Completed project · 2017–2018
Assessing the competences of semi-skilled and unskilled people at vocational schools in preparation for an external examination
KofeBS develops and tests a competence assessment procedure at four vocational schools in Bremen. Its target group comprises semi-skilled and unskilled recipients of benefits under Books II and III of the German Social Code and employees without vocational qualifications. Tailored individual training measures will prepare them for external examinations. Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), the project operates under the Senator for Economic Affairs, Labour and Ports' state programme ‘Progress through Education and Guidance’.
Many workers acquire occupational competences during their working lives but cannot provide formal evidence because they lack a qualification. External examinations administered by chambers of commerce and industry or chambers of crafts allow them to obtain a recognised occupational qualification without completing the corresponding training programme. However, individual preparatory training is usually needed to make examination success likely.
Based on analysis of proven elements in existing approaches, the project develops a competence assessment procedure that vocational school teachers can apply flexibly to individual needs. Experience from its use is evaluated and feeds back into optimisation. This provides a basis for establishing competence assessment as a new, potentially permanent responsibility for vocational schools in Bremen.