DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMON BACHELOR S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT (DICBDPEC)

Transcription

1 Executive Agency, Education, Audiovisual and Culture DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMON BACHELOR S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT (DICBDPEC) Final Report Public Part LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP

2 Project information Project acronym: Project title: Project number: Sub-programme or KA: Project website: DICBDPEC Development and Implementation of Common Bachelor s Degree Programme in the European Context LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP ERASMUS Multilateral projects Reporting period: From 01/10/2010 To 30/09/2013 Report version: First version Date of preparation: 28/11/2013 Beneficiary organisation: Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava Project coordinator: Dr. Laura Gressnerova, M.A. Project coordinator organisation: Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava Project coordinator telephone number: ; Project coordinator address: laura.gressnerova@stuba.sk This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein Copyright Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency. The document may be freely copied and distributed provided that no modifications are made, that the source is acknowledged and that this copyright notice is included LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 2 / 28

3 Executive Summary The present situation in Europe brings new challenges and priorities concerning all areas of life in society. The strategic document Europe 2020 puts forward three mutually reinforcing priorities smart growth developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation, sustainable growth promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy and inclusive growth fostering highemployment economy delivering social and territorial cohesion. The challenges and priorities of the European Union (further EU ) defined in the document Strategy and trends of economic and social development in European Union (2010), presented by EU Member Dr. Edit Bauer, member of Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) pointed out many problems. They are particularly those concerning: new forms of structure of economy, employability, new occupations and qualifications, disagreement between the required qualifications and offer, increased unemployment especially among young people, impact of demographic trends on labour supply, immigration of highly skilled individuals not only from European Union, economic and migration policy, multicultural environment, education and labour mobility. Their solution also means to lay greater emphasis on quality of education and vocational training (corresponding skills, knowledge and competences). Equally important is improvement of educational opportunities at all levels, adaptation of skilled labour, information on trends at labour market (monitoring and prediction of qualification requirements). The European Commission has defined the main initiatives in the field of science, research and education aimed at reform of study programmes (three-level system of education - BA, MA., PhD), competence-based education, open system of education, recognition of qualifications and skills, mobility in agreement with the Bologna process, international cooperation and transfer of knowledge and experience between universities. One of the most important tools of reducing unemployment especially among young people, considered by the European Union, is efficient counselling service and the training of career counsellors for new specific challenges of performance. The high quality career guidance and counselling services play a key role in supporting lifelong learning, career management and management of human resources. In the present period of economic crisis high quality education and vocational training of employees providing career guidance services is very important. According to recommendations adopted by the European Commission by 2020, at least 50% of all young people should have the status that would allow them educational and occupational mobility. It requires interaction of specific market activities for mobility and for transnational career guidance. There is a great need for future development of competences in international career guidance and human resource management. The European LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 3 / 28

4 Commission considers the education and training of career guidance staff, human resource management and quality of providing counselling services as one of important issues for achievement of strategic goals of the EU in the field of economic and social development. The training and competence of career guidance staff and human resource managers make an essential contribution to the development of high-quality career guidance and human resource management services, essential in meeting the needs of national populations and furthering EU strategic aims. The basic condition for promoting the EU's strategic objectives in providing high quality lifelong guidance services is the corresponding level of professional qualification for career counsellors. In the international context, the career counsellors are expected to dispose of new knowledge, skills and competences: knowledge of theories concerning lifelong career development, management and human resource management, respect of cultural differences, ethic and moral norms, social and intercultural sensitivity, respect of gender equality, professional approach to conflict solution and use of mediation. Further, knowing the trends and differences in the field of education, vocational training, employment, unemployment and labour market. Equally important is the knowledge on national and international legislative and legal norms (study, labour, social, health-related), skills in direct contact with individual clients, groups and members of cooperating networks (literacy in a foreign language). The active use of ICT in national and international space is also important. The efficient lifelong counselling within the European Union should be enforced by means of European cooperation and partnership between the providers of counselling services, social partners, practitioners in the field of counselling in education and employment, institutions providing education for career counsellors and workers for human resource development. Project ERASMUS Multilateral projects DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMON BACHELOR S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT (DICBDPEC) reacted to current challenges. It respected significant documents of the European Union, such as the Bologna Declaration on creation of the European Higher Education Area by the year 2010 (1999), Memorandum on Lifelong Education (2000), Lisbon Strategy knowledge-based society (2000), EU conclusions on lifelong counselling (2004; 2008), Professionalizing career guidance. Practitioner competences and qualification routes in Europe (2009), EUROPE 2020 A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (2010) 5 headline targets, including 1/ employment, 4/ education. The project DICBDPEC is carried out with the support of the European Community as part of the Lifelong Learning Programme, Sub-programme ERASMUS, Multilateral projects. The project started in October 2010 and ended in September LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 4 / 28

