The e-VOC project aims to offer a new online learning module thereby improving accessibility and quality of training for Volunteer Coordinators on the validation of volunteer competences. To do so, four organisations from four European countries have joined forces to develop the first open and multilingual online training course for Volunteer Coordinators on the validation of non-formal learning competencies in the voluntary sector.
Working together until spring 2018, the partners will co-design, test and launch the online module for Volunteer Managers. Volunteer Managers that complete the module will be to create learning outcomes for their volunteer programmes with the aim of bringing their volunteers on a formal educational journey aligned with accreditation systems. Volunteers will be able to map their learning from their experiences to the programme learning outcomes and be able to demonstrate active learning. In leveraging Volunteer Managers capacity to instil a love of learning with volunteers, the module will highlight lifelong learning opportunities.
This project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, is a joint initiative of the Spanish Volunteering Platform (Spain), CSVnet (Italy), EDOS Foundation (The Netherlands), and National University of Ireland, Galway with Volunteer Ireland (Ireland).
Online training course on the validation of competences in the European voluntary sector
This online training course includes content for 120 hours of e-learning and is divided into 4 units. Following the technical specifications of the ECVET, the training course has been structured in units of learning outcomes. Furthermore, learning outcomes have been defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence according to the EQF.
What is a competence; what is the validation of competences; the importance of the validation of competences for the motivation of volunteers; and the standards for a good definition of competences.
To identify and define competences.
To be able to independently identify and define the competencies acquired by volunteers.
What are the EQF and the European credit systems ECTS and ECVET; the mechanisms of the European credit systems ECTS and ECVET for the validation of the non-formal and informal learning; what are the most popular European tools for the validation of competences and how they work.
To define competencies using the EQF and the technical specifications of the ECTS and ECVET for the validation within these credit systems of non-formal and informal learning; to present the competences acquired by volunteers using the Europass documents (Europass CV, Europass Skills Passport, and Europass Mobility).
To be able to independently define using the EQF and the technical specifications of the ECTS and ECVET the competences acquired by the volunteers; and to present them using the Europass documents (Europass CV, Europass Skills Passport, and Europass Mobility).
What is a procedure for the validation of competences, its phases from the identification of needs, throughout the initial development until the final implementation; the standards for the good development and implementation of procedures for the validation of competences using the European validation systems and tools.
To identify the needs of voluntary organisations regarding the implementation of procedures for the validation of competences; to develop and implement, using the European validation systems and tools, procedures for the validation of competences to respond to the needs identified in voluntary organisations and their volunteers.
To be able to independently develop and implement, using the European validation systems and tools, procedures for the validation of competences to respond to the needs identified in voluntary organisations and their volunteers.
What is the meaning of evaluation, follow-up and update of the procedures for the validation of competences; and the standards for a good evaluation, follow-up and update of the procedures for the validation of competences.
To use different tools and methods of evaluation and follow-up; to identify and implement on the procedures for the validation of competences improvements and updates according to the last developments in this field at European level.
To be able to independently evaluate, follow-up and update according to the last developments in this field at European level, the procedures for the validation of competences in voluntary organisations.
Each unit includes several tools for the assessment of the learning outcomes. At the end of the online training course you can obtain a Certificate that you can attach to your Europass documents.
