The European Commission-funded project functions at both national and provincial level, providing a legal basis for development of a lifelong learning system and increasing the capacity of institutions to play their part in it.
Challenges
Lifelong Learning (LLL) requires a system which aims to improve permeability between different types of education and training and any qualifications need to be transparent and portable.
Each of Turkey's 43 provinces required its own action plan tailored to its particular needs and it was important that this was done in a way that took advantage of the benefits of national co-ordination without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
It was vital to involve the private sector in a sustainable way, so that it played an active part and there was full collaboration between education and training enterprises.
As successful implementation of the approach requires a culture change among government, NGOs, providers, employers and learners, it is also important that the project's aims and intended outcomes are communicated by a wide variety of platforms and approaches throughout the operation.
Solution
One of the main aims of the project was to establish a web portal that would be the first point of information for the LLL system.
The web portal has a range of users including providers of education and training, employers and the general public who each have specific requirements in terms of what level of information they are seeking.
We undertook a comprehensive user-centred design process from the initial research stage, using the target audience to review and test designs, to carrying out continuous improvement through user feedback once the portal is launched.
Outcome
By strengthening the structures for delivering non-formal adult learning, the project is supporting the government aim to increase the adult learning participation rate from 2.95% to 8.0%.
Under our provision of technical support to strengthen the capacity of India's National Council of Educational Research and Training, we led study tours to the UK and America to show staff global best practice in programme evaluation and learning assessment.