Status of Recognition of non-formal and informal learning in Germany within the framework of the OECD activity “Recognition of non-formal and informal Learning” Imprint Published by The Federal Ministry of Education and Research Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) Referat EU Bildungsprogramme; internationale Zusammenarbeit in der Bildung 53170 Bonn Orders should be sent in writing to the publisher Postfach 30 02 35 53182 Bonn or placed by Tel.: 01805 – 262 302 Fax: 01805 – 262 303 (0.12 Euros/Min. from a German landline) Authors Sabine Seidel, ies Markus Bretschneider, BiBB Thomas Kimmig, DIPF Harry Neß, DIPF Dorothee Noeres, ies with the collaboration of John Erpenbeck, CeKom Katrin Gutschow, BiBB E-Mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.bmbf.de Bonn, Berlin 2008 Status of Recognition of non-formal and informal learning in Germany within the framework of the OECD activity “Recognition of non-formal and informal Learning” CONTENTS 3 Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 A Recognition Procedures ......................................................................................................................... 12 A.1 Recognition procedures in the education system and employment system .............................................. 19 A.1.1 Procedures in the vocational training and CET system .................................................................................... 21 A.1.1.1 External students’ examination ............................................................................................................................. 21 A.1.1.2 Advanced further training ...................................................................................................................................... 24 A.1.1.3 Retraining under BBiG or HwO .............................................................................................................................. 28 A.1.1.4 CET in IT ...................................................................................................................................................................... 29 A.1.1.5 Preparation for vocational training through qualification modules ...................................................................................................................................................................... 32 A.1.2 Procedures in higher education ........................................................................................................................... 34 A.1.2.1 Access to higher education for qualified workers ............................................................................................ 34 A.1.2.2 Dual study programmes in tertiary education .................................................................................................. 36 A.1.2.3 Credit point systems to shorten study periods ................................................................................................. 39 A.2 Steps and programmes to prepare for recognition ......................................................................................... 41 A.2.1 Learning Culture for Competence Development (LKKE) programme .......................................................... 41 A.2.2 The ProfilPASS system .............................................................................................................................................. 44 A.2.3 Competence models ............................................................................................................................................... 46 A.2.4 ANKOM – Credit of vocational competences towards higher education study programmes ................ 47 A.3 Recognition procedures in the employment system ....................................................................................... 50 A.3.1 Recognition by means of collective agreements .............................................................................................. 50 A.3.2 Examples of tools for personnel development and selection ........................................................................ 53 A.3.2.1 Staff appraisals ......................................................................................................................................................... 54 A.3.2.2 Employer’s references .............................................................................................................................................. 56 A.3.2.3 Assessment methods and procedures ................................................................................................................. 57 4 CONTENTS B Recognition of non-formal and informal learning - background, classification and benefits ............................................................................................................................................. 61 B.1 Component 1: Contextual factors ........................................................................................................................ 61 B.1.1 Demographic change ............................................................................................................................................. 62 B.1.1.1/2 Changes in the profiles of learners ...................................................................................................................... 64 B.1.1.3 Germany’s national immigration and integration policy ................................................................................ 72 B.1.1.4 Recognition by tertiary educational establishments ....................................................................................... 74 B.1.2 Internationalisation ................................................................................................................................................. 75 B.1.3 New ICT ...................................................................................................................................................................... 76 B.1.3.1 Use of new information and communication technologies ........................................................................... 76 B.1.3.2 New qualifications based on IT technologies .................................................................................................... 78 B.1.3.3 Use of ePortfolios ..................................................................................................................................................... 79 B.1.4 Economic developments and skills shortages ................................................................................................... 79 B.1.4.1 Legal framework, programmes, research on the recognition of experience-based learning ................. 79 B.1.4.2 Skills shortage ........................................................................................................................................................... 80 B.1.4.3 Economic disparities ............................................................................................................................................... 82 B.1.4.4 Possible steps to solve the issue of skills shortage and promote economic development ........................................................................................................................ 84 B.1.4.5 Group-specific benefit ............................................................................................................................................ 85 B.1.4.6 Links between the recognition of non-formal and informal learning and the informal economy ........ 85 B.1.4.7 Entrance to occupations on the basis of recognition ...................................................................................... 85 B.1.5 Social developments ............................................................................................................................................... 86 B.1.5.1 Changing demands for employee skills and competences ............................................................................ 86 B.1.5.2 Evidence of increased uptake of modern key competences on the basis of increased recognition .................................................................................................................. 87 B.1.5.3 Evidence of improved democracy and citizenship on the basis of increased recognition .............................................................................................................................. 87 B.1.6 Other contextual factors ........................................................................................................................................ 87 CONTENTS 5 B.2 Component 2: Frameworks ................................................................................................................................... 88 B.2.1 Political and legal frameworks ............................................................................................................................. 88 B.2.2 Key Stakeholders ...................................................................................................................................................... 94 B.2.3 Financial Frameworks .............................................................................................................................................. 94 B.3 Component