WAVE – Working in Aquaculture, Validation of Experience
European Network for the Dissemination of Aquaculture
RTD Information (Q5CA-2000-30105) and previously FAIR-3837, Aquaflow ref. :
TL2003-156
Whilst there is a wide range of accredited
college-based courses across Europe difficulties remain in the provision of
accredited practical skills training. De facto, much of the skills
acquisition occurs in commercial farms and production units with little or
no accreditation for such training. At this time there is no widely-based
(ie. European) system for validating or accrediting skills acquired through
informal or formal farm-based training in aquaculture. New EC initiatives
have the potential to make a major breakthrough in this area by integrating
existing instruments into a single framework, which recognises and accredits
the training regardless of the methods employed to acquire the skills.
AquaTT has been monitoring these EC developments
carefully over the past few years and found it appropriate to source funding
and carry out the WAVE project so that an appropriate system is created and
implemented for the industry.
WAVE will result in increased transparency and
recognition of vocational education in aquaculture in line with EC policy in
this area. The project will develop competency levels based on existing
practices, which will make comparison and transfer possible across the whole
of Europe.
The outcome of the project will be a protocol for the
validation and accreditation of work experience and practical training in
aquaculture. The anticipated result of the project will be that every
national accrediting body will adopt the protocol developed in order to
accredit courses and vocational experiences. The advantage to national
accrediting bodies is that by adopting WAVE, the accreditation awarded will
be recognised across Europe and thus give increased recognition to the
certificates they award.
In order for the project to be successful the
partnership includes accrediting bodies, educational institutes and
producers associations across Europe. At every stage of the development of
the protocol all stakeholders will be consulted so that the resulting
protocol is relevant and accurate for all users.
For more information, contact:
MURPHY David
AquaTT UETP Ltd
P.O. Box 8989
Dublin 2
Ireland
Phone : +353 1 874 7088
Fax : +353 1 874 7090
e-mail: david@aquatt.ie
URL: www.aquatt.ie/current/WAVE/Wave.htm