Presentations from International Conference "Motivation for development", Sofia, 10-12 Oct. 2012, organised by Euroguidance and Europass Bulgarian and Foundation Business for education. / Презентации от Международната конференция "Мотивация за развитие", София, 10-12 Окт. 2012, организирана от Еврогайдънс и Европас България, и Фондация на бизнеса за образование. Helmut Kronika speaks about Financing Guidance Services. The video from his appearance is available through our Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/webhrdc/. Хелмут Кроника говори за Финансирането на кариерните услуги. Видеото с неговото представяне е достъпно чрез нашия Youtube канал: http://www.youtube.com/user/webhrdc/.

1. BEST
PERSONAL
Financing Career Services –
Empowering Learners and Clients
A ten years journey of a guidance and training model
realised by BEST in different frameworks and
constellations
International Conference
“Motivation for Development”
10th – 12th October 2012
Bulgaria, Sofia
1

2. AGENDA
1. Introduction BEST
2. The original model: Learning – Orienting – Doing
a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for training and guidance
b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies: the LdV project
“Learn.Empowerment - Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled Unemployed
People” (2004 - 2007)
4. Implementation/Realisation and Transfer of the Model (2004 – 2012)
a) the Austrian Context of Career Guidance and Training
[QPJ – Your Choice, Golden Goal]
b) the European Level: transfer systems into other contexts and societies
[Empower Deprived Learners, ENTER]
4. The journey is going on: current project implementations by BEST
[En Vogue, GARDEN, REACH)
5. Summary: the cornerstones along the journey
2

3. AGENDA
1. Introduction BEST
2. The original model: Learning – Orienting – Doing
a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for training and guidance
b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies: the LdV project
“Learn.Empowerment - Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled Unemployed
People” (2004 - 2007)
4. Implementation/Realisation and Transfer of the Model (2004 – 2012)
a) the Austrian Context of Career Guidance and Training
[QPJ – Your Choice, Golden Goal]
b) the European Level: transfer systems into other contexts and societies
[Empower Deprived Learners, ENTER]
4. The journey is going on: current project implementations by BEST
[En Vogue, GARDEN, REACH)
5. Summary: the cornerstones along the journey
3

4. BEST
PERSONAL
Fact Box
 More than 20 years of experience in
education, training and HR
 Head office in Vienna + 8 branches (Vienna
and Lower Austria)
 Appr. 300 staff members (trainers & head
office)
 2011: appr. 12,000 course participants
 All kinds of training
− e.g. computing
− languages
− business
− oaching and orientation/guidance
− vocational education & training
− on demand company in-house trainings
 Participants: 16+
 Certified European Computer Driving Licence
Test Centre (ECDL), European Communication
Certificate (ECo-C)
4

5. BEST
PERSONAL
Hard skills...
BEST Institut für berufsbezogene
Weiterbildung und Personaltraining
GmbH was founded in 1990 as an
independent vocational qualification
institute.
We qualify employees and unemployed people in economy,
languages, clerical skills, commerce, and computer skills.
BEST, as certified ECDL Test Centre, offers qualification
courses and examinations for the European Computer Driving
Licence (ECDL and ECDL advanced), ECo-C.
We offer training facilities for up to 12,000 people and employ
a staff of more than 300 teachers and trainers.
5

6. BEST
PERSONAL
...and Soft Skills
Working in teams, communication,
networking, flexibility:
These skills have become important
factors at the labour market.
The concepts for lifelong learning and
accompanying coaching are part of our
holistic approach.
6

7. BEST
PERSONAL
based in
Lower Austria
with several centres
stria
e r Au
Low Vie
+4 course
centres
in Vienna
2 most populated federal provinces
Population (in m.): 1,60 (Lower Austria) + 1,69 (Vienna) in 2012
Landscape: mountainous (in SW), to plains (in E) and
hilly region (in NW)
Capitals: St. Pölten (Lower Austria), Vienna (is also Austria’s
capital and biggest metropolitan area) 7

8. BEST
PERSONAL
International Projects
Since Austria joined the EU in 1995, BEST has been
engaged in more than 100 European projects in
the framework of the following EU programmes:
• LEONARDO DA VINCI
• SOCRATES-GRUNDTVIG
• Other European programmes:
eTEN, community initiatives HORIZON
and EQUAL, ESF, Transversal Programme
etc.
Network of more than 150 international organisations.
8