5 Project contractor and coordinator is Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia. Partners: University of Nicosia, Cyprus Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia University of Applied Labour Studies, Mannheim, Germany Jan Długosz University in Czestochowa, Poland University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain University of Derby, United Kingdom University of Split, Croatia A number of the partner universities have long-year tradition in the field of education of career counsellors (further CC ) and human resource managers and long-year experience in introducing new study and educational programmes not only in their own country, but also within Europe. Partners are interested in introducing new trends in CC and human resource managers education, considering national and European specificities of labour market, some types of programmes, disciplines and qualifications. A prerequisite of the consortium quality: Partners universities represent, by engagement of their members, high professionalism and experience in the project theme, partners have long tradition in the field of education of career counsellors and human resource managers, partners have long-year experience in cooperation in various national and international programmes and projects and long-based experience in introduction of new study and educational programmes not only in their own country but also in Europe and in the world, partners are interested in further dissemination of new achieved knowledge, skills and results in the project and implementing them in education process in their universities. The aim was to support in agreement with Bologna process and recommendations of Berlin Declaration and other important EC documents the approximation of European higher education area and to provide for greater compatibility of higher education and to widen the possibilities of postgraduate education for career guidance. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT Harmonization of higher education and postgraduate education in career guidance and human resource management in partner countries, by accepting comparable academic degrees, joint diploma / Diploma Supplement LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 5 / 28

6 Securing the transparency of existing national systems of career counsellors (CC) and human resource managers education, improvement of recognition of their qualifications, support of international mobility of students and graduates. Improvement of quality in higher education, its further internationalisation as well as the employment of higher education graduates in domestic and international labour markets. APPROACHES USED The project solution has ensued from significant documents, surveys and analyses: document of the European Union: Strategies and trends of economic and social development within the framework of EU requirements of future qualifications and perspectives of employment at international labour market (2010), national documents of partner countries: Information on national strategies and trends of economic and social development in partner countries (2010), strategies and trends of economic and social development within the framework of EU, the requirements of future qualifications and perspectives of employment at international labour market (presented by Dr. Ing. Edit Bauer, EU Parliament Member of Committee on Employment and Social Affairs), (2010), surveys of career guidance needs, requirements and demands for occupations and performance of career guidance in partner countries (2011), analyses of higher education, differences in contents, forms, length and requirements for qualification and skills necessary for career guidance (2011), comparisons an international comparison of higher education for career counsellors based on national surveys and analyses (2012). Based on the results of comparison and international projects in the field of career guidance and recent documents relating to the professionalising of career guidance partners jointly prepared common bachelor s and master s study programmes and innovated modular educational programme for postgraduate study. RESULTS OF THE PROJECT Integrated study programme covering the bachelor cycle: CAREER GUIDANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT and master cycle CAREER GUIDANCE IN EDUCATION, PROFESSION AND LABOUR MARKET MANAGEMENT including three specializations (Human resource management (HRM) and organisational development - change; Career guidance in education; Labour market management, policy and research) with using the credits (ECTS), enabling the learners to obtain the recognised joint diploma/diploma Supplement LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 6 / 28

