Ms From March 13 to March 14, 2024, a workshop was organized in Athens, focusing on enhancing competence-based assessments for micro-credentials in Ukraine. This initiative, led by the European Training Foundation (ETF) in collaboration with EVBB, AFPA, and EVTA, successfully brought together 33 Ukrainian vocational education and training (VET) experts. Held at the Metropolitan College Global Engagement, and hosted by AKMI the workshop aimed to foster international cooperation and exchange best practices to strengthen Ukraine’s VET system.
Objectives
The workshop’s primary objectives were to:
- Develop a robust strategy and precise methodology for advancing competence-based assessments in Ukraine.
- Facilitate the exchange of insights and best practices among international experts and Ukrainian VET professionals.
- Engage participants in hands-on activities to enhance their understanding and application of competence assessments.
A Program of Diversity and Depth
Across two dynamic days, attendees immersed themselves in a program blending presentations, group discussions, mini-hackathons, and cultural immersion. From the get-go, the emphasis was on understanding the landscape of competence-based assessments, learning from the successes within Europe, and exploring the integration of new technologies. The workshop kicked off with high-profile insights into the criticality of competence assessment and moved towards practical, innovative problem-solving exercises.
Mr Iikka Upanne from Omnia Education Partnerships – Finland delved into the fundamentals of competence assessment, while Ms Olena Bekh from ETF explored innovative assessment practices in Ukraine. Mr Antonios Glaros and Mr Spyros Protopsaltis discussed the application of competency assessments in Greece, highlighting quality assurance and labor market integration. Mr Alex Lenoir and Mr Marek Marczak shared insights from France and Poland on designing assessments for micro-credentials. Mr Stefano Tirati focused on crafting assessments for teacher competencies, and Mr Laurent De Dalto showcased the transformative potential of Virtual Reality in vocational training. Together, these speakers provided a comprehensive overview of current challenges and innovative strategies in vocational education assessment.
What Lies Ahead?
The journey doesn’t end here. The collaboration between ETF, EVBB, AFPA, and EVTA will continue, focusing on bringing to life the workshop’s recommendations. Through enhanced cross-sector collaboration, leveraging technological advancements, and refining assessment practices, this partnership is poised to ensure that Ukraine’s VET system not only meets but exceeds the dynamic demands of the global labor market. This initiative marks a significant step towards a future where Ukrainian vocational education is synonymous with excellence and innovation.
The Athens workshop may have concluded, but its impact is just beginning to unfold. As we look towards the future, the path is clear: through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to quality, Ukrainian VET is on its way to becoming a beacon of excellence on the global stage.
