Interview
Project “YOUth Ambassadors of Non-Formal Learning”
Organization: Association for Developing Voluntary Work Novo mesto
Country: Slovenia
We spoke with Andro Goblon, who, within his company Izobraževanje za osebni poslovni uspeh (Education for Personal Business Success), teaches in non-formal way all the knowledge-seeking people who primarily want to gain the knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship
Mr. Goblon, can you please introduce yourself briefly and say something about your work.
Much of my life is associated with learning, both formal and non-formal. I myself have been and am still in various roles. I learn and pass on knowledge at the same time. In addition to formal education, I gained certain knowledge and competencies through various experiences (such as self-employment), areas of work I did or still do, reading books, attending numerous seminars and workshops, through conversations with people and in other ways. I can share my knowledge with those who are determined to change their lives for the better.
For the self-employed, small businesses and for those who intend to become entrepreneurs I conduct various non-formal trainings in the field of understanding entrepreneurship, valuing their work and products or services in terms of value for potential customers, the importance of establishing and maintaining contacts, understanding the business model they have in their business, etc.
I also have a lot written about the importance of lifelong non-formal learning on my Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/androgoblon/
Can you tell me if the law in Slovenia is defining NFE? If yes, please describe what the law states.
In December 2012, the Council of the European Union adopted Council recommendation on the evaluation and recognition of non-formal and informal learning. The Council of the European Union wants to create more employment opportunities, especially for the young unemployed and people with lower formal qualifications, such as older and low-skilled workers. In addition, the proposal aims to improve access to higher education, especially for older students.
This Recommendation calls on Member States to enable their citizens to validate and evaluate knowledge, skills and competences acquired outside the formal education system by 2018 by setting up an arrangement / system for validating non-formal and informal learning that will be linked to the National Quality Framework.
Citizens should have the opportunity to obtain a full or partial qualification on the basis of validated skills and competences acquired outside the formal education system. Currently, only Finland, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal have comprehensive systems in place to validate non-formal and informal learning.
In Slovenia, two legally regulated paths or two basic purposes of recognizing informally acquired knowledge have been established, namely for:
- further involvement in formal education (continuing interrupted education or continuing at a higher level, changing the direction of education, etc.), and for
- recognition of professional qualifications (system of national professional qualifications) in the labor market.
More written here (only in Slovenian language): http://www.cpi.si/files/cpi/userfiles/Publikacije/CPI_vrednotenje-ucenja_3korektura.pdf
Please describe the existing strategies, action plans that define non-formal learning in Slovenia?
The Slovenian Institute for Adult Education is engaged in the development of non-formal education and learning opportunities, which wants to provide various opportunities for education and learning, not only to meet the needs of the labor market, but also:
• for individuals’ personal development,
• for the development of the local environment,
• to learn about and preserve the natural and cultural heritage,
• to provide access to education and learning to vulnerable target groups.
Non-formal education and learning are not intended to provide a level of education.
The goals of non-formal education and learning remain the same as before:
• get to know the value of knowledge and its acquisition,
• the need to bring knowledge closer to those who do not recognize it themselves,
• to enable education and learning for those who simply do not have (enough) opportunities for it.
They have developed various non-formal education and learning projects:
• study circles and reading study circles,
• centers for independent learning,
• knowledge exchanges,
• programs for young adults (PUM and PUM-O),
• literacy programs,
• a training program for sustainable development and
• a program for the initial integration of immigrants.
Most of these projects have become established in Slovenia, and interest in them is growing. Some have been awarded and recognized as examples of good practice at the international level as well.
The Center of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training is also involved in the field of non-formal learning, especially from the point of view of the recognition of professional qualifications.
From the point of view of systemic possibilities for the implementation of recognition, we have two types of publicly valid standards, which are the basis for the implementation of recognition:
• professional standards that follow the logic of employment (what and how one must know how to do) and
• educational (study) standards based on the logic of the educational system (what an individual must learn, how he will learn and how the content and quality of learning will be evaluated).
In the recognition of professional and professional knowledge, the professional standard has a connecting role between the formal and non-formal system.
Legal bases:
- National Vocational Qualifications Act (Ul. RS No. 81/2000, 83/2003, 1/2007, 85/2009): The Act systematically regulates the procedure and determines the bodies or bodies and organizations responsible for adopting catalogs of standards of professional knowledge and skills , and the conditions and procedure for obtaining national professional qualifications.
- The Rules on the Nomenclature of Professions (Ul. RS No. 37/2010) determine the procedure for the preparation of PS and catalogs of standards of professional knowledge and skills.
- Rules on the method and procedure of verification and certification of NPK (Ul. RS No. 67/2015) regulate the method and procedure of verification and certification of NPK.
- The Rules on keeping the register of providers of procedures for verification and certification of NPK (Ul. RS No. 41/2015) determine the procedure for entry and deletion from the register of providers of procedures for verification and certification of NPK and the method of keeping the register.
- Rules on the composition of commissions for verification and certification of NPK and on the manner and procedure for obtaining and losing a license (Ul. RS No. 37/2010) regulate the composition of commissions for verification and certification of NPK, selection of commission members and method and procedure for acquisition and loss license.
- Rules on continuous professional training of members of commissions for verification and certification of NPK (Ul. RS No. 14/2011) determine the methods of continuous professional training of members of commissions for verification and certification of NPK.
- The Rules on the Form of the Public Document on NPK – Certificate and Replacement Certificate (Ul. RS No. 22/2016) determine the form and content of the NPK certificate.
- Order on determining the training program for candidates for members of commissions for verification and certification of NPK (Ul. RS No. 94/2010)
*Ul. RS stands for Uradni list Republike Slovenije (Official Gazzete of Republic of Slovenia)
Have you been involved in the development of a strategy/action plan/law in excess of the NFE issues?
No.
Do you work on promoting NFE and how?
I emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and conduct various workshops, for example to acquire entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.
For your institution/CSO how young people recognize NFE?
Eventually, young people begin to understand the meaning.
What are you doing about NFE in term to make closeness with youth?
In cooperation with various partners (Development and Education Centre Novo mesto, Cene Štupar Institute, etc.), I occasionally conduct various workshops free of charge.
Have you involved young people in the process of bringing about things that are relevant to non-formal education?
If someone wants to motivate young people, he must first be committed to the idea and radiate a certain energy that attracts young people. Formal inclusion of things important for non-formal learning of young people is without effect (or with significantly less than it could otherwise be) without the aforementioned charisma.
Should the Government get involved and make an even bigger contribution when it we are speaking about youth and policies about youth?
The government can get involved and provide a certain systemic framework that will provide a certain amount of funding and fill the missing gap in legislation.
