The ipf-Q competence management with portfolio.
(ipf-Q competence and qualifications profiling through portfolio)
In a rapidly changing professional world, skills, experience and personal qualities count. If these skills are transferable and matched with reliable personal values, they make a difference. Over the past 10 years ipf has developed a system of competence management and profiling which can both support the development of skills and provides a validated method of accrediting an individual’s skills and qualities, whether these have been acquired formally, informally or incidentally.
The ipf competence and qualification portfolio- known as ipf-Q- is a unique and proven tool for validating key and core competencies. The ipf-Q portfolio has been benchmarked by NARIC, the leading accreditation agency as a valid way of demonstrating APEL (accreditation of prior learning and experience). It is entirely compatible with Europass and uses the European Qualifications Framework as a frame of reference.
ipf- Q has been applied to wide range of academic levels and professional situations. These include:
- ipf-Q School which forms the basis for a portfolio qualification at levels 2 and 3 and is being used, for example by secondary school leavers to access university undergraduate programmes in Switzerland and the UK
- ipf-Q BA Equivalence which is used with a Diploma Supplement to demonstrate individual BA equivalence either through a full-time training, e.g. for Students in several Eurythmy Schools and for teachers who have completed a non-state accredited training programme or who have completed a part-time study programme and have several years of professional experience. This mode of ipf-Q has also enabled many teachers and therapeutic practitioners to access MA programmes without having a recognised first degree. In Kosovo a version of ipf-Q BA has enabled young women traumatised by the war, many of whom lack formal educational qualifications due to their life circumstances, to become pre-school teachers in state schools. Some of these women now run their own BA programme and are studying for MAs.
- ipf-Q CPD is used as a tool in professional development and often in association with quality development programmes.
- ipf-Q MA is used to enable experienced teachers to upgrade their qualifications.
- ipf-Q research enables professionals to document their practice-based research within the context of their professional life.
- Ipf-Q biography is a tool to support biographical reflection and planning by helping to reveal the skills an individual has and identifying ways of moving on.
ipf offers training in the use of ipf-Q competence profiling using portfolio at three levels:
- User (enables one to use a competence portfolio)
- Trainer: (enables one to teach others how to you a competence portfolio)
- Expert: (enables one to assess competence portfolios).
Each of these levels involves three days of training. Compiling an ipf-Q portfolio is equivalent to approximately 165 hours of preparation.