7 Postgraduate educational programme POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN CAREER GUIDANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (in education, labour market and human resource management) with specializations for 4 target groups: education sector; public social services and non-government and nonprofit institutions; public employment services (PES); human resource management of the society (HRM) using ICT, with e-learning platform. Professional TERMINOLOGICAL DICTIONARY for bachelor s (key words for each module) and master s study programme developed in languages of all partner countries (DE, EL, EN, ES, ET, HR, PL, SK) CRITERIA OF QUALITY evaluation of education for career guidance (with utilization of the ECTS and Diploma Supplement) and proposal of the criteria of quality (in agreement with EU standards quality ESG) for study programme of higher and postgraduate education of CC. prepared documents for ACCREDITATION of educational programmes. MAIN TARGET GROUPS The graduates of proposed study programmes within the framework of the project will receive professional qualification for performing an occupation and work opportunities in which they may find employment: in education sector (primary and secondary schools, higher education institutions and universities), sector of labour and social affairs, public services, human resources sections in companies and organizations, employment associations (social partners), non-government and non-profit institutions, private sector, European and international organizations in vocational guidance and human resource management. IMPACT OF THE PROJECT Enlargement of European space in the field of career guidance and human resource management. Increase of transparency and agreement between qualifications achieved in context of education for career guidance and human resource management provided at universities within the framework of EU partner countries. Transfer of innovative approaches using ICT in higher education and vocational training in the field of career guidance and human resource management in partner universities LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 7 / 28

8 Introduction of integrated higher education for career guidance, human resource management in partner universities. Extension of opportunities and access to higher education and vocational training for professionals specializing in career guidance and human resource management with the regard to the European dimension. Deepening the cooperation between universities within the EU. European added value primarily consisted in remarkable modernization of education for career counselling and human resource management according to the needs of the present labour market and in view of its expected development. The study programmes BA, MA and educational programme create conditions for an updated and innovated higher education and vocational education and training of career counsellors and managers of human resources adapted to a new social and economic situation, new demands of the labour market and new trends of personnel required on the labour market. It supports the application of new information and communication technologies (ICT) in the work of career counsellors. COOPERATION AND COMMUNICATION The project has the special website ( logo and the communication between the partners will be carried out through , Skype, video conferences and workshops and working meetings. Language of communication was English language. A special website of the project was developed. E-communication platform will be a part of the project website containing all significant documents connected with the project implementation, continuous and final outcomes, reports and internal communication platform of the partners. The project website is divided into public and internal parts for all project partners. Creation of e-learning platform for postgraduate programme: NATIONAL AWARD The National Euroguidance Centre in Slovakia has awarded National Award of Career Guidance Activities in 2013 in Slovakia for Honorable Mention to the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, for the contribution "Project Erasmus Multilateral Projects - Development and implementation of common Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes and graduate training programmes in the European context". Recognition has been granted for initiative and coordination of the project, in which there has been created, not only in Slovakia, the first joint Bachelor's and LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 8 / 28

9 Master's degree programmes as well as postgraduate training programme in the field of career guidance in the European context, involving several European universities. An appreciation of European dimension in education, aimed at enhancing the skills, adaptability and mobility has be emphasized. MINISTER AWARD The project has been awarded on 27. November 2013 by Award of the Minister of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic by doc. PhDr. Dušan Čaplovič, DrSc. for activity of development of new common study programmes (BA, MA) and postgraduate educational programme in Career guidance in European context LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 9 / 28

10 Table of Contents 1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES PROJECT APPROACH PROJECT OUTCOMES & RESULTS PARTNERSHIPS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE CONTRIBUTION TO EU POLICIES LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 10 / 28

11 1. Project Objectives The aim rested in harmonization of higher education (Bachelor and Master) and postgraduate education for career counselling of partner countries, by accepting easily readable and comparable academic degrees, by adopting the system of the basic level of higher education and by using the system of credits (ECTS). The endeavour was aimed at creation of open European space while maintaining the variability of national systems. Also the development of a framework of comparable and compatible qualifications for higher education and postgraduate education for CC, based on description of qualification in terms of workload, level, study results, competencies and profile. It will help ensure the real transparency of existing national systems of CC education, to improve recognitions of their qualifications, to support international mobility of students and graduates. Quality assurance in agreement with EU quality standards (Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area - ESG) will contribute to making the European higher education space more attractive in relation to other regions of the world. The unified European labour market will thus get strengthen and the international space will be expanded. The introduction of innovations into CC education, new methods and forms (modules, e-learning), re-evaluation of curricula (criteria) in dialogue with employees, development of joint diplomas and support of intercultural and language skills are also among the objectives. For achievement of the above aims the activities took place aimed at national surveys and analyses of higher education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) of CC, differences and requirements for qualification, international comparison of higher education and possibilities of postgraduate study of CC in partner countries. Surveys on employment of young people at labour market and acquisition of information on strategies of economic and social development at national levels and within the framework of EU challenges for the future. Main Objective of the Project Development and Implementation of Common Bachelor s Degree Programme in the European Context (DICBDPEC) Harmonization of the higher education space in accordance with the Bologna process and recommendations of the Berlin Declaration. Harmonization of higher education with partner countries, joint ECTS, Diploma Supplement. Innovation of higher education with a special emphasize on European dimension aimed at improvement of qualification, adaptability and mobility of persons entering the labour market LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 11 / 28

