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Qualification and recognition/accreditation of adult
educators in Austria: The Federal Institute for Adult Education and the
Academy for Continuing Education
Institution: Federal Institute for Adult Education St. Wolfgang -
bifeb
Contact: Margarete Wallmann
Objectives: The poster
provides an insight into the institutional framework for Adult Education
in Austria and additionally presents the Academy of Continuing
Education as a innovative system for the qualification and
recognition of adult educators.
Description:
The
Austrian Federal Institute for Adult Education
The Austrian
Federal Institute for Adult Education (Bundesinstitut für
Erwachsenenbildung-bifeb) is part of the governmental department for
education, art and culture and is obliged to the principles of lifelong
learning and the equal access to education. The close national and
international cooperation with affiliate organisations of adult
education and other research institutions ensures the
professionalisation of continuing education as well as the setting of
new standards in lifelong learning.
The offer in the field of continuing education especially aims at:
The contents covered in courses are communicated by Austrian as well as
international experts. In addition new learning modes are introduced.
Situated in a recreational area the Austrian Federal Institute for Adult
Education offers just the right atmosphere for reflection and creativity.
The
Austrian Academy for Continuing Education - WBA
For over three
years representatives of seven organizations under the guidance of the
Association of Austrian Adult Education Centre have been working in
order to promote the development of an occupational image and working
towards the professionalisation of those who work in the field of adult
education.
The aim of this academy is to encourage extra occupational continuing
education for adult educators as well as it`s practical incorporation.
Characteristics of the academy:
-
Checking and accrediting skills according
to defined standards 2-part modular curriculum based on competence
profiles and two obtainable certificates: certified adult educator and
graduate adult educator
-
Recognition of existing qualifications without
providing educational qualification by itself.
Mainly virtual structure
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A network for
recognised educational organisations
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Decentralised
support structure through counsellors
-
Permeability
of the system
-
Eligibility
for universities
10 nationwide
institutions for adult education accorded to corporately shape the
cooperative system of professionalising and quality development in adult
education.
The Austrian adult education institutions declare:
-
to take part
and support the cooperative system in terms of strategy
-
actively
take part at the committees and the examination commissions
-
to internally
diffuse information about the cooperative system
-
to integrate
the ACE (WBA) into their resource development programs
-
to support
staff members at the participation
-
to provide
learning opportunities, if required
The Federal
Institute for Adult Education and the Academy of Continuing Education
jointly work on a model unique for Europe. The qualification of adult
educators and the recognition of previously acquired skills can be seen
as fundamental contributions to quality and professionalisation in the
area of adult education. This Austrian model of a sectoral approach in
adult education can be seen as best practice example for a nationwide
or even European qualification frame.
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