Active ageing in Portugal: validation, guidance and the life course
Cristina Milagre
ANQEP, IP – National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training – Portugal
Thessaloniki, 10 December 2012
Proposed model
Current model
Youth
(Schuller and Watson 2009, quoted by S. McNair 2011)
LIFE COURSE
(Extended) Youth
20 years old
25 years old
Adult/Worker
Adult/Worker
50 years old
Third Age
65 years old
Third Age
75 years old
Fourth Age
Validation of prior learning and guidance of adults in Portugal
Adult/Worker
o Portugal ‐ Low‐skilled active population o Need strong education, training, and employment policies o The National Qualifications System (2007) ‐ structures, instruments and quality mechanisms
o It aims at o Promoting diversified training provisions in the context of lifelong learning as the source of qualifications that are grounded upon competences; o Developing the necessary skills to foster personal growth, social cohesion, and informed citizenship;
o Reinforcing and consolidating the Recognition, Validation and Certification pathway
Validation of prior learning and guidance of adults in Portugal
Adult/Worker
o Recognition, Validation and Certification o Low qualifications do not imply a lack of competences
o Adults have acquired knowledge and skills in formal, non‐formal and informal contexts, which can be validated and certified,
o Adults who are at least 23 years old
RVCC
Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competences
Competences assessment
‐ Interpretation of the standards
‐ Generate evidences from life experience (methodology of “bilan de compétences”)
‐ Learning Reflexive Portfolio’s design
‐ Individual and group sessions Competences/portfolio validation
‐ Portfolio self‐assessment
‐ Portfolio hetero‐assessment by the RVC team
Competences certification
The adult is presented before a certification jury
RECOGNITION
VALIDATION
CERTIFICATION
RVCC
Local Centres
Attending and Enrolment
Diagnosis Personal guidance
Recognition and validation of competences
Certification
Personal Development Plan
Partial certification
Other training or education supplies
Enrolment in external providers
Certification
Validation of prior learning and guidance of adults in Portugal
Adult/Worker
o From New Opportunities Centers (CNO to Centers for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (CQE) o Integrating the qualification process in an individual project ‐ career management, qualification and participation in the community;
o Guidance towards both individual and labour market demands;
o RVC as certification, but also as a stage in a qualification pathway o To highlight the strategic complementarity of guidance and recognition methods
Active ageing
Third Age
o Portugal is re‐defining active ageing policies ‐ 2012 European Year
o European Strategy for Adult Education (2012‐2014)
o Active ageing as one of our national strategic priorities
Active ageing
Third Age
o Validation of prior learning and valuing experience of ageing workers
o Enables recognition and certification of skills and competences acquired in (a long) life experience
o Higher level of formal qualification
o Levels skills and competences with the national qualification standards and the demands of the labour market.
o Reinforces basic competences, especially literacy skills (reading, writing, communication), digital literacy and information technology skills, learning how to learn, and reflexive competences (Valente et al. 2009);
o Bases adults’ decision (on training and employment options) upon ones competences, motivation and expectations
o Increases adults’ motivation to participate in lifelong learning activities, and to define professional, qualification and life projects
o Reinforces social recognition, personal awareness, self‐confidence (Lopes et al. 2009)
o Reinforces integration in new social networks, intergenerational communication, and prevents isolation
Active ageing
Third Age
o Adult Guidance
o Adult Education and Training courses and Modular courses
o Basic Competences Training Program
o Portuguese for Foreigners Program
Active ageing
Third Age
Figure 1 – Enrolments in New Opportunities Centres since 2007 by age group (%)
65 +
55 ‐ 64
45 ‐ 54
35 ‐ 44
25 ‐ 34
18 ‐ 24
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Source: SIGO online database, provisional data updated on 30 April 2012
Active ageing
Third Age
Figure 2 – Enrolments in Adult Education and Training courses since 2007 by age group (%)
65 +
55 ‐ 64
45 ‐ 54
35 ‐ 44
25 ‐ 34
18 ‐ 24
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Source: SIGO online database, provisional data updated on 30 April 2012
Active ageing
Third Age
Figure 3 – Enrolments in Basic Competences Training Program since 2010 by age group (%)
65 +
55 ‐ 64
45 ‐ 54
35 ‐ 44
25 ‐ 34
18 ‐ 24
2010
2011
2012
Source: SIGO online database, provisional data updated on 30 April 2012
Active ageing
Third Age
Figure 4 – Enrolments in Portuguese for Foreigners Program since 2010 by age group (%)
65 +
55 ‐ 64
45 ‐ 54
35 ‐ 44
25 ‐ 34
18 ‐ 24
2010
2011
2012
Source: SIGO online database, provisional data updated on 30 April 2012
Constraints and challenges

– Limited financial provision – Youth vocational training as the priority
– Age‐limit of 65 years for the beneficiaries of measures cofinanced by European programmes

– National Qualification System offers a variety of qualification structures, models and schemes that are fully adequate to older workers
– National adult guidance system
Thank you.
www.anqep.gov.pt
[email protected]
References
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