Muinin-Confidence – Building Institutional Confidence in Work/life learning and Experience RPL EQUAL Ireland Erasmus Project

Project Title

Muinin-Confidence – Building Institutional Confidence in Work/life learning and Experience RPL EQUAL Ireland

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Open and distance learning; Recognition, transparency, certification; Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits)

Project Summary

CONTEXT
The context or background to the Muinín Project consisted of 4 key factors as set out below
1. The fragmented operation of RPL in the EU
2. The lack of standardisation in terms of qualifications for RPL support staff
3. The insufficiency of RPL information, guidance and advice, especially for disadvantaged group. These groups have have been highlighted in the EU Inventory of Validation of non-formal and informal learning 2014 Executive Summary with little progress being noted in the 2016 update
4. The successful learning and experience of EQUAL Ireland, in partnership with Athlone Institute of Technology, in supporting disadvantaged adults through a Mentor Facilitator process which resulted in a significant increase in the practical use of RPL by disadvantaged learners and the organisation’s priority of developing best practice supports with key organisations in the EU.
OBJECTIVES
Our primary objectives were and are to increase the use and awareness of RPL, especially among disadvantaged adult learners, through the transnational co design and development of an RPL Mentor Facilitator Programme for the purpose of professionalizing the supports provided to RPL Applicants and so help to build confidence in RPL among applicants, people, organisations and policy makers. There trainee mentors would be drawn, in the main, from outside the educational establishments. i.e. from communities and workplaces – close to the target group of disadvantaged learners.
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS
There were 5 participating organisations.
EQUAL Ireland (3rd level Education Provider in partnership with AIT(Athlone Institute of Technology);University of Bacau, Romania; University of Thessaloniki, Greece; World University Services of the, Spain; TUCEP, Italy (A Consortium of Universities and Enterprises)
MAIN ACTIVITIES
The main activities of the Muinín Project were as follows:
Project Management, Quality Control and Dissemination
Participating in Transnational Meetings, Transnational Learning Events, Multiplier Events and Skype or Teleconferences
Identifying and agreeing the key roles and responsibilities of the RPL Mentor Facilitators
Identifying and agreeing the key competencies of the RPL Mentor Facilitator
Jointly designing and developing the Curriculum for the proposed RPL Mentor Facilitator Programme
Jointly designing and developing the learning materials for the proposed RPL Mentor Facilitator Programme
Leading and Managing the National Accreditation Process of the proposed RPL Mentor Facilitator Programme
Advertising the Validated programme to the National Populations
Providing the Funding Agency with the required reports and documentation

IMPACT AND RESULTS
In conclusion, therefore, the project has, through innovative solutions, addressed a number of challenges facing the recognition and validation of competencies acquired through informal, non-formal and other learning namely awareness of RPL and enhanced support for RPL applicants via the design, development and delivery of a 5 EU Country EQF Level 6 Accredited Mentoring and Facilitation Programme for Supporting RPL Applicants.
We expect that the longer term benefits will see increased usage of RPL and enhanced quality of RPL Portfolios where applicable.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 266474 Eur

Project Coordinator

EQUAL Ireland Education Research and Related Services Co. Ltd & Country: IE

Project Partners

• UNIVERSITATEA VASILE ALECSANDRI DIN BACAU
• ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS
• TIBER UMBRIA COMETT EDUCATION PROGRAMME
• WORLD UNIVERSITY SERVICES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN-WUSMED