VA2EL

Methodology proposed
The main aim of the present portfolio is to be used by the local councillors elected in small and medium towns/cities. They are the main public of the Va2el project – Valuing Education and Experience of Local Councillors.
Two guides are also proposed : a first guide for local councillors to explain the way they must use the portfolio and a second guide for the coaches. In addition to these pedagogical guides, a third one will be developed together with the digital development portfolio, insisting on the different functionalities of the e-portfolio.
A portfolio is a personal document to be filled in order to enhance the competences on the labour market. Local councillors could also use it in social or professional networks such as Facebook or Linkdl.
In the process of the portfolio, we will address directly the local councillors in order to make things more vivid and interactive.

My Va2el portfolio – a concept
A portfolio of competences is based upon an anglo-saxon approach. It might take the form of a « file of personal and professional experiences realised with the aim to save the proof of acquired training and experiences to produce them in any circumstance of life where these evidence may be expected and considered as a way for a better professional, social or personal recognition ».

A portfolio fulfils five main functions:

• an « active memory »,
• an « evolutive tool for identifying and knowing competences »,
• a « collective and conservative » tool,
• a « self-evaluation »,
• a «personal data base »,
• a «value given to informal competences »

It may include written documents, photos, any element proving a specific competence or justifying a specific experience.
Please keep in mind that :

• The tasks you fulfil as a local councillor are quite numerous, diverse and sometimes difficult.
• The competences they require are also quite various.
• This is the main aim of a portfolio to help you identify them to take advantage of these competences on the labour market..

• To offer you a self-evaluation for your experience as a local councillor : by doing a statement of the experience during your elective mandate, by expressing them in terms of acquired and developed competences, in reminding you the training followed during your local mandate ;
• To provide you with a common basis of analysis you could share with other local councillors whatever the local authority you are working for : so that you will be able to use the portfolio on the labour market ;
• To propose a document of reference for public authorities and professionals in the field of human resources ; so it might provide you with some form of “common” recognition

Thanks to the methodology proposed in the Va2el project :

• some competences might be assessed/valued/recognised directly : a level of competences or qualifications acquired, for instance in a training programme you were proposed as a local councillor (sometimes a certificate might have been delivered) ;
• other competences require an improvement: to be taken into account, you should have to follow a training in an official/habilitated organisation.

Please keep in mind that there are three ways to gain apprenticeship:

• theoretical apprenticeship : the knowledge you have acquired through training, self training, initial or continuous training ;