1.1 Reasons for Action
There is a consensus among NGOs working in support of international development initiatives that the sector is lacking a single, internationally recognised and accredited qualification in the field of relief and development. Provision of such Europe-wide Diploma would add greatly to the level of professionalism and also attract strong candidates into the sector. There is also very little offered to support students in managing real life development problems, opportunities and situations and no EU-wide CPD qualification.
The AID Project Consortium has recognised that for Europe to develop capacity in the sector, there has to be consistency, rigour, recognition and credibility. A fully accredited, pan-European diploma combining employability skills with an understanding of concrete development issues, would help strengthen capacity throughout the sector and thus help to achieve important EU development goals.
The vision of the project is to contribute to the development of quality lifelong learning and to promote high performance in the International Development sector through the development of, validation of and implementation of a pan-EU CPD programme that truly reflects the needs of the sector and meets the employability needs of those individuals in or wishing to enter the sector.
1.2. Aims and objectives
AIMS
- To work with NGOs, Charities and other stakeholders in the development of the competency framework for professionals employed in or wishing to enter the International Development sector;
- To ensure that the framework developed recognises and addresses the need for a pan-EU qualification;
- To develop, test and implement a range of pedagogical approaches that reflects the learning styles and needs of the sector;
- To develop and deliver an EQF accredited diploma level CPD qualification.
OBJECTIVES
- To develop a modern training and certification programme that reflects sector and individuals within the sector needs, to base the programme on clearly defined necessary ‘skill-sets’
- To support the development of innovative ICT-based content services and pedagogy
- To create and manage a pan-EU network committed to driving and improving learning so that it meets the identified needs of the sector and the individuals it employs
- To implement EU-wide certification within the sector
- To support participants in training activities to acquire skills relevant to the sector
- To base design and implementation of the qualification on best practice and ‘lesson learnt’ by using practical examples and ‘real life’ case studies.
1.3. Target groups
- International Development Delivery Agents
- Public Sector funders of International Development
- Education and Training Providers
- Accreditation and Certification Bodies
- Individuals employed in the sector and those wishing to enter the sector
- Quality Assurance and Sector Development Network
1.4. Project Outcomes
The AID Project will develop:
International Development Skill Set – a description of target competences of those working of wishing to enter the sector
Access International Development Training Material – a training package for AID programme in five languages
AID Online Course and Self-Assessment service available through European Certification and Qualification portals.
ECQA Exam Question Database – a set of multiple choice test questions that will support the certification and online examination of the International Development Skill Set.
A long term outcome of the project will be a creation of a self-sustaining community network made up of key players in the sector and education and training providers with a view to driving continued development of lifelong learning programmes that increase the attractiveness of the sector to those employed in it and to potential new entrants.