The individual perception of validation procedures benefits: Evidence from the Austrian Academy of Continuing Education—Professionalisation in its individual and structure-related aspects

Abstract

Abstract This article presents the results of a recent online survey of graduates of the Austrian Academy of Continuing Education. Methodically, the survey’s results on benefit items are interpreted and answers to open questions are analyzed by qualitative content analyses. Empirical findings are subject to an interpretation using concepts of professionalization and the political agenda of validation of informal and non-formal learning. An important finding is, that WBA enhances individual professionalization as well as a structure-related professionalization. Valorization of the newly acquired qualification on the labour-market is not attained. Gaining a new identity as adult educator and crucial knowledge concerning professionalization is the benefit which provides adult educators with the ability to work on their own professionalization.

Keywords

• Validation of competences
• Summative approach
• Individual and structure-related aspects of professionalization
• Individual perception of benefits
• Adult educator