Completed project · 2019–2020
Assessing the competences of semi-skilled and unskilled people at vocational schools in preparation for an external examination
The KofeBS follow-up project extends and evaluates competence assessment for semi-skilled and unskilled recipients of benefits under Books II and III of the German Social Code and employees without vocational qualifications to further training occupations. It also examines whether competence assessments and continuing training can be sustainably established at vocational schools. Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), it operates under the Senator for Economic Affairs, Labour and Europe’s state programme ‘Progress through Education and Guidance’.
Against the background of skills shortages and demographic change, validating informal learning plays an important role in business and policy in reducing the mismatch between unmet demand for skilled workers and an oversupply of unqualified labour.
The preceding project developed a competence assessment procedure that vocational school teachers can adapt to assess semi-skilled and unskilled people. Developed for seven training occupations so far, it will continue to be tested and evaluated in KofeBS II and extended to hairdressing and butchery.
Alongside testing and optimising the procedure, the project analyses two sets of conditions: those required to establish competence assessments permanently at vocational schools, and whether tailored continuing training for KofeBS participants can also be sustainably established there.
