Certification and assessment of lifelong learning - New methodologies of certification through regional development agencies

All European governments have active policies of encouraging business to involve in new technologies and life long learning, through grants and support. This paper aims at understanding a methodological frame of certification for professional qualifications acquired via informal learning. Thus, it is necessary to develop a formal process. The responsibility of this process will have at least one recognized national institution which will closely collaborate with: a. The Social Partners b. Private enterprises c. Organizations of wide public sector Municipalities (like Municipality of Voula in Greece) created Regional Development Agencies (RDA) against unemployment and seek job opportunities. The RDAs and the Vocational Training Centres are interested to evaluate skills of the unemployed citizens that come to be served. A OR (operational research) based model was made as a tool for RDAs that consists of tests, evaluations, and tutoring. The quantitative dimension of the model is very important. When each candidate wants to certify his professional qualifications he/she gets credits. The candidate evaluation takes into account the formal qualifications required by legislation includes the skills and the relevant professional experience but also relates to qualifications from his attendance of professional training seminars. Informal learning and professional training should be added to the professional qualifications. The methodology here gives an exit for the recognition of professional training and it can be applied in many professions. RDAs are some of the most proper organizations to provide certificated training programs using new technologies customized for each employee or businessman or an unemployed citizen and their local needs. RDAs have the advantage to combine funds from the European Union, the national or the local government and demand a very small amount from the individual persons that come to be served.