12 Improvement of counselling services in the process of choosing education, field of study, and career choice with a special view to help particularly the young people in the integration process. Expansion of possibilities of employment at the national and international labour market, recognition of qualifications and emancipation at job search. The specific aims of the project: Transparency in existing national systems of education of career counsellors, recognition of their qualification, support of international mobility of students and graduates within the framework of partner countries. Harmonization of higher education for career guidance and human resource management in partner countries. Implementation of new joint integrated study programmes (BA, MA) enabling to achieve the recognized joint diploma/diploma Supplement and the modular educational programme LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 12 / 28

13 2. Project Approach The project DICBDPEC was based on European Union documents, especially: European Social Charter, Article No. 9 The right to receive counselling when choosing an occupation (1961). Conclusions of the European Council from Lisbon, as stated in the Lifelong Learning Memorandum which defines a new approach to professional counselling and guidance as one of the key messages (2000). Bologna Declaration on creation of the European Higher Education Area by 2010 (1999). EU resolutions on lifelong guidance (2004; 2008). PANORAMA Professionalising Career Guidance. Practitioner Competences and Qualification Routes in Europe (2009). EUROPE 2020 A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (2010) 5 headline targets: 1. employment, 4. education. In initial phase of duration of the project were presented the Strategies and trends of economic and social development in the framework of EU, demands of future qualifications and perspectives of employment at international labour market by EU Member Dr. Edit Bauer, member of Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and perspectives of education in the frame of EU were discussed by Katarína Neveďalová, member of the Committee on Culture and Education. For achievement of project goals and aims, the activities were aimed at national surveys and analyses of higher education and vocational education of career counsellors, differences and requirements for qualification, international comparison of higher education and possibilities of postgraduate study of career counsellors in partner countries, surveys on employment of young people at labour market and acquisition of information on strategies of economic and social development at national levels and within the framework of EU challenges for the future: Critical analysis of career counselling the aim was to outline the state, level and the need of career counselling in partner countries in the field of school education, employers and employees. Critical analysis of career counsellors the aim was to outline the educational needs of career counsellors, to analyse the condition and present status of career counsellors in partner countries. Analysis of educational needs of career counsellors the aim was to define the content and level of education of career counsellors in each country and to identify the educational needs of career counsellors; and to inform about the development of the modules. Curricula for career counsellors the aim was to propose modules of educational programme for career counsellors working in the field of school LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 13 / 28

14 education, employers and employees, with emphasis on the European dimension. International comparison of required competencies of career counsellors the aim was to prepare an international comparison of new or revised curricula for career counsellors with focus on utilisation of modern information technologies ICT. Information on national strategies information on strategies and trends of economic and social development in partner countries and within the framework of EU, demands of future qualifications and perspectives of employment at national and international labour market. Based on the results of comparison and international projects in the field of career guidance: Leonardo da Vinci pilot project Modular Distance Learning for European Mobility Career Counsellors (MODILE-EUROCARCO) Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation "Brain Drain - Brain Gain - Qualification modules for counsellors (BD - BG) ERASMUS Academic Networks Network for Innovation in Guidance & Counselling in Europe (NICE) and the latest documents concerning professionalization of career guidance: Career guidance: A Handbook for Policy Makers (OECD/EC, 2004), Career Guidance and Public Policy International Handbook for Career Guidance (Wats, 2008), Handbook on counselling competencies (ERTELT, SCHULTZ, 2008), Professionalizing career guidance practitioner competences and qualification routes in Europe (CEDEFOP, 2009), all the partners have worked out in common joint Bachelor and Master study programmes and innovated modular educational programme for postgraduate study: study programme CAREER GUIDANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (Level 1, BA) study programme CAREER GUIDANCE IN EDUCATION, PROFESSION AND LABOUR MARKET MANAGEMENT (Level 2, MA), including three specializations: 1. Human resource management (HRM) and organisational development (change); 2. Career guidance in education; 3. Labour market management, policy and research. Postgraduate educational programme POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN CAREER GUIDANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (in education, labour market and human resource management with specializations for 4 target groups: education sector; public social services and LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 14 / 28

