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01.12.10
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Newsletter
for European Research in Learning and Work [L&W]
Dear Colleagues
This is the second edition of the L&W Newsletter in its new format
- highlighting the latest news on European research in learning and work,
centred on major categories: conferences, networks, projects, programmes
of study, and publications. It focuses on transnational research activities
in the field of human resource development (HRD) and vocational education
and training (VET) within Europe. Many thanks to all who contributed information
for this edition of the Newsletter! The next edition will appear in early
February 2011. You are invited to submit short pieces of news (texts without
attachments, but including links to web resources) - by 31 January 2011
at the latest!
With best wishes
Sabine Manning
Research Forum WIFO
Editor of the L&W Newsletter
Conferences
Last call for papers: 4th INAP Conference
The International Network on Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP) invites
contributions to its 4th international research conference, May 26th -
27th, 2011, Beijing, China. The conference will focus on the following
topics related to apprenticeship learning and the acquisition of expertise:
Developing curricula and qualification systems; Learning and development
theories and models; Measuring competence development; Multiple roles of
universities, schools and their teaching and training staff.
The conference organisers welcome contributions, based on original
research, that facilitate knowledge transfer to regional, national and
international policy-makers and actors in accordance with best international
standards. Papers will be selected for presentation on the basis of the
recommendation of an academic review panel. Contributors are asked to submit
a two-page outline of their paper that includes: a summary of the paper
of around 500 - 700 words, a provisional table of contents and bibliography.
All outlines should be sent to the organisers at beijing2011@uni-bremen.de
by Dec, 15th, 2010. Further information at:
http://www.innovative-apprenticeship.net
.
(Posted by: Ursel Hauschildt
uhauschildt@uni-bremen.de)
12th HRD Conference
Plans for the 12th International Conference on Human Resource Development
Research and Practice across Europe are well underway at the University
of Gloucestershire, England. The conference, which takes place 25-27
May 2011, has a theme of “Sustaining Growth Through Human Resource
Development” and is set to have a stimulating programme of events
and influential keynote speakers including Professor Joseph Raelin, prolific
writer and avid student of the many approaches that support work-based
learning. Set in the beautiful regency town of Cheltenham, the conference
is also an ideal opportunity to explore this historic area and the surrounding
glorious countryside of the Cotswolds. For information about booking
and paper submissions please visit
http://hrdconference2011.glos.ac.uk.
(Posted by: Sue Prior
sprior@glos.ac.uk)
Innovations for Competence Management conference
The Innovations for Competence Management conference will take place
19 to 20 May, 2011 in Lahti, Finland. This international conference is
designed to be an integrative platform between the representatives of educational
organizations and working life. The conference focuses on various innovative
and future-oriented topics and, within these themes, a number of streams
have been identified: Competence management (i.e. HRM, HRD, Competence
foresight, Strategic human resource management); Proactive organizations
(i.e. Foresight of future competencies, Organization’s strategies
and practices, Innovation capability, Innovative practices in business,
Knowledge management); Educational organizations in innovation systems
(i.e. Regional development, Expectations between working life and education).
Please find all necessary information online at www.phkk.fi/kit/conference
. Looking forward to welcoming you in Lahti, 2011!
(Posted by: Pirjo Tuusjärvi pirjo.tuusjarvi@phkk.fi)
NOTE: Forthcoming and recent events related to European research
in work and learning are listed on the WIFO Conference page [www.conferences.wifo-gate.org].
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Networks
"Trainers in Europe" platform
We would like to invite you to become a member of the „Trainers
in Europe“ platform (www.trainersineurope.org).
The platform aims at establishing linkage between researchers and practitioners
of VET trainers across Europe. Its construction principle is based on social
network sites like Facebok or LinkedIn, but with the professional focus
on VET practitioners. Each member is allowed to set up groups, forums,
or events. It is not mandatory to create them in English, we are also happy
to host groups and discussion forums in every other language. Events are
any kind of events related to the topic of VET trainers e. g. workshop,
conferences, professional development courses. You don’t need
to be affiliated with a certain event. Instead, we kindly ask you to share
the information about upcoming events you find interesting.
The platform has currently 220 members with an increasing number of
non-European members. Through the keywords “trainers”
and “Europe” in our URL, we are the first ranked page
in Google search. The platform is an outcome of the “Network
to support trainers in Europe”, a Leonardo funded project. We
hope that this platform is an easy way for you to share your thoughts with
interested peers and to disseminate your results and events.
