CERF. Certification Standard for European Reference Framework Key Competencies

General description

CERF project is based on an existing product developed in Cyprus – a curriculum developing 3 key competences (KC) for unemployed women. Objective is, based on this curriculum to develop further a total learning solution for any disadvantaged group that will integrate the key 5 competences of ERF.

The new training methodology, materials and curricula will be tested in Greece, Cyprus, United Kingdom, Sweden and Spain through train-the-trainer workshops, pilot training to disadvantaged groups and workshops for the business world representatives and stakeholders.  

As a final product of these procedures there will be a new training methodology and a complete trainers package for disadvantaged groups that will be transferred to all countries for key competences no 2,4,6, 7 & 8. Moreover, the key competence no 7. Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship will be further developed through the creation of the trainees educational package and will be transferred to Greece in the form of a multimedia training tool (in English and Greek) and an accreditation model-standard for the same key competence (in Greek) will be created and tested for the measurement of learning outcomes.

KC2 Communication in foreign languages.
KC4 Digital competences.
KC6 Social and civic competences.
KC7 Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship.
KC8 Cultural awareness and expression.

Methodology

In brief, the following stages will be used:
1.    Development of an effective project´s management strategy and consent of all partners in the planned activities in the detailed activity plan and timetable. Development of an Evaluation and Quality Assurance Plan.
2.   Research on the current situation regarding ERF key competences in participating countries.
3.   Adaptation and improvement, according ERF needs, of the existing curricula and training materials for the three key competences that developed under the COA project, namely: Communication in Foreign Languages (KC No 2), Digital Competence (KC No 4), Social and Civic Competences (KC No6).
4.   Development of the curricula and training materials for two more key competences, according to ERF, namely: Sense of Initiative and Entrepreneurship (KC No 7) and Cultural Awareness and Expression (KC No8)
5.   Development of Trainers Package for competences No 2,4,6,7 and 8, and translation from English to Greek, Swedish and Spanish.
6.   One train-the-trainers workshop in each participating country for testing of the improved results.
7.   Pilot training of disadvantaged groups
8.   Report on recommendations and further development of the final training methodology and materials.
9.   Workshops “Key Competences Awareness Campaign” on the business world and stakeholders (one per country) in order to be informed about the significance of Key Competencies by ERF, and to integrate on the final methodology their suggestions and needs
10.  Development of a virtual European community of stakeholder (English & Greek)
11.  Development of the trainees package in a multimedia training tool for the key competence No 7: Sense of Initiative and Entrepreneurship
12.  Development of the accreditation standard-model for the key competence No7. Sense of Initiative and Entrepreneurship
13.  Dissemination and exploitation of the results.

Aims

The objective of this project is to use elaborated curricula for training and an entire training package with tools and methodologies in key competences, to develop them further and produce a methodology for training and certification of key competences, in accordance with the requirements of European Reference Framework (ERF).

The product regarding KC-7 “Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship” takes the form of a multimedia training package (CD) that can be easily transferred used as a convenient tool for both end users (disadvantaged social groups) and economic and productive agents (Human Resources agencies/organizations/departments, small-to-medium enterprises) and learners themselves.  

The certification tool contained in the training package will enable users to evaluate the degree of actual competence and plan next steps for lifelong learning, personal and professional development.

This will give the employee satisfaction and higher productivity for the enterprise, because it reduces the chances of mismatching between the employee´s competences and requirements of the job.  

Target audience

·     Immigrants.
·     Youth people leaving school without qualifications
·     Adults over 55.
·     People who need social reinsertion.
·     Low – skilled workers.
·     Long – term unemployed people.