The workshop on "Organisation and technical support" is about one
important but usually neglected staff group in organisations of adult
education. The administrative and technical staff of Adult Education
organisations often operate as go-betweens between the institution and
its clients. Their work impacts on the performance of the institution,
the customer satisfaction as well as the institution's ability to assert
itself in the market. In most European countries the competences and
skills acquired during a general vocational education or training do not
meet the specific needs of organisations that offer adult education
courses. Furthermore the organisational developments in the field of
adult education with its rapidly changing market often involve changes
in the workplace requirements as well as a need for flexible and
increased competences of the supporting staff. Yet we have very little
knowledge about the concrete work situation, the qualification
requirements, the actual competences of this group since there is a lack
of research in this field.
The Grundtvig Project "Professional Administrative Support of Adult
Learning" that is coordinated by the DIE and working with partners from
Italy, Norway, Great Britain, Poland, Latvia and Bulgaria has undertaken
research into the workplace situation, needed qualifications and
existing training provisions. There will be an introductory presentation
of the project findings.
The workshop will address the following questions:
- What is the role of administrative and technical support staff
within Adult Education Organisations across Europe?
- What are the professional competences needed in this field?
- What kind of research is done and what questions should be
analysed?
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