Briefly in English

	Qualifications are not dependent on whether the competence has been acquired through work experience, studies or other activities.
	Demonstration of skills and evaluation of skills. Vocational skills are demonstrated through competence tests. Working life and professionals in education take part in evaluation.
	Co-operation between working life and educational institutions. Representatives of workers, employers and educational institutions are involved in all phases.

	vocational upper secondary qualifications
	further vocational qualifications
	specialist vocational qualifications

The system of competence-based qualifications offers the adult population in particular a flexible way to renew and maintain their vocational skills. Obtaining a competence-based qualification requires competence in the skills of the field. The skill requirements have been set, in collaboration with the trade and industry, on the basis of work modules in working life.

Compulsory training for competence-based qualifications is provided especially by organizations specializing in adult education. Qualification committees make the contracts for arranging competence tests primarily with them.

The system of competence-based qualifications started in 1995. In 2007, more than 65,000 persons took part in competence tests.


ALVAR - Quality Assurance in competence based tests

ALVAR pays attention to customer needs and makes the co-operation of test organizers possible. ALVAR is also the centre of know-how, development and services of the competence-based vocational qualification process.

ALVAR provides competence tests that have standard level or requirements and are comparable level

	gives training on organizing of qualifications
	provides information on competence-based vocational qualification system
	takes part in development of the system
	provides other support to organizers and qualification committees.

ALVAR is also responsible for other projects concerning competence-based vocational qualifications.

Benefits of competence tests produced by ALVAR

	facilitate organizing procedure, savings in time
	ensure the high quality and comparability of competence-based vocational qualifications
	enhance the credibility of competence-based vocational qualifications in working life
	are approved by the qualification committee
	are economically better alternative than production and management of own tests
	increase the reliability of test situation: same person does not act as trainer and planner of the competence test
	guidance on evaluation and the evaluation form help the evaluator to take in to consideration all the key tasks according to the requirements of competence-based qualifications

Experts produce the test

The competence tests are produced by experts in each field. The experts are experienced workers, trainers in educational institutions as well as employers (foremen or experts in technology).
Competence tests produced by ALVAR facilitate one’s work.

There are two kinds of tests

	Tests for working life. The tasks in tests may vary depending of the site.
	Tests with detailed guidance on organizing procedure.

Structure of competence tests

	Instructions to test organizer (educational institution)
	Instructions to candidate
	competence test / instructions to determine the tasks to be performed in the test
	instructions to evaluator
	evaluation form / self evaluation form

Training of evaluators

The training planned individually for each field facilitates the work of test organizers. The goal is to guide the evaluators into fair and reliable evaluation process. The training of evaluators is required in the contract (signed with qualification committee) for organizing competence tests.

The training is aimed for organizers or evaluators of qualifications. They should also be interested in developing their own field. Their work may e.g. be related to training of candidates for competence-based qualifications, or the persons may be responsible for on-the-site training procedures.

Training of test planners

The training provides information that helps to make the planning process more efficient.

The training is aimed for persons that have comprehensive expertise in their own field. They should also have willingness to develop the system in practise. The persons that have accomplished the training have the possibility to take part in planning nationwide competence tests.

ALVAR works in collaboration with working life

The Association of Vocational Adult Education Centres
Finnish Central Organisation for Motor Trade and Repairs
Confederation of Finnish Industries, EK
Federation of Special Service and Clerical Employees, ERTO
Commission for Local Authority Employers
The Trade union for the Public and Welfare Sectors
The Finnish Metalworkers’ Union
Finnish Forest Industries Federation
Trade Union of Education in Finland OAJ
Finnish National Board of Education
Service Union United PAM
Association of Support Service Industries
Wood and allied worker’s Union
The Finnish Construction Trade Union
Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT
Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions
The Finnish Real Estate Federation
Federation of Finnish Enterprises
Finnish Electrical Workers’ Union
Technology Industries of Finland
The Employers’ Association TIKLI
Ministry of Labour
Finnish Media Union
Federation of the Finnish Media Industry
AEL Action Experience Learning

For more information contact us:

Development Manager Markku Kumpulainen +358-50 5001 712  firstname.lastname@alvar.fi		Secretary Tiina Honkarila +358-50 3946 777  firstname.lastname@alvar.fi
ALVAR Jälsitie 3 FIN-00410 Helsinki tel. +358-9 5307 708