(Posted by: Eileen Lübcke <eluebcke@uni-bremen.de>)
Website of ReNAdET launched
ReNAdET is ESREA’s Research Network on Adult Educators, Trainers
and their Professional Development that addresses a large variety of issues
relevant to research on adult educators and trainers in Europe, such as
initial education and training of adult educators and related staff; access,
recruitment and career paths for adult educators & trainers; professionalisation
and attractiveness of their profession; continuing and in-service education
and training for adult educators & assessment of their role; duties,
roles and identities for adult educators and related staff; methods and
qualities of practice; policy making and its impact on adult educators’
roles and practices.
ReNAdET has recently launched its official website. The network’s
website is created to serve as a means for sharing and disseminating information
that is theme-relevant to the network’s aims. It will also serve
as a link and reference point among network members. Members can be registered
for free at any time on the website, and they can contribute to any of
its sections on themes and issues that relate to projects, activities,
conferences, initiatives and publications relevant to research on adult
educators, trainers and their professionalisation in Europe. More information
can be found on the website http://www.esrea-renadet.net/
or through e-mail to esrea.renadet@yahoo.com
(Posted by: Georgios
K. Zarifis gzarifis@edlit.auth.gr)
NOTE: Further information on research networks in the field of
European work and learning can be obtained from the WIFO page Networks
at a glance [www.networks.wifo-gate.org].
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Projects
Fit for business (Fifobi)
Regarding the EU-wide tension due to increasing technical developments,
proceeding automation as well as globalization, the three-year EU project
“Fit for business – Developing business competencies
in school” (“Fifobi”), which is funded as
a multilateral project within the Lifelong Learning Program, aims to optimize
economic education and to promote the entrepreneurial spirit of young Europeans.
It investigates the forms and contents of economic and entrepreneurship
education in public schools in seven different EU countries (Germany, Latvia,
Austria, Poland, Portugal, Scotland and Hungary).
This comparative study, focusing on the last two years of (general)
compulsory education, is based on analyses of the relevant curricula and
interviews with teachers and social partners. These analyses shall demonstrate
the strengths and weaknesses in the particular school systems and finally
lead to a publication of best practice approaches. By learning from the
mistakes and successes of other countries, the project Fifobi can have
positive effects on the transition of young people from compulsory education
into the labour market and on lifelong learning. For more information see
http://www.great.uni-koeln.de/11462.html?&L=1
(Posted by: Susanne Berger susanne.berger@uni-koeln.de)
Management of generational shift in SMEs (SKRAT)
The ageing process in society reflects badly on the labour market,
with particular implications for SMEs. Retirements, along with other turnover
processes, are sharpening the problem, since it implies a loss of Human
Capital for organizations, specially concerning that from senior employees;
it needs then to become Structural Capital, for the Know-How to be
an intangible, permanent and unalterable asset. Therefore, a lack of an
adequate Human Resource Management, in general, and Know-How Management,
in particular, jeopardizes the present and future competitiveness of SMEs.
SKRAT is aimed at helping SMEs in this regard; its methodology, detailed
in the “Tool-Kit”, revolves around strategic planning
and activity planning. The partnership - present in Spain, Portugal, Italy,
United Kingdom, Germany and Romania - has just finalized the testing phase
and will soon deliver a Good Practice Manual detailing general conclusions
and common factors from field tests, along with descriptions of how the
supporting material has helped to get started with strategic practices
for retention and transmission of Know-How in SMEs in the metal sector.
(www.know-how-retention.eu
)
(Posted by: Elmo De Angelis
training2000@training2000.it)
Virtual Learning on building sites (Vila-b)
Skilled workers and companies in the building sector are facing new
challenges when it comes to an ecological and environmental-friendly renovation
of old buildings: modern building materials, new technologies and changed
processing methods in the light of the current discussions of problems
regarding raw materials and climate change. The project “Virtual
learning on the building site – Vila-b” therefore pursues
the development of a further training course with the aid of a didactically
oriented design of Virtual Learning. The central element of “learning
in the work process” is combined with “learning the
work place at home” and “learning in attendance training
lessons” in the sense of Blended Learning.
In order to facilitate learning during the work process, a mobile digital
device in the form of a PDA application will be used. The actual work actions
are planned, documented and reflected with the aid of this device. Thus
the development of competences of the skilled workers is enhanced by coping
with concrete tasks and by overcoming the challenges. This approach encompasses
active learning through real actions. For further information please visit
our website www.vila-b.de
(Posted by: Sven Schulte
svschult@uni-bremen.de)
NOTE: The Overview of European research projects
[www.projects.wifo-gate.org],
provided as part of the WIFO Gateway, includes references to nearly 20
current partnership projects related to VET and HRD.