15 non-government and non-profit institutions; public employment services (PES); human resource management of the society (HRM). The European surplus value of the projects rested in transnational approach and multicultural dimension. A contribution consisted in expansion of cooperation between European institutions engaged in lifelong education and transfer of new procedures between individual participating countries in the field of interconnection of education and professional practice. European added value of project is mainly: sharing expertise, knowledge, practice in a new environment, creation of an international group and its transformation, cooperation of equal partners, mutual recognition of the basic assumptions, opinions, professional approaches, meaningful professional dialogue, complying of different cultures, common friends and contacts, enhance of international cooperation of research, education and operating contacts, obtaining positive relations of institutions involved in the project, deepening the trust of partners - joint planning of new activities and projects. Evaluating activities within the project based on method of quality management of the coordinator and of partners in all work stages in terms of planning and achievement of objectives. The quality and evaluation plan covered internal evaluation after each project workshop in accordance with project working schedule as well as external evaluation realised by external evaluator twice a project. Plan of dissemination: Transfer of results and methodologies within the framework of the project to the respective bodies with decision-making powers at the national and international level. Distribution and application of the project products within the framework of institutions providing higher education in the field of CC to the other countries within the EU framework. Proposals and recommendations for decision-making leading to improvement of higher education for CC. Plan of strategy of exploitation consisted of: initial analysis of the needs within the framework of partner countries, LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 15 / 28

16 realization of results and products of project partners, testing the project results and products, higher education programme for CC by a uniform methodology by the project partners before completing the project, updating the results and products of the project, accreditation and certification of the project outcomes, transfer and dissemination of results and products of the project, publishing the results and products of the project, involvement in European networks LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 16 / 28

17 3. Project Outcomes & Results Based on the results of analysis and surveys, comparison, international projects in the field of career guidance and recent documents relating to the professionalising of career guidance all partners jointly prepared: Modular bachelor s study programme CAREER GUIDANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (BA ECTS). Results of international comparison of study programmes for career guidance in partners countries, were requirements of qualifications for career guidance counsellors and labour market managers was a decision to create also: Modular master s study programme CAREER GUIDANCE IN EDUCATION, PROFESSION AND LABOUR MARKET MANAGEMENT including three specializations fields (MA 120 ECTS): 1. Human resource management (HRM) and organisational development (change); 2. Career guidance in education; 3. Labour market management, policy and research. Postgraduate educational programme POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN CAREER GUIDANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (in education, labour market and human resource management with specializations for 4 target groups: 1. education sector; 2. public social services and non-government and non-profit institutions; 3. public employment services (PES); 4. human resource management of the society (HRM). Creation of e-learning platform for postgraduate programme at the website: Preparation of Manual guide on how to work with e-learning portal in English and Slovak language. Terminological dictionary for bachelor s (separately keywords for each module) and Terminological dictionary for master s study programme in languages of all partner countries (English, Greek, Estonian, German, Polish, Spanish, Croatian, Slovak language). Career guidance is carried out in the sectors of education, labour, employers and employees and therefore it is necessary to learn and understand the terminology, which is used in these fields. Some of the terms have a rather peculiar meaning and it is necessary to be familiar with their equivalents in the original language, because it is not possible to find suitable substitutive phrases with the same meaning LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 17 / 28

