Assessment and certification of vocational training in Kosovo: proceedings, conclusions and recommendations from the Certification Working Group

In January 2002, the Kosovo Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare established a working group of key adult training providers and Ministry officials, to review existing practice and identify options for assessment and certification of training provided by the centres within the Ministry's vocational training services. The Group undertook three major activities: information collection about existing practices within the adult training network; the development of viable proposals; and the implementation of a pilot project to determine how certification could be established by way of interim certification institutions. This paper outlines the issues raised in the discussions which focused on the following key concerns: who should be assessed; why assessment should occur; who should undertake the assessments; what should be assessed; when should assessment be carried out; and how should it be undertaken. The main recommendations of the workshop were: (a) that a central policy framework for assessment and certification be established with interim supporting institutions which could eventually become permanent structures; (b) that policy and operational guidelines for assessment and certification of vocational training for trainees, instructors, vocational training courses, and training providers be elaborated; and (c) that a more global skills certification and qualifications structure be developed for Kosovo, possibly based on experiences of the pilot adult training services. Show less