PROCEDURES FOR RECOGNITION OF INFORMALLY AND NON-FORMALLY ACQUIRED COMPETENCIES (BASED ON GERMANY'S EXPERIENCE)

Abstract

The article presents the results of an analysis of Germany's advanced practice in validating informally and non-formally acquired competencies by the professional community. The aim of this article is to study Germany's experience in recognizing informally and non-formally acquired competencies for their implementation in domestic practice. The validation procedure for non-formal and informal learning outcomes is considered from the perspective of existing approaches in Germany to recognize competencies acquired by individuals without formal education or professional qualifications, i.e., individuals in the "low-skilled," "semi-skilled," and "unskilled" categories. To distinguish between these concepts, the article provides a discussion of their use and meaning.

The scientific and practical significance of the study lies in the fact that the forms and procedures for confirming and recognizing non-formal and informal learning have been thoroughly studied, analyzed, and described. There are two such forms in total: de facto recognition and formal recognition of informally and non-formally acquired competencies; there are several procedures for validating non-formal and informal learning, including test-based procedures, biographical data-oriented procedures, activity-oriented procedures, external exams, and tariff agreements. In addition, in Germany, over the past 20 years, numerous initiatives, projects, and programs have been implemented at various levels to validate informally and non-formally acquired competencies and to enhance the qualifications of individuals without formal education or professional qualifications. According to the authors, particular attention should be paid to partial qualifications as part of the qualifications of low-skilled professionals.

The analysis of Germany's advanced practice in validating informally and non-formally acquired competencies was conducted using the materials of Germany's normative-legal documents on the evaluation and recognition of professional qualifications, using methods of analysis and synthesis, comparative and descriptive methods, and comparison method.

As a result of the study, the article's authors identify procedures that can be borrowed or adapted to domestic education and labor market conditions: the validation procedure in the form of an external exam, certified partial qualifications as part of the qualifications of low-skilled professionals, vouchers for education for those with professional qualifications or three years of professional experience.