9. BEST
PERSONAL
Some of our recent
international projects
more : http://www.best.at/en/international-projects
9

10. AGENDA
1. Introduction BEST
2. The original model: Learning – Orienting – Doing
a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for training and guidance
b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies: the LdV project
“Learn.Empowerment - Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled Unemployed
People” (2004 - 2007)
4. Implementation/Realisation and Transfer of the Model (2004 – 2012)
a) the Austrian Context of Career Guidance and Training
[QPJ – Your Choice, Golden Goal]
b) the European Level: transfer systems into other contexts and societies
[Empower Deprived Learners, ENTER]
4. The journey is going on: current project implementations by BEST
[En Vogue, GARDEN, REACH)
5. Summary: the cornerstones along the journey
10

11. 2. The original model: Learning – Orienting – Doing
At the open border
An EQUAL development partnership
The development partnership "At the open border" has
supported unemployed persons from the regions
"Waldviertel" and "Weinviertel" in entering the first
labour market and developed and tested innovative
measures for this integration.
For this purpose, twelve organizations cooperated under the
coordination of BEST within the context of the EU Community Initiative
EQUAL. The objective of EQUAL was to combat discrimination and
inequality on the labor market and in the area of education.
Project duration: October 2002- February 2005
11

12. a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for
training and guidance
The concept as developed and applied in the project
 Self directed learning and empowerment can mean
− learners learning on their own
− learners deciding about their learning autonomously
− learners taking responsibility for their learning
progress
 Self directed learning and empowerment does NOT mean
− leaving learners alone
− lack of teacher support
12

13. a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for
training and guidance
Purpose of SDL/Empowerment
 Promote learners’ ability to act in a self-determined,
independent way
 Foster learners’ own initiative
− better learning outcomes for individuals
− learners make use of learning contents in their own
surroundings
 Raise motivation
13

14. a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for
training and guidance
Characteristics of SDL/Empowerment
Educators as Individualised
counsellors learning
SDL/ Independent
Empowerment learning
Variety of
learning places Variety of
methods
14

15. a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for
training and guidance
Main Methodological Elements
 Biographic Work
 Planning the Process/Fixing Individual Goals
 Reflection Accompanying the Process
 Evaluation and Assessment
15

16. b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the
Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
Case Study: “LOT House”
 L-O-T
− “Lernen – Orientieren – Tun”
− “Learning – Orienting – Doing”
 Project for socially disadvantaged people,
based on SDL and Empowerment principles
 Main realisation approach:
− different learning zones
16

17. b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the
Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
LOT-House structure
 Learning and working in 5 different learning zones
17

18. b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the
Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
Info Zone
− Registration
− Information
− Counselling
− Job guidance
− Surf-Station
− E-learning
18

19. b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the
Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
Course zone
 Large variety of courses, e.g.
− Languages
− Computer skills
− Time management
− Self presentation
− “Wellness-courses”
 Flexible course rooms
 Atmosphere of “wellbeing”
19

20. b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the
Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
Workshop zone
 Creative work & handicraft skills
20

21. b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the
Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
Initiative zone
 Project work
− Work in groups
 Training and improvement of social, communicative and
organisational skills
 Absence of local limits
 Flexibility in time
21

22. b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the
Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
The Guides
 Securing long-term re-entering into the labour market
 Individual coaching
 Guidance and counselling of learners throughout the training
programme
 On-going support also offered to learners/clients who finally
got a job
22

23. AGENDA
1. Introduction BEST
2. The original model: Learning – Orienting – Doing
a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for training and guidance
b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies: the LdV project
“Learn.Empowerment - Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled Unemployed
People” (2004 - 2007)
4. Implementation/Realisation and Transfer of the Model (2004 – 2012)
a) the Austrian Context of Career Guidance and Training
[QPJ – Your Choice, Golden Goal]
b) the European Level: transfer systems into other contexts and societies
[Empower Deprived Learners, ENTER]
4. The journey is going on: current project implementations by BEST
[En Vogue, GARDEN, REACH)
5. Summary: the cornerstones along the journey
23

24. 3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies:
the LdV project “Learn.Empowerment -
Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled
Unemployed People” (2004 - 2007)
According to forecasts of employment trends, skill requirements
for jobs are increasing, whereas job opportunities for low-skilled
and unskilled workers are facing a dramatic decline. Since
learning has become a necessary precondition for successful
employment, the concept of "self-directed learning" can be a
solution for this dilemma.
EU-programme: Leonardo da Vinci
Project co-ordinator: BEST, Helmut Kronika
Project period: October 2004 - March 2007
Website: www.learn-empowerment.org
24

