Inspiring recognition practices and tools

In this section of the Visible Value, you may find the real treasure from the field of recognition of youth work. This is a well-selected collection of the recognition tools and practices that have been developed all over Europe.

We hope it will inspire you to develop your own or at least to imagine what the recognition might look like in very practical terms. Our intention is that this collection is regularly updated. So, if you are aware of other tools and practices that deserve to be included, please, let us know. In the meantime, enjoy the current collection.

Back aufZAQ – Certified Quality of Non-Formal Education in Youth Work

Certification of training courses and recognition of youth worker competences in Austria

Short description:

aufZAQ is a certification system for non-formal education and training courses for youth workers, provided by the Department of Families and Youth at the Federal Chancellery, the Youth Departments of the Federal States, and the Youth Work Department of the Autonomous Italian Province of Bozen/Bolzano – South Tyrol. aufZAQ has been certifying the quality of trainings since 2003 and has thus been actively contributing to the recognition of non-formal education in the field of youth work. For course participants, the aufZAQ certification is proof of the high quality of educational courses. For employers and institutions of child and youth work, aufZAQ guarantees that the respective course is a high-quality vocational education and training that is strongly oriented towards professional practice.

aufZAQ developed the Competence Framework for Children and Youth Work. This competence model shows how people act competently in their work in children and youth work. It covers both the open youth work and children and youth work in youth organisations. The Competence Framework (Kompetenzrahmen) is a translation tool from qualifications of children and youth work to the Austrian National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

aufZAQ and the research project JumP – Youth Work with Perspectives from the University of Applied Sciences in Kempten carried out the project “Qualified Youth Workers for Europe”. The aim of the project was to promote transparency and recognition of skills and qualifications of youth workers.

As the main project result, the handbook about the recognition of competences “Qualified Youth Workers for Europe” has been developed. The handbook links the findings from formal higher education qualifications for youth work with those from the non-formal field. Thus, valuable perspectives for future qualifications and recognition projects can be developed. The handbook “Qualified Youth Workers for Europe” is freely available in German and English.

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