Large majority in favour of nationwide recognition system for competencies

Informal and non-formal learning are very important in Germany. Three out of four vocational education and training experts would like greater recognition of individual learning outcomes acquired outside schools, training and universities. 70 % of experts surveyed were in favour of a uniform and nationwide recognition system in Germany. These are the results of a survey of more than 300 vocational education and training specialists carried out by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) in collaboration with the Bertelsmann Foundation as part of the „BIBB Vocational Education and Training Expert Monitor“.

Over 80 % of those surveyed from employee organisations, research and continuing education were in support of a national recognition system for vocational competencies. There was also a majority in favour of this from those surveyed in companies (approx. 73 %) and Chambers (approx. 62 %). Only those representatives surveyed from employer organisations and schools expressed slightly more caution (approx. 48 % and 50 % were in agreement in each case). BIBB President Prof. Dr. Friedrich Hubert Esser emphasized that “in order to exploit potential which has been unused up to now, we need improved opportunities for formal recognition for people who have acquired competencies via an informal route. However, a recognition culture of this type requires joint and coordinated action from all stakeholders involved in the education and training process.“

Three out of four of those surveyed emphasized that the career opportunities for the individual can be improved by means of improved recognition of informal and non-formal learning. They added that this would also apply to unskilled and semi-skilled workers. “A lack of formal evidence of qualifications often represents an insurmountable obstacle on the route into professional life, in particular for people without qualifications or those with minimal qualifications, even though they have specialist knowledge and experience. A uniform recognition system for informal competencies will help, in particular, those people who up to how have not been able to demonstrate their capabilities on paper, “ explains Dr. Jörg Dräger, Member of the Executive Board of the Bertelsmann Foundation.

In the view of the authors, this type of recognition system would also improve the chances for refugees of gaining qualified employment, who often do not have formally recognized competencies. However, in the view of the experts, not only the employees, but also the companies stand to benefit from improved recognition. Approximately 60 % of those surveyed take the view that this constitutes a sensible measure with which to counteract the expected shortage of skilled workers.

Tools used so far for recording competency, such as ProfilPASS, are largely based on self assessment and are criticized by specialists as being inadequate. The so-called external examinations for recording skills have so far not proved satisfactory. Experts are therefore calling for the use of work samples and test procedures for the recording and assessment of competences. Their view is that certificates and references are less meaningful.

40 % of experts believe that recognition of informal and non-formal learning should lead to a recognized certificate which is equivalent to a formal vocational qualification. A large majority of those surveyed also support the recognition of partial qualifications and regard one of the outcomes of the recognition procedure as acquiring the right to access examinations. The unanimous view of the specialists is that a “credible stakeholder” should be engaged to certificate informal and non-formal learning in order to ensure the acceptance and use of these certificates in the employment market.

The provision of comprehensive advice should also accompany the recognition procedure and target groups on lower incomes should be financially supported. Here, the majority of specialists are calling for a mix of individual financial responsibility on the part of participants as well as the provision of public and private sector subsidies.

In a resolution from December 2012, the Council of the European Union recommended to member states that national regulations for the recognition of informal and non-formal learning should be developed by 2018. 70 % of specialists doubt that this will actually be implemented in Germany by 2018.

The BIBB survey was carried out in August / September 2015 within the “Vocational Education and Training Expert Monitor”. This is an established BIBB online survey system aiming to obtain opinions from specialists in vocational education and training and to use these to contribute to the discussion on policy-making in education and training.

The full results of the survey can be accessed at https://www.bibb.de/bibb-expertenmonitor (German only)

Contact persons:

Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB): Stefanie Velten; Tel.: 0228 / 107-1241,
E-Mail: velten@bibb.de

Bertelsmann Foundation: Gunvald Herdin; Tel: 05241 / 81-81464,
E-Mail: gunvald.herdin@bertelsmann-stiftung.de

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