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EUPA Press release: Findings and conclusions: Formal (classroom learning) is not always enough: Non formal and Informal learning are also important (EN)
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
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Type: Press Release
Project: EUPA- Validation of Formal, Non-Formal and Informal Learning: The case study of Personal Assistants
Eupa project is a project targeting personal assistants and executive secretaries. Based on the EU policies related to the recognition of qualifications, EUPA's main objective is to develop a model for the recognition and validation of the qualifications of the sector of personal assistants based on learning outcomes.
The sector of Personal Assistants (PAs) has been selected (as a case study) for the following reasons:
1. PAs often do not have academic qualifications which make the validation of other skills and competences a necessity.
2. Most of the inactive women when entering the labour market request a position as a secretary or a PA and in many cases they have no formal qualifications. Evaluation of their non formal and informal learning will ease their access to the employment market.
3. PAs are of vital importance in every EU Company. Their role has been upgraded during the last decade.
EuPA is very relevant to the support in the improvement of flexible learning pathways, through the implementation of the European Qualifications Framework and systems for the validation of non formal and informal learning and lifelong guidance’. In this framework, EuPA is developing a qualification framework based on learning outcomes and a certification based on the validation of formal, non formal and informal learning outcomes.
EUPA consisted of several steps through which the qualification framework was developed, based on research that identified not only the knowledge, skills and competences needed by a personal assistant but also the importance of different learning outcomes. An assessment tool was also developed to assess the knowledge, skills and competences of PAs. Additionally, training modules are designed and develop for different learning outcomes.
The main findings of EUPA can be summarised in the following points:
• Non formal learning (on the job learning) is extremely important and it should definitely be validated. EUPA project proved that non formal learning in a specific sector is vital for a person working in the sector to be able to have all the knowledge, skills and competences needed for the specific sector. Formal learning will significantly enhance the results of informal learning but still non formal learning is vital to enable a personal assistant to be certified.
• Informal learning is also very important. One could argue that informal learning takes you half way through your development but will most probably not lead you to certification. It seems that the development through informal learning is much slower. Informal learning is strongly related with reflection, that is the ability of the person to gain knowledge from lifetime situations and this is probably another skill one has to develop in order to gain from informal learning.
• Formal learning is very important but may not always be enough to guarantee a certification. A small amount of work experience may also be required. If combined with non formal learning success is almost guaranteed.
EUPA results will be presented at the EUPA conference that will take place on the 10th of July 2012 at the Hilton Park in Nicosia. More information may be obtained through events@mmclearningsolutions.com or by contacting the coordinator at 77777252.
Eupa was coordinated by MMC Ltd in Cyprus. Project partners are:
EUPA was funded with the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union
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