German Institute for Adult Education (DIE)  
 
 

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Workshop: Organisation and technical support

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:

  1. What is the role of administrative and technical support staff within Adult Education Organisations across Europe?
  2. What are the professional competences needed in this field?
  3. What kind of research is done and what questions should be analysed?