Over the last decade, open, non-formal and informal learning pathways have been recognised at the centre of the European debate as a key component in achieving the objectives of the lifelong learning program. However, in many cases, people themselves may not be aware of the transversal and basic skills they are developing through such learning and the important role these can play in their competitiveness in the labor market. The CErTiFY project seeks to help individuals wanting to work in the Cultural and Creative sectors, considered to be a sector for investment by the European Commission, by developing and testing a new methodology based on digital tools for people to identify and recognise their transversal skills, as identified in the 2020 strategy. Indeed the characteristics of the Cultural and Creative sectors, with less-structured recruitment processes and key competencies often acquired over longer periods of time and outside the formal education system, mean that recognising such skills is essential both for candidates embarking on their early careers and adult population seeking to work in this sector but not able to find an appropriate position. The two digital tools which will be developed and tested as part of the project are: a smartphone application to create digital 'curricular' stories and an e-learning platform to support and guide job seekers in applying for jobs. Together these tools will help adults better align their competences with those in job descriptions, so that they become more confident and better placed to promote their professionalism.
CErTiFY aimed to contribute to the growing innovation of education pedagogy to include new online and application based tools and resources, which can help to develop the digital skills of adults and young people looking to enter the creative and cultural sector, as outlined as a priority in the joint report by the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the Strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (ET2020). CErTiFY responded to this strategy by developing both digital skills through non-formal education, as well as bolstering educational opportunities through the recognition and promotion of already established skills. This project helped us to get a better understanding of the competency gaps in the cultural and creative sectors in different European countries, see what similarities and differences exist, and work together to propose solutions. The main objective was to produce intellectual outputs that would help young adults make use of digital storytelling techniques to demonstrate their highly sought after transversal competencies to their potential employers.
7 European partners with a diverse range of expertise were invited by Loughborough University to join this strategic partnership to respond to the European Commission's aim to increase employment numbers by supporting NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) people and young adults in the identification and recognition of transversal skills, which are essential for them to start, restart or change their careers. The project was conceived to respond to the need for a better knowledge, recognition and validation of non-formal learning, as identified in European Parliament's Culture and Education Structural and Cohesion policy document of 2015, and in the European Commission's 2020 strategy, which also places emphasis on the development and growth of youth and adults employment. Our project was based on the belief that an innovative approach to learning, namely digital storytelling, which empowers the participants to recognise their own abilities, combined with a mentoring process, can enable them to develop a better knowledge of how best to apply those abilities to secure future employment, specifically for this project, in the creative and cultural sector.