International Conference on Lifelong Learning and Human Resource Development
Educa plus is an event gathering together professionals, presenting news and enabling an insight into possibilities using new technologies, both for the purpose of education, and monitoring development of human resources in companies. The conference has been held since 2003. Every year it presents an overview of current trends in human resource development based on experience from practice, also taking into consideration a scientific approach.
Educa plus is also a tool for sharing consciousness of the need to implement the concept of lifelong learning among businessman as there is a constant need to invest in employees, as they are the most valuable of company resources, with the goal of surviving in an environment that is becoming more and more dynamic and volatile.
EDUCA PLUS 2011
EDUCA PLUS – 9th annual International Conference on Lifelong Learning and Human Resource Development was held from 9. to 10. November 2011. in the CCE hall with the title: „People – potential today, capital tomorrow“.
In her opening speech Head of the President's Office and Managing director of Human Resource Development Centre Ms. Zdenka Peternel said that in September 2011. CCE adopted a document: „Croatia a prosperous country and society“ which presents a clear information with specific data where Croatia is now and where it should be in the future. In order to fulfill its potential as much as possible, the country needs to work work on its demographic component and constant improvement of education and science as a foundation for prosperity.
In accordance with the above this years Conference has certainly offered some solutions and answers.
The first day of Conference was dedicated to Croatian Qualifications Framework (CROQF) where the importance of CROQF for quality insurance, recognition of non-formal and informal education and foreign qualifications which has great implications on educational and professional mobillity was especially emphasized. In order to ensure all of the previouse we must respect criterias and the procedures which should be fulfilled in order to connect to European Qualification Framework (EQF) and European Higher Education Area (EHEA) for better recognition of our high educational diplomas.
The CROQF Act proposal, which will define the pattern for system establishment, its enforcement and the role of stakeholders, is in its final stage and it is expected to enter the procedure of adoption by Croatian Parliament after 15th of January 2012. There is a need for better connection between economy and educational system, especiallly for higher engagement of employers who must create a clear definition of competences that are required for specific workplace in order to educate newcomers for labour market.
The employers must recognize the benefits of student practice which carries a great benefit for the students to gather practical skills which will help them in their future jobs, and employers will not only have a chance to attract and keep talents but also to analyse the current state of competences that students possess.
It is also important that students and youths increase their efforts in order to be recognised by the employers, and therefore some of their activities such as cooperation between student/youth associations and higher educational institutions in local partnerships that equip students/youths with practical experiences and social responsibility were presented. To show that students care for those enterprises and instituitions which improve the quality of student life by offering them work experience and recognising their projects, they decided to give them an award not only for the present ones that already helped, but to encourage the rest of them to involve and contribute.
On the second day of Conference emphasis was put on how to invest in human capital by implementing a model of systematic development of human resources in order to create quality work environment so employees could be more efficient. Enterprises which have implemented the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) have shown that social responsibility carries a lots of benefits for the enterprises such as to be eligible and recognizable by society and partners, