Recognition of skills and competences in the vocational training sector
The recognition of skills and competences that have been acquired outside Germany's formal education system is becoming increasingly important in the wake of the imperative of lifelong learning. The central instrument for implementing and fostering lifelong learning is the German Qualifications Framework (GQF). The primary aim of the GQF is to establish a permeable education system that integrates general, vocational and university education. In addition, skills and competences that have been acquired outside formal programmes are also to be taken into account.
This conference will focus on two approaches to accomplishing this:
- The so-called examination for external candidates is a primary instrument for the recognition of skills and competences which have been acquired in the course of the work process or in the individual's social environment. The external examination enables persons with years of occupational experience to acquire vocational qualification by enabling their admission to the final examination.
- The Berufsqualifikationsfeststellungsgesetz (Professional Qualifications Assessment Act) makes it possible for individuals to obtain recognition of qualifications they have earned abroad.
The conference will include presentations of procedures and instruments for recording, assessing and certifying skills and competences.
In addition, current EU activities pertaining to the recognition of non-formal and informal learning will be presented and discussed. This will particularly include the results of the EU's consultation process. Further, possibilities for and limits to taking non-formal and information learning into account in the GQF will also be discussed.
Provisional programme (in German)
Organisational information (in German)
