1.    A mapping for all laws, policies, and programs hat exist on a national, regional and/or local level concerning the evaluation of skills

In Austria the whole education and qualification system is embedded in the NQR -  Nationaler Qalifikationsrahmen (National Qualification Framework). It includes also non-formal qualification and has to offer the possibility to visualize all parts of vocational education in adult learning to fulfil the demands of lifelong learning strategies. Herewith lifelong learning shall be promoted and put into action.

 

The evaluation of the different Key competences is competence specific:

• KC1: Communication the mother tongue
• At the Age of 18 years the only evaluation for adults is at the end of high-school / vocational high-school. The final exams called “Matura” evaluate the competences in mother tongue German (for migrants it’s the educational language). The “Matura” also give s in general the allowance to study at all Austrian university (some of them have additional entrance exams to evaluate study specific competences) .

 

• KC2: Communication in foreign languages
• At the Age of 18 years the only evaluation for adults is at the end of high-school / vocational high-school. The final exams called “Matura” mostly evaluate the competences in one or more foreign languages. Mainly English, French, sometimes Italian, Spanish, Russian and some other languages depending on type and location (region) of school. According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CERF) the first foreign language will be evaluated on the level B2 (after 8 years of learning), the second foreign language will be evaluated on the level B1 (after 4-6 years of learning).
• Adults further more can evaluate their foreign language competences with ECL exams at the end of the course booked at vocational training centers or after non-fomal/informal learning directly at ECL test centers. Exams are based on the CERF.
• THE ÖSD  Diploma is especially for migrants learning German as foreign language. Here the foreing language competence is testes based on CERF and peple get a ÖSD Diploma . The german language courses can be attended at  vocational training centers. The AMS (Public Employment Service Austria) also offers unemployed migrants German language courses specificly designed for the target group, carried out at specified vocational training centers – here also the ÖSD Exam/Diploma can be taken at the end of the course.
• A good command of German language is required if migrants apply for the Austrian citizenship. Here proving documents are taken for evaluation: official  German language diploma in B1 (ÖSD, ECL), school reports that prove that the primary and secondary school was done in Austria and the grade for German Language (mother tongue teaching) was positive.

 

• KC3: Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology
• At the Age of 18 years the only evaluation for adults is at the end of high-school / vocational high-school. The final exams called “Matura” evaluate the competences in mathematics. In vocational High Schools the “Matura” also evaluates basic competences in technology in the field of the learned profession (electrician, engineering & construction etc.)
• At the Age of 18 years also the final exams for apprenticeship are taken at the Chamber of Commerce. Here the basic competences in technology are evaluated in the field of the learned profession (electrician, engineering & construction etc.).

 

• KC4: Digital competence
• The digital competence in adult learning is evaluated as final EDCL - exams after computer courses in vocational training. The courses are offered at vocational training centers all overAustriaas well as in specific courses for unemployed by the AMS.

 

• KC5: Learning to learn
• No specific evaluation – here only seminars are offered to improve learning.

 

• KC6: Social and civic competences
• To achieve Austrian citizen ship as migrant it is required to pass an exam proving the knowledge aboutAustria, Austrian history etc. – this is the only public evaluation on that offered, despite of some subject in school for undergraduate.

 

• KC7: Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship
• Here the evaluation is embedded in programs to support start-ups. These programs are offered by different institutions like banks, vocational training centers contracted by the AMS as wel as the Chamber of commerce. A Main factor in evaluation of these competences is the completion of a business plan.

 

• KC8: Cultural awareness and expression
• No specific evaluation

 

2.    Definition of basic competences recognized in each country and the concerned actors in private and public sectors

In Austria the whole education and qualification system is embedded in the NQR -  Nationaler Qalifikationsrahmen (National Qualification Framework). In accordance with that the Volkshochschulen (specific vocational training centers with branches in many regions)) developed a competence oriented reference system for their course planning. A framework curriculum has been developed.

 

3.    Tools used, methodology and how are they applied

Basically the well established evaluation tools are used inAustrialike  EDCL, ÖSD, ECL etc. in vocational training. Furthermore the final exams in Highschools also contribute to this evaluation.

On the level on private vocational training centers a variety of tools is used to evaluate at the course beginning several competences for this specific purpose. These tools are neither standardized nor available to the public.

 

4.    Accessibility to these evaluations to vulnerable groups (they need to pay, easy to know about, …etc)

In general, all tools provided via courses of the public employment services Austria (AMS) are free of charge. Also the final school exams are free of charge in most of the cases. All other tools are based on fees to be paid by the individuals.

The accessibility is given as most of the persons from vulnerable groups are registered with the AMS. Furthermore organizations like the “Integrationshaus” and “Migrant.at” for example support also persons who are not registered at the AMS yet due to their status of immigration.

 

5.    Efficiency and  limitations

• Some of the competences unfortunately have rarely a chance to be evaluated (especially KC 5 and KC 8), some competences of adults are only evaluated at the end of highschool (especially KC 1, KC3).
• For many competences there is no standardized evaluation like the ones in KC2 for example. We even do not have a standardized “Matura” at the end of highschool – we only have a frame and it is in the hand of the teachers to choose the questions and topics. Therefore we do not have really the chance for comparison. The standardization of the final exams in high-school  is in progress now but was postponed again.