18 Accreditation Standards for Study Programmes of Higher Education. Confirmation on fulfilled conditions of required quality of educational programme, conditions of its realisation and circumstances, which will provide guarantees for provision of appropriate quality of education provided by partner universities according to the respective national and European regulations concerning accreditation. Main task of accreditation is to monitor, assess and independently evaluate educational programme quality. It contributes to improvement and making CC higher education more effective. Agreement on conditions of cooperation at providing joint Bachelor s and Master s study programme including these issues: - Conditions of admission to the joint study programme (JSP); - Conditions of completing JSP; - Details on organization of the study; - Details on granting the academic degree; - Details on documents of completing the study; - Validity of internal rules of the respective contracting party for students of JSP; - Decision-making on academic rights and responsibilities of student of JSP in accordance with internal rules of the contracting party of the country in which the study is carried out Criteria of quality Criteria of quality evaluation of education for career guidance (with utilization of the ECTS and Diploma Supplement) and proposal of the quality criteria (in agreement with EU standards quality ESG) for study programme of higher and postgraduate education of career counsellors. There has been elaborated the quality criteria focused on: 1. STRATEGY AND OBJECTIVES Objectives of the course Positioning of the course International orientation Cooperation and partnership 2. APPROVAL (PROCESS AND PROCEDURES) 3. DESIGN OF THE COURSE Structure Contents Didactics and methodology 4. RESOURCES AND SERVICES Teachers of the course Course and programme management Equipment LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 18 / 28

19 5. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND EVALUATION IN THE CONTEXT OF QUALITY DEVELOPMENT All planned results/outcomes in the project DICBDPEC are in accordance with aims declared in project application LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 19 / 28

20 4. Partnerships Taking part in the project were 8 universities of the EU member countries Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, United Kingdom: 1. Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia (contractor and coordinator) 2. University of Nicosia, Cyprus 3. Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia 4. University of Applied Labour Studies, Mannheim, Germany 5. Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Poland 6. University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain 7. University of Derby, United Kingdom 8. University of Split, Croatia Composition of the partnership was a guaranty of achieving high-quality results of the project. A number of the universities have long-year tradition in the field of education of career counsellors (CC) and long-year experience in introducing new study and educational programmes not only in their own country, but also within Europe (Sri Lanka, Mexico, India). Partners have been interested in introducing new trends in CC education, considering national and European specificities of labour market, some types of programmes, disciplines and qualifications. Precondition of quality of the consortium was: each of the partner universities shows a high degree of professionalism and experience in career counselling and CC education, many of the partners are outstanding researchers and have taken responsibility for study and educational programmes in the field of career counselling not only in national but also international programmes, many of the universities have a long tradition in cooperation in different programmes and projects aimed at career counselling and CC education, some of the partners have been involved in common international programmes related to career counselling and CC education (e.g., Modular Distance Learning for European Mobility Career Counsellors (MODILE-EUROCARCO), Brain Drain Brain Gain), the partners wish to cooperate, and are ready to share their experience, knowledge and professional and practical knowledge with the other partners, to create a new integrated study programme and educational modular programme for postgraduate study, LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 20 / 28

21 the partners were interested in flexible implementation of integrated study programme (Level 1, Level 2) and innovated modular educational programme for postgraduate study for CC in the national educational systems, while each of the partners will have space for adaptation owing to specificities of individual partner countries. All partners confirmed their interest in participating in the project in such a way as to achieve the aims they consider as primary, namely, the development of the joint integrated study programmes and innovated modular educational programme for postgraduate study, and thus to contribute to creation of the European space in higher education, in lifelong education for career counselling and expansion of possibilities of employment at the labour market. It has been achieved through: Introduction of Diploma Supplement with the aim to support the possibilities to employment at the European labour market. Adoption of the study for CC based on the common first level lasting three years, second level lasting two years and postgraduate study based on modules. Expansion of possibility of appropriate level of qualification by degrees awarded after the first and second cycle, also relevant for European labour market. Creation of the credit system - ECTS as a means for support of student mobility within the framework of partner universities with the possibility of expansion to other higher education institutions. Creation of credits also for postgraduate education. Cooperation at quality assurance considering the setting of quality criteria ensuing from EU quality documents. All project partners have been involved in fulfilment of all project tasks in accordance with Work plan and contributed to the project activities as the leaders of workpackages, leaders of partial workpackages and they cooperated with leaders LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 21 / 28

