The document discusses combining learning and working through lifelong learning initiatives in the Netherlands. It provides an example of how Rockwool, a company with 1200 employees, implemented validation of prior learning (VPL) to help employees gain qualifications and advance their careers. Through VPL and tailored education programs developed with a local education institution, Rockwool saw benefits like increased employee motivation, efficiency savings, and reduced education costs. The document also outlines national goals to increase adult education rates and discusses interdepartmental efforts between 2007-2009 to support regional partnerships and address barriers to learning and skills development for both employed and unemployed individuals.

1. Combining Learning and Working: regional task with national support

2. First : A task Working in six groups (2 or 3 people) (15 minutes) Discussion about: Group 1: Profit of VPL for individual Group 2: Profit of VPL for organisation Group 3: Profit of VPL for society Group 4: Costs of VPL for individual Group 5: Costs of VPL for organisation Group 6: Costs of VPL for society Short presentation of your findings to the group

3. Dutch VPL Example Rockwool ROCKWOOL: 1200 employees 8 productlines Crosstraining Courses  adviseurs Working together with ROC Maastricht Context VaPro Goal: In-company development of employees (from working with hands to operator)

4. Dutch VPL Example Rockwool Situation/Problem: Obstacle = 4 – 5 year education to become operator Technical developments / flexibility / shortage of employees Insufficient recognition of working experience Education not able to deliver tailor made education Function/Technical and diploma focus and not competences Solution: Education has to be tailor made; you don’t have to learn things twice Competence management : valuation of function, education, development all in under the same name VPL within HRD policy and practice

5. Dutch VPL Example Rockwool How?: Information (creating basis) Training team leaders and internal assessors Quick scan Selection of employees (on experience, background, level, motivation) Making a “portfolio” Internal and external assessment Consultation / Personal development Plan Evaluation

6. Dutch VPL Example Rockwool Standards: External: Kwalificationstructure Vapro Internal: Move on model Production Function profile

7. Dutch VPL Example Rockwool Benefits: Loosing obstacles Motivation for valuation: show what you can Employees want to develop further Efficiency (less hours for training) Using the present competences Using national competence profiles Aimed at practice Individual route possible Shorter study / same diploma Educational costs reduction for Rockwool: € 105k in stead €160k

8. Dutch VPL Example Rockwool Back to the results of the Project Unit Learning and Working >

9. Combining Learning and Working: regional task with national support

10. Why enforcing Life Long Learning? In 2010 Europe wants to be the top economy of the world In 2010 the Netherlands want to be in the top 3 of Europe Social Inclusion: empower everybody

11. What are the goals? Going from 16,4% to at least 20% education for adults From 73% to 80 % of total employees with start qualification In 2004 20-30% more higher educated people

12. A lot has been done… Local and regional initiatives, focussed on youth and jobseekers Taskforce jeugdwerkloosheid (unemployed youth) Courses and education within organisations 3,5 billion is spend by the government on adult education

13. But still… 25% of working population without start qualification 250.000 illiterates and 1 million people with language and mathematical problems Shortage of higher educated people

14. What should be done? More attention for learning of working people and jobseekers Making Life Long Learning possible for everyone Platform: learning from each other, use Good Practices

15. Interdepartmental project unit Temporaly project (2 years, till December 2007) of Ministries of Labour ánd Education, with support of Agriculture and Economic Affairs Project unit Learning and Working make deals with regional and sectoral players Helps to solve problems Subsidies communities of practice

16. Working together with Enterprises Representatives of employers and employees Local governments Educational institutes Public Employement Services (CWI´s) Chambers of commerce Education funds

17. Three project lines 1. Dual education: regional communities of practice to accomplish 15.000 extra dual places 2. Learning / Working Desk : VPL, career guidance, portfolio and on-line portal 3. Remove obstacles, promote and innovate

18. Results now… 35 covenants with sectors or regions with: Dual places:, 19.950 dual places Learning / Working Desk: 16.645 VPL-procedures

19. Covenants + learning / working desks Rotterdam Carrosserie Rivierenland Groene Kenniscoöperatie West-Brabant Levensmiddelen Groningen Hoofdbedrijfschap Ambachten Den Haag & Overheid Noord-Holland Noord Eindhoven Rijn Gouwe KC Handel Start en MKB Nederland Amsterdam Utrecht Bouw Zeeland Doetinchem UWV en Borea Arnhem-Nijmegen Horeca

20. On line portal Online portal www.opleidingenberoep.nl together with Taskforce Jeugdwerkloosheid September 2006: promotion campaign September 2007: portal full operational

21. www.leren-werken.nl Questions?