Application for Leonardo da Vinci subvention for the follow-up project ‘Certifying Assessors and Judges in Floral Design’

After a lot of preparatory work, the taskforce of the European Platform Education-Industry in Floristry submitted an application to the Leonardo da Vinci fund for subvention for a follow-up project to the ‘Certifying Assessors and Judges in Floristry’ project.

This new application is for a follow-up project of the initial “certification of assessors and judges in floral design” project, which took place from 2010 till 2012. A project with a very high level of ambition, but also one that was very successful. The outcome of this first phase was a complete - and thoroughly tested - accreditation system for assessors and judges in floral design.

It is a system that has proven its effectiveness and functionality during the first phase in 5 realistic pilot settings. The developed format is a template and guideline for an assessment on the national level and describes the minimum requirements in all detail.

The format provides all the practical information needed to execute such an assessment; information how the process needs to be shaped as well as requirements regarding persons, rooms and other facilities, and so on. With the (personal) expertise gained in phase 1, the system is now ready for implementation.

This all forms the basis for the follow-up phase, which aims at the implementation of this sound and sophisticated accreditation system for assessors/judges throughout Europe. By doing so, the level of practical assessments in schools as well as the level of judgment in skills competitions is raised to a higher level; creating more transparency regarding assessment competences and giving a huge stimulus to the exchange of knowledge and information in the competence of judging /assessing.

Taken from the response at the various presentations of the developed assessment, the system holds a huge chance of being accepted in “the market”. It will become a standard in assessing competences, judgment abilities and assessing floral work in skills competitions in Europe.

The development as well as communication and the publication of the results of the first phase (the 2010 project) have created a lot of commitment in the group of the 5 countries working on the first project. At the same time it has created awareness and interest in a number of other EU countries, of which 6 have joined this second project. This follow-up project is structured in a way that the tasks (the implementation of the accreditation system in the 11 countries involved) ensure that the learning opportunities as well as the encouragement of awareness, interest and commitment for the new-comers and other interested parties, are maximized.

Besides to the implementation of the assessment system, there is a program for educational institutes allowing the contribution of awareness, interest and commitment. Furthermore in the new project there will be a comparison of educational systems in Floristry, curricula in floristry and examination and assessment.

The collection of educational data will not only lead to a comparison but also to discussion, development of approaches, solutions for more transparency, homogeneity, and finally to the development of ECVET standards into floristry education all over Europe: recognize, identify, and value ECVET elements in the different curricula all over Europe. Transparency in curricula, assessment and the development of ECVET elements will support representatives of the industry in assessing the competences acquired by students, shown in a proof of ability. With the assessment carried out by certified representatives of industry, the value of the learning activities and outcomes will be accepted by European standard criteria. Students are able to fulfill their curriculum in the own country but also by having work experience abroad.