"Peer Learning Activity on One Step-up"

20 April 2009 to 22 April 2009
London, UK

Peer Learning Cluster or other group

Working group on adult learning

Background

The third PLA of the working group on adult learning was organised jointly by the European Commission, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and the National Research and Development Centre (NRDC). 

It was set within the framework of the implementation of the Action Plan on adult learning ‘It is always a good time to learn’.

Its main purpose was to focus on policy and practice relating to the One Step Up approach, with specific reference to: 

  • How is progression measured and recorded?
  • How can the rate of progression be increased? 

These questions were considered in relation to adult learning, with particular emphasis on low qualified adults.

During the PLA a number of key issues emerged for discussion and debate including: 

  • Learner engagement - getting in
  • Learner persistence – staying on
  • Learner progression/achievement – getting on
  • Learner progression - moving on
  • Overall recording and monitoring

Description

Some key lessons learnt:

A series of conclusions emerged at the end of the PLA. Those mainly stressed the following aspects: 

  • The need for terminology;
  • Putting in place the One Step Up initiative;
  • Engaging learners;
  • Supporting learner persistence;
  • Measuring learner achievement;
  • Recording learner achievement;
  • Parallel research;
  • Continuing professional development. 

Recommendations: 

  • Bring together the results of this PLA with the results of the PLA on adult learning monitoring (Bratislava, 22 – 25 March 2009) and the forthcoming PLA on validation of non-formal and informal learning (Prague, 21 – 24 June 2009); 
  • Member States should ensure that the results of this PLA get wide distribution in the context of ongoing work to develop national qualifications frameworks in the majority ofthe respective countries; 
  • Work with the European social partners to encourage them and their counterparts at Member State level to initiate and/or support One Step Up initiatives for low-qualified workers; 
  • Act as a catalyst/provide a platform at European and national level for, exchanges between experts and practitioners, etc.
For further reading, see:
 
Knowledge System for Lifelong Learning