22 5. Plans for the Future Project brought about improvement of quality in provided higher education, its further internationalisation as well as employment of higher education graduates at domestic and international labour market. It strengthened the EU dimension by setting criteria for curricula, development of joint diploma, support of intercultural skills. In compliance with principles of institutional autonomy the basic responsibility for quality insurance will depend on responsibility of each partner. Quality is one of the pillars of establishing the joint EU higher education space and that is why the project paid an increased attention to it. An important tool in the field of quality insurance related to the project proposal is the accreditation of integrated study programmes and innovated modular educational programme based on criteria set up in advance. In agreement with the Berlin Communiqué the project is aimed at elaboration of framework of comparable and compatible qualifications for higher education for the field of CC concerning the workload, study results, competencies and profile. The creation of effective framework of qualifications for CC will help ensure transparency of existing national systems, improve recognition of qualifications received abroad, and support international mobility of students and graduates. In this way the unified EU labour market will also prepare international area for quality assurance and will contribute to making the EU higher education more attractive. The project was focused on innovating and updating CC education. It completed all activities related to higher education of specialists concerned with CC and l provided for its EU dimension. The innovation of higher education and professional training of CC will contribute to improvement of youth skills in the process of integration at labour market as well as to intensification of effect of career services in this area. The efficiency of counselling services of CC will be manifested in improvement of competencies of young people at choosing education, occupation, career planning, improvement of their ability to get employed and integrated in the world of work which will finally influence employment growth. In agreement with the Bologna process and recommendations of Berlin Declaration the project will enhance accession of EU Higher Education Area. It will provide greater compatibility of university level of education (Level 1, Level 2) within the framework of partner countries. It will contribute to improvement of content and profile of qualification for CC working in the sector of education, work, social affairs in public and private sectors. The joint ECTS, Diplomas Supplement and accession of national qualification frameworks will contribute to extending the mobility in European higher education area. The acquisition of joint credits in study programmes and in modular educational programme for postgraduate study will allow better employment at national LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 22 / 28

23 and European labour market, international competition of EU systems of higher education as well as equal treatment at searching employment. Greater transmission will be ensured at international level. Owing to diverse traditions of countries in education systems, in possibilities of individual institutions, diversities in study programmes and disciplines that these institutions offer, partners will be responsible for implementation of outcomes in the national educational systems and their accreditation. Accreditation - confirmation on fulfilled conditions of required quality of educational programme, conditions of its realisation and circumstances, which will provide guarantees for provision of appropriate quality of education provided by partner universities according to the respective national and European regulations concerning accreditation. Main task of accreditation is to monitor, assess and independently evaluate educational programme quality. It contributes to improvement and making CC higher education more effective. In agreement with above all partners prepared important documents concerning accreditation: Specificities and conditions of accreditation in partner countries. General description of study programmes (BA, MA) needed for accreditation process. Information list of each module/course. Agreement on conditions of cooperation at providing joint Bachelor s and Master s study programme including these issues. - Conditions of admission to the joint study programme (JSP); - Conditions of completing JSP; - Details on organization of the study; - Details on granting the academic degree; - Details on documents of completing the study; - Validity of internal rules of the respective contracting party for students of JSP; - Decision-making on academic rights and responsibilities of student of JSP in accordance with internal rules of the contracting party of the country in which the study is carried out. Copyright Agreement - deals with intellectual property rights and copyrights concerning the products developed as part of the project between all project partners. Partners planning to validate the Bachelor s and Master s degrees and looking for future opportunities to promote the programmes both in our own institution and/or with other European institutions. The suite of postgraduate materials provide a useful LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 23 / 28

24 resource which can be utilised within partners portfolio. These will be particularly useful in offering a European perspective to the work they are currently involved with and will add depth and breadth to work with existing partners LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 24 / 28