25. 3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies:
the LdV project “Learn.Empowerment -
Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled
Unemployed People” (2004 - 2007)
Guidelines and Tool Box
The project aims at two didactic deliverables: The "Guidelines" and a
"Tool Box". The "Guidelines for integration of self-directed learning into
vocational education and training of low-skilled unemployed persons“
focus on:
Creation of environments for action oriented and practically oriented learning
Learning contents for improving the competences of learners
Support structures for trainers
Organisational and structural requirements for self-directed learning
environments
Consideration of gender mainstreaming aspects in all parts of the training process
Introduction of diversity management in the training regarding the various
cultural and social backgrounds of the learners
The "Tool Box" consists of a collection of methods directed at different
target groups and attributed to this new didactic approach.
25

26. 3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies:
the LdV project “Learn.Empowerment -
Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled
Unemployed People” (2004 - 2007)
Analysing tender specifications
The project also addresses another issue: "How can innovative
project results be transferred into the funded training
mainstream?" Currently, the most effective barriers from doing so
are the tender specifications from funding organisations, which do
not allow for high flexibility. Therefore, the project has developed
models to show how tender specifications can be modified in
order to allow for more flexibility.
26

27. 3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies:
the LdV project “Learn.Empowerment -
Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled
Unemployed People” (2004 - 2007)
The project partnership
The project consortium comprised 21 partners from 11 countries.
The multi-actor partnership comprised, apart from expert and
development partners, six labour market administration
organisations and four social partners.
Strong focus on dissemination and exploitation
Deployment Plan for sustainable implementation and realisation
models together with funding bodies for training programmes
Elaboration of transfer strategies on national and European level
27

28. AGENDA
1. Introduction BEST
2. The original model: Learning – Orienting – Doing
a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for training and guidance
b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies: the LdV project
“Learn.Empowerment - Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled Unemployed
People” (2004 - 2007)
4. Implementation/Realisation and Transfer of the Model (2004 – 2012)
a) the Austrian Context of Career Guidance and Training
[QPJ – Your Choice, Golden Goal]
b) the European Level: transfer systems into other contexts and societies
[Empower Deprived Learners, ENTER]
4. The journey is going on: current project implementations by BEST
[En Vogue, GARDEN, REACH)
5. Summary: the cornerstones along the journey
28

29. 4. Implementation/Realisation and Transfer of the
Model (2004 – 2012)
a) the Austrian Context of Career Guidance and Training
In cooperation with the Employment Service Vienna (AMS Wien)
QPJ: Qualification and Perspectives for Young Adults
(2004 – 2009)
− Training, guidance and counselling programme for
1.800 learners/clients
Perspectives/Your Choice
(2009 – 2012)
− Training, guidance and counselling programme for
4.800 learners/clients
29

30. a) the Austrian Context of Career Guidance and Training
In cooperation with Employment Service Vienna and Lower Austria
(AMS Wien and AMS NÖ), as well as Federal Social Office
(Bundessozialamt)
Golden Goal – Skills for Life Programme for Young Adults showing
special needs (2006 – ongoing)
− Several groups taking one-year programmes based on BEST
SDL/Empowerment approach, as well as on the results of the
European project
GOLDEN GOAL
Basic Skills & Communication Training with Integrated
Sport Activities
EU-programme: SOKRATES Grundtvig
Project co-ordinator: BEST, Helmut Kronika
Project period: October 2005 - September 2008
Website: www.golden-goal.at
30

31. a) the Austrian Context of Career Guidance and Training
GOLDEN GOAL
Basic Skills & Communication Training with Integrated
Sport Activities
The overall objective of this GRUNDTVIG project is to enable young
disadvantaged adults with particular "education resistance" to score
their "Golden Goal" by improving their literacy and numeracy skills, and
to promote their social and cultural integration into society.
31

32. b) the European Level: transfer systems into other
contexts and societies
Empower Deprived Learners
A Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation Project
„Learn.Empowerment“ outcomes transferred for use in VET into Slovenia,
Romania and Turkey
Main products:  Train the Trainer Qualification Curriculum
 Didactic Guidelines
 Implementation Concept of how to put these materials
into the learning practice, i.e. raising the interest of educational policy
makers and the respective organisations
EU-programme: Leonardo da Vinci
Project co-ordinator: BEST, Karin Kronika
Project period: November 2007 - October 2009
Website: www.empower-deprived-learners.eu 32