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Programmes
Directory of Masters Programmes
The new edition of the Directory (www.master.wifo-gate.org),
released in October 2010, presents 114 Masters programmes related to HRD
and VET in 23 European countries. Driven by the Bologna process, the evolution
of Masters programmes in continental Europe has not only reshaped higher
education, but also highlights professional fields developing at the institutions
concerned. Latest programmes include the following themes: Adult education
and developmental work research (Finland), Counselling (Malta), International
vocational education (Germany), Training of trainers (Romania), Vocationomics
(Germany). The whole thematic spectrum of programmes can be looked up in
an index arranged according to five areas: Education/ LLL; Vocational education;
Human resource development; Business/ Human resource management; Organisation/
Work (see
http://www.b.shuttle.de/wifo/l&w-pro/overview.htm).
(Contributed by: Sabine Manning)
Corporate University Management Programme
Within the G-ACUA framework, the School of Corporate University Performance
Management now provides a Master Practitioner professional development
award in recognition of the executive management skills achieved in real-time
strategic learning process design and management. The on-line, action learning
based, programme has full flexibility for Cohort Learning, Business Partnerships
and Open-Enrolment. Details and immediate registration at www.g-acua.org
Chairman, The Global Association of Corporate Universities and Enterprise
Academies richarddealtry@btconnect.com
Tel: +44(0)121 4298995 Mob: +44(0)7815 651 830
(Posted by: Richard Dealtry)
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Publications
Call for Papers: Special Issue on Continuing
Professional Development
The International Journal of Training and Development invites papers
for a special issue of the journal on continuing professional development,
which is due for publication in 2012. The editors for this issue are Kaija
Collin, Beatrice I. J. M. van der Heijden, and Paul Lewis. If you wish
your manuscript to be considered, an extended abstract of no more than
750 words should be sent to Dr Paul Lewis (IJTDpl@btinternet.com)
by 30th April 2011. For more information, visit
www.WileyOnlineLibrary.com/Journal/IJTD
(Posted by: Paul Lewis )
"The fundamentals of workplace learning" - Knud Illeris
The main idea behind the book is to examine the topic of workplace
learning from the point of view of improving learning and to include the
situation and motivation of the learner - somewhat contrary to mainstream
organisational and economic oriented approaches, which have a tendency
to see learning as a rather mechanical matter and treat the learners as
a kind of objects - but also to introduce workplace learning from a learning
theoretical point of view and to go through a broad variety of learning
possibilities and arrangements at work or in working life. The book has
been anchored partly in empirical and developmental work in Denmark and
partly in broader international connections including project work involving
researchers from Europe, North and South America and Australia. For detailed
information on the book, to be published by Routledge in December 2010,
see
http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415579070/
(Contributed by: Knud Illeris KIL@dpu.dk)
ECER VETNET Proceedings
Following ECER 2010 in Helsinki, the submitted papers from the VETNET
programme (41) have been published in the annual Proceedings (www.ecer-vetnet.wifo-gate.org),
bringing the total collection of papers since 1998 up to 430. A high proportion
of this year's papers, as in previous VETNET programmes, address European
(project-related) themes, including 'EQF effect on qualification processes'
(Dif), 'quality of in-company training' (Deitmer, Kämäräinen)
and 'recognition of informal learning' (Annen). A few rare or first-ever
subjects are worth noting: 'multicultural VET' (Lasonen), 'entrepreneurs
in small business' (Lans et al.) and 'taxonomy for teaching for transfer'
(Aarkrog). Most frequent are papers analysing issues of 'learning' (vocational
or work-related), adding to a growing resource of research in this area
(about 100 papers). The Index of the total Proceedings (1998-2010) provides
overviews arranged by author, country and keyword, also including a complete
bibliography of all submitted papers (authors see
http://www.b.shuttle.de/wifo/p-index1.htm).
(Contributed by: Sabine Manning)
NOTE: Books with a focus on cross-European issues of work and
learning are being presented on the WIFO Bookshelf [www.books.wifo-gate.org].
In addition, the WIFO Gateway provides a classified collection of European
and international Journals related to education research [www.journals.wifo-gate.org].
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Impressum
Editor of the L&W Newsletter:
Dr Sabine Manning, Research Forum WIFO (sm@wifo-gate.org);
Address: Neue Blumenstr.
1, D-10179 Berlin, Germany;
Editions of the L&W Newsletter:
five times a year, every two months (at the beginning of February, April,
June, August, October, December);
Deadline for contributions
to the L&W Newsletter: end of January, March, May, July, September,
November;
Circulation of the current
L&W Newsletter: about 1100 experts in 40 countries;
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