Vocational Maturity Self Assessment tool by Youth in Transition Erasmus+ project
About this good practice
A self-assessment tool for vocational maturity has been developed within the Erasmus+ Youth in Transition (YIT) project. It is designed to support young people, including NEETs, aged 15 to 29, in evaluating their readiness for vocational pathways.
The tool helps identify personal and vocational competencies through an on-line and paper-and-pen interactive self-evaluation, facilitated by a counselor or guidance professional. It focuses on six key parameters: motivation, goal setting, flexibility, resilience, social settings, and professional skills. This profiling tool is adaptable and meant to be used by professionals, such as guidance counselors and teachers in various educational transitions, whether between (vocational) education levels and paths (e.g. apprenticeship) or entering the workforce. The tool's visual summary function, which presents individual progression, is a unique feature that enhances its practical use. While primarily designed for youth, it has also proven relevant for adults over 30 in career development contexts.
The tool is available in English, German, Icelandic, Danish and Slovene language and adapted to those different cultural and educational systems. It has been successfully implemented across multiple countries, demonstrating its scalability and adaptability.
Project partners: UU Danmark (DK), Moeve (DK), UU Kolding (DK), Vinnumálastofnun (IS), Universität Hamburg (DE), Javni zavod Cene Štupar (SI), CPI (SI).
Resources needed
The vocational maturity tool was fully funded by the EU Erasmus+ KA2 project. Development involved international collaboration with experts and researchers. The tool uses standard online platforms for implementation, and is available in on-line and paper-and-pen version.
Evidence of success
The vocational maturity tool was rigorously developed using research-based approaches, quality-assured by the University of Hamburg. Tested in Denmark, Iceland, and Slovenia, the tool underwent 24 trial runs with 157 NEETs and 27 professionals. Feedback from think-aloud tests, counseling sessions, and interviews led to crucial adjustments in March 2020. The tool's effectiveness and adaptability have been validated, enhancing its impact on vocational readiness for NEETs.
Potential for learning or transfer
The vocational maturity tool, developed with research-based methods and quality-assured by the University of Hamburg, offers significant potential for learning and transfer. Its adaptability was confirmed through 24 trial runs in Denmark, Iceland, and Slovenia, involving 157 NEETs and 27 professionals.
Feedback from these diverse contexts, including think-aloud tests, counseling sessions, and interviews, led to critical adjustments, enhancing its relevance and usability. The tool's focus on essential competencies like motivation, resilience, and professional skills ensures it meets universal needs for vocational readiness. Its online platform and user-friendly design enable easy integration into different educational and counseling frameworks.
Additionally, the tool's usage extends beyond youth, proving valuable for adults over 30 in career development. The successful implementation in multiple countries underscores its scalability and potential for broader adoption.
Further information
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