DISC News Spot - Updated 24/02/09

Conference on new European initiative to improve prospects for workers with valuable informal skills but no formal qualifications

 Thousands of workers without qualifications could benefit from a conference to be held inDurham Feb 11 – 13.

The event brings together vocational training leaders from seven European countries to work on ways of recognising the skills people who missed out on formal education have gained through work experience, volunteering, and short courses.

The European Union initiative will enable skills and employment specialists to develop new methods of measuring and validating a range of skills that employers value - like good communication, reliability, and a positive approach to problem-solving.

Research shows that 70% of non-vocational skills are acquired informally at home, at work and through voluntary work, rather than in educational institutions – and it’s a growing area of interest for employers and economists.

The event is hosted by northern charity Developing Initiatives for Supporting in the Community (DISC). It is funded through the European Union’s Leonardo Lifelong Learning Programme, which is managed by Ecotec and the British Council.

DISC director Mark Weeding said: “We are delighted to welcome our partners to the North East and host this event. It’s a great opportunity to share best practice, and it’s really good news for people who have missed out on formal education and qualifications for whatever reason.”

DISC staff will share their expertise developed by running a wide variety of successful schemes to enable people to address the issues that act as barriers to employment.

One scheme is Entry to Employment (E2E), which offers pre-vocational preparation to young people and enables them to overcome the hurdles preventing them from progressing into education, training or work. Participants focus on personal and social development, basic and key skills and vocational awareness over a period of 6 months. E2E is a nationwide programme for the 16-18 year NEET group (Not In Employment, Education or Training).

Another example is Progress2Work, which offers holistic one to one support to people who have had problems with substance misuse and face numerous barriers when they try to find work. Progress2Work is a government initiative for 16-65 year olds funded through Job Centre Plus.

DISC is one of 9 organisations involved in the validation of learning partnership. The other 8 partners are from France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland and Spain.

Updated 24/02/09