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This paper is based on case studies conducted in the partner institutions within the Leonardo da Vinci project ‘Quality assurance and practice-oriented assessment in vocational education and training’ (QUAL-PRAXIS project). The main objective of this project, which ran from 2003 to 2006, was to discuss and examine practice-oriented models of assessment from the perspective of different national vocational education and training (VET) traditions. The countries under discussion were Austria, Estonia, Finland, Germany and Ireland. The project focused on identifying current innovations and future developments in practices and approaches to the assessment of work related learning in European countries. Particular attention was paid to models and good practices of practice-oriented assessment. The project launched the term practice-oriented assessment, with reference to performance- and competence-based assessment and to authentic assessment in work related learning.

Available papers from this conference are indexed from TD/TNC 91.451 to TD/TNC 91.476. Show less

This paper compares the integration policies of workforce in eight European countries (Austria, England, Finland, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal and Romania). A summary of the training needs surveyed among advisors and trainers of immigrant work in five of eight countries is explained. A practice-inspired intervention study focuses on developing Finnish vocational education and training (VET) of immigrants, who are the final beneficiaries. This study is a part of a research and development project which has the aim of increasing teachers’ intercultural competence and promoting good ethnic relationships. The intervention study was conducted in a large vocational college specialising in social welfare and health services in Helsinki. The emphasis has been to empower immigrant students by participatory practices. Hence, students have become active cultural agents in their studying and in their every day living. The intervention study means that practices are intentionally explored and changed in order to facilitate understanding and transformations of those specific practices and social realities. Developmental work research, approach used in the study, combines scientific inquiry and developing of local practices. The findings showed that the participants made numerous suggestions and thus actively participated and contributed into development work.

http://www.b.shuttle.de/wifo/abstract/!ecer07.htm Show less

Application of quality assurance to the matching between supply of and demand for qualifications in vocational education and training (VET) is analysed, considering two problems: (1) measurement of the quality of matching; and (2) anticipation of future development. The Austrian anticipation system was analysed to demonstrate some basic aspects of that kind of policy. For measurement more specific data would be necessary, and the formulation of operational objectives for matching is recommended. Anticipation is formulated in the paradigm of foresight, as a social process of knowledge management. This task goes beyond forecasting and brings the informal knowledge of the actors, and their strategic plans into the process. Show less

This paper looks at a research study intended to provide an analytical insight into the structural and innovative developments within enterprises’ training markets and their implications within the enterprises training market in Europe with specific reference to the example of seven European Union (EU) countries investigated during the period 2005-2006 (Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Lithuania). The first part of the paper is an introductory section which provides an overall analytical overview of the structural characteristics of the enterprises’ training market as observed at the end of the last decade. The second part of the paper concentrates on giving some analytical insights into the structural and innovative developments and their policy implications within the enterprises’ training market. The last section of the paper highlights some overall conclusions and implications obtained through the analysis of the results of the study.

Available papers from this conference are indexed from TD/TNC 91.451 to TD/TNC 91.476. Show less

This paper provides a synthesis of studies regarding anticipation practices in Austria, with the analysis focusing on the following main aspects: the concept of an anticipation system; and the description of the system of anticipation of skill needs in Austria as a prototype of an anticipation system, including the aspects of the communication structure, the current state of forecasting, and the anticipation practices at the regional and sector level. The Austrian system is an informal system which emphasises a professional-political approach. It relies mainly on ‘practitioner task forces’ which work at an informal level. The system also reflects the segmented structure of the education and training system. Show less