adult skills
Alex Stevenson on England’s PIAAC results: Low-skilled adults are falling behind
A closer look at the 2023 PIAAC results on adult skills in England shows that the progress since 2013 has largely been among so-called high achievers. Low-skilled adults are being left behind, warns Alex Stevenson of the Learning and Work Institute.
Flexible skills validation for people outside the labour market
Sweden’s Folkuniversitetet has developed its own approach to the Open College Network (OCN) method, born in the UK half a century ago. It offers flexible skills validation for people who are detached from the mainstream labour market and education system.
Patrick Werquin: “RPL does not yet reach the neediest”
“Fear of failure and lack of guidance keep those who need it most from accessing recognition of prior learning,” writes Patrick Werquin, professor at the French higher education institution CNAM, in his column. He has worked in education and the labour market across Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia.
Soltic on Flanders tuition hikes: Threats to lifelong learning and employability
Flanders has raised fees for so-called “non-essential” courses. “Yet they often serve as stepping stones to career development, and short-term savings risk long-term growth,” writes Jorie Soltic of KU Leuven in her Speakers’ Corner column, produced with the European Association for the Education of Adults.
Villalba: Validation that empowers – putting learners at the centre
”If validation processes are too complex or inaccessible, they fail their purpose,” writes Ernesto Villalba from the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Education and Training (Cedefop). He calls for stronger support throughout identification and documentation.
Recognition of prior learning helps migrant women unlock their potential
As Europe struggles with fragmented systems for recognising prior learning (RPL), the EmpowerHer project offers an innovative approach that helps migrant women validate their work and life competences, build confidence and realise their potential.
EDITORIAL Why validation and recognition of prior learning matter now more than ever
In her editorial, ELM Editorial Board member Beth John explores the benefits of validation and recognition of prior learning. “Validation enhances motivation, self-worth, and supports efficient upskilling and reskilling,” she says.
Alan Smith: ”Prison education benefits society”
In his Speakers’ Corner column, Alan Smith calls for prison education to be acknowledged as an integral part of adult learning. His arguments range from human rights aspects and personal skills development to the broader benefits for society as a whole. The column series is produced in cooperation with the European Association for the Education of Adults.
Open and shared dialogue with Sweden’s Democracy Step by Step model
Teachers working with immigrants and other learners in Sweden report major improvements in classroom discussions about values and rights, thanks to an innovative programme developed by the National Agency for Education and the Living History Forum.
I argue: Digital inclusion is key to democratic participation
“Digital inclusion is vital for enabling civic engagement and strengthening democracy. When citizens cannot navigate digital platforms, their ability to influence policies or shape communities is diminished,” writes Maja Brynteson of Nordregio in ELM’s “I argue” series.