25 6. Contribution to EU policies European added value of the project primarily consists in remarkable modernization of education for career counselling according to the needs of the present labour market and in view of its expected development. Project supplemented all the activities aimed at education of career counsellors (CC) as it will give a European focus to internal/national review. The project is innovative in that it will lead to European-wide study of career counselling. Harmonization of European higher education (Level 1 Bachelor, Level 2 - Master), modernization and widening of opportunities of postgraduate study using ICT, has a great significance particularly today, in the period of economic crisis. It is vital to react to new, topical challenges at labour market considering unemployment of university-educated young people, who do not find employments matching their qualification at national and, many a time, European labour market (Brain Drain Brain Gain Brain Waste). Considering the facts the project was especially topical not only within the framework of national, but also European space. Innovation of higher education and vocational education of CC will contribute to improvement of competencies of young people in the process of integration in the labour market as well as to intensification of the influence of career counselling services in this area. The product is of European-wide value as the partners from EU member states will share know-how and responsibilities for project outcomes. Development of the integrated study programmes (BA and MA) leading to obtaining joint diploma and innovated modular educational programme for postgraduate study in accordance with European policy "For new skills and new jobs 2020". At developing integrated educational programmes the observance of recommendations of national and European policies for career guidance is a must. Project responded to the Bologna Declaration challenges for approximation of structures at university levels, lifelong education and qualification. It contributes to enlargement of European educational space, to its openness, flexibility, mobility in education and on European labour market. It brought new knowledge and skills required for the future and the changing requirements of labour market. The input consists in European dimension of education with regard to international cooperation of participating countries (CY, DE, EE, ES, HR, PL, SK, UK). At implementation, the attention was paid to close dependence on national conditions considering the continuous supplementing and enlarging the national context. In agreement with the Bologna process and recommendations of Berlin Declaration the project enhanced accession of EU Higher Education Area. It provided greater compatibility of university level of education (Level 1, Level 2) within the framework of partner countries LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 25 / 28

26 In accordance with the Berlin Communiqué the project was aimed at elaboration of framework of comparable and compatible qualifications for higher education for the field of career counsellors concerning the workload, study results, competencies and profile. The project aims were closely linked with aims of Lisbon strategy and Strategy EUROPE 2020 and were a part of national reform of education focused on closely connection with labour market. The outcomes contribute to professionalising career guidance in the frame of partner countries. Project followed the important EU documents concerning professionalization of career guidance: International competences for education and vocational guidance practitioners (AIOSP, 2003), Career guidance: A Handbook for Policy Makers (OECD/EC, 2004), Wissenschaftl. Aus- und Weiterbildung zu Berufsberatung im internationalen Vergleich (Ertelt, 2007), Career Guidance and Public Policy International Handbook for Career Guidance (Wats, 2008), Handbook on counselling competencies (ERTELT, SCHULTZ, 2008) Professionalizing career guidance practitioner competences and qualification routes in Europe (CEDEFOP, 2009), Orientación Profesional Nuevos escenarios y perspectivas (Luis M. Sobrado Fernandés, Inspiration from the international projects in the field of career guidance: Leonardo da Vinci Pilot project Modular Distance Learning for European Mobility Career Counsellors (MODILE - EUROCARCO) Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation "Brain Drain - Brain - Gain - Qualification modules for counsellors (BD-BG) ERASMUS Academic Network University Network for Innovation in Guidance & Counselling in Europe (NICE) Career guidance as a tool for improving the enforcement of graduates in the labour market. The EU leaders at the European Council meeting on June 2013 in Brussels endorsed a comprehensive plan to combat youth unemployment. The plan includes: Implementation of the Youth Employment Initiative and the Youth Guarantee Scheme as well as increasing youth mobility and the involvement of social partners LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 26 / 28

27 Solution of youth unemployment problem through modernisation of education by adapting the education system to the labour market. Provision of counselling in the early state of studies in secondary school. Key significance in achieving the aims of European Union concerning economic development, labour market, labour and geographic mobility, human resource development and labour force development rests in career counselling as a tool for: Support of individuals participation in education and vocational training at the choice of realistic and purposeful career. Provision of social inclusion, social and gender equality. The project highlighted the importance of career guidance and human recourse management for achievement of strategic goals of the EU in the field of economic and social development LLP SK-ERASMUS-ECDSP 27 / 28

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