, methods and materials. Using well known solutions when resolving predictable problems within a limited scope. Performing transparent and standardised tasks.

Ability to acquire new knowledge and skills in a structured setting and under appropriate guidance. Ability to engage in a restrictedly independent activity in a predictable and structured setting based on simple oral or written instructions. Accepting limited responsibility.

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QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO SQF LEVEL DESCRIPTORS

SQF level

Education levels National Vocational Qualification

A) Admission requirements (typical): B) Duration (typical or typical total duration in theory): C) Typical education: D) Transferability:

Level 3

PROGRAMMES OF LOWER VOCATIONAL EDUCATION A) : uncompleted or completed elementary school B) : 2.5 years C) : lower vocational education D) : secondary vocational education (SQF, level 4)

NVQ, level 3

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SQF LEVEL

EDUCATIONAL (SCHOOL SYSTEM) STRUCTURE

QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE(CERTIFICATION SYSTEM)

1 1 st and 2.nd cycle CE

2 compulsary education NVQ level 2

3 short term vocational NVQ level 3

4 vocational secondary education NVQ level 4

5 general/technical SE NVQ level 5

6 higher vocational education NVQ level 6

7 higher education / 1th cycle NVQ level 7 / not yet

8 M.A / 2th cycle

9 M.Sc / 3th cycle

10 Doc.Sc /3th cycle

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Thank you for attention!

“Education is when you

read the fine print.

Experience is what

you get if you don't.”

Pete Seeger

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