The SVEB, or rather the SVEB’s Romandie office, has held discussions with French-speaking organisations on basic skills. The conclusion: a clear framework for basic skills is needed; everyday maths is the ‘poor relation’; and courses must be closely aligned with the everyday realities of potential participants.
SVEB held discussions with the ANLCI (France), Lire et Écrire (Belgium) and several educational organisations (ALPES, resource centres for illiteracy, etc.). These meetings facilitated the exchange of approaches in the areas of literacy, numeracy and the training of trainers within various national contexts.
From a Swiss perspective, the discussions confirmed how important a clear framework for basic skills is, particularly in relation to federal funding and access to continuing education. The ongoing work on a reference framework for the professionalisation of trainers in the field of basic skills and the ‘Simply Better at Work’ programme are entirely focused on these challenges.
High demand for trainers
The meeting also…
• … confirmed that everyday mathematics remains the ‘poor relation’ of basic skills and that there is a great need for trainers.
• … highlighted the importance of pedagogical approaches rooted in real-life and work situations (health, employment, parenting, digital administrative processes).
• … promoted the exchange of concrete tools that can serve as inspiration for projects in Switzerland (European pedagogical scenarios, assessment tools such as EVA, digital resources for literacy, a risk analysis tool for businesses in relation to basic skills – EVApro, risk mapping, creation of data sheets per region to assess risks in the area of basic skills)
Next steps for the SVEB
The SVEB plans to continue its collaboration with its French and Belgian partners to adapt proven tools to the Swiss context. These partnerships aim to promote the quality of continuing education and the recognition of the profession of adult educator in the field of basic skills.