33. b) the European Level: transfer systems into other
contexts and societies
ENTER - Entrepreneurship towards employment
A Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation Project
„Learn.Empowerment“ outcomes transferred for use in VET into
Portugal, UK, Spain, Greece, Hungary with a new focus on
entrepreneurial skills and aspects
EU-programme: Leonardo da Vinci
Project co-ordinator: Instituto de Soldadura e Qualidade (PT)
Project period: 2012 - 2014
33

34. AGENDA
1. Introduction BEST
2. The original model: Learning – Orienting – Doing
a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for training and guidance
b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the Open Boarder” (2002-2005)
3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies: the LdV project
“Learn.Empowerment - Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled Unemployed
People” (2004-2007)
4. Implementation/Realisation and Transfer of the Model (2004 – 2012)
a) the Austrian Context of Career Guidance and Training
[QPJ – Your Choice, Golden Goal]
b) the European Level: transfer systems into other contexts and societies
[Empower Deprived Learners, ENTER]
4. The journey is going on: current project implementations by BEST
[En Vogue, GARDEN, REACH)
5. Summary: the cornerstones along the journey
34

35. 5. The journey is going on: current project
implementations by BEST in cooperation with
Employment Service Vienna (AMS Wien)
New pathways of connecting European developments with the
Austrian market
Based on the outcomes of the project:
En Vogue
a tailor-made educational programme to provide an
attractive stage for young female learners
EU-programme: Grundtvig Multilateral Projects
Project co-ordinator: BEST, Karin Kronika
Project period: November 2009 - October 2011
Website: www.envogue-project.eu
35

36. 5. The journey is going on: current project
implementations by BEST in cooperation with
Employment Service Vienna (AMS Wien)
New pathways of connecting European developments with the
Austrian market
GARDEN your educational life –
a new learning environment and opportunity to
access education and improve employability for
young disadvantaged adults in Europe
EU-programme: Grundtvig Multilateral Projects
Project co-ordinator: BEST, Karin Kronika
Project period: November 2011 – October 2013
Website: www.garden-project.eu
36

37. 5. The journey is going on: current project
implementations by BEST in cooperation with
Employment Service Vienna (AMS Wien)
New pathways of connecting European developments with the
Austrian market
REACH the hard-to reach:
how to engage young learners in workplace training
via mobile assisted learning
EU-programme: Leonardo da Vinci
Project promoter: STIFTELSEN ROGALAND KURS OG
KOMPETANSESENTER Stavanger, NO
Coordinated by: BEST, Karin Kronika
Project period: October 2011 - September 2013
Website: www.reach-project.eu
37

38. AGENDA
1. Introduction BEST
2. The original model: Learning – Orienting – Doing
a) SDL Principles and Empowerment Approaches for training and guidance
b) The “LOT – House” within the EQUAL project “At the Open Boarder” (2002 - 2005)
3. Elaboration of theories and methodologies: the LdV project
“Learn.Empowerment - Self-directed Learning for Low-skilled Unemployed
People” (2004 - 2007)
4. Implementation/Realisation and Transfer of the Model (2004 – 2012)
a) the Austrian Context of Career Guidance and Training
[QPJ – Your Choice, Golden Goal]
b) the European Level: transfer systems into other contexts and societies
[Empower Deprived Learners, ENTER]
4. The journey is going on: current project implementations by BEST
[En Vogue, GARDEN, REACH)
5. Summary: the cornerstones along the journey
38

39. 6. Summary: the cornerstones along the journey
Strong
Partnerships &
Relations
Dedication & Lively exchange &
stamina for deployment interaction between
and further European & national
implementation elements
Cornerstones
along the journey
Openness for Focus on
flexible Adaptation Practicability
Continuous
Learning from
Experience
39

40. BEST
PERSONAL
Thank you for your attention!
BEST Institut für berufsbezogene Weiterbildung
und Personaltraining GmbH
Helmut Kronika helmut.kronika@best.at
Managing Director
Mariahilfer Straße 8
A – 1070 Vienna
T: +43-(0)1- 585 50 50
F:+43-(0)1- 585 50 50 – 77
I: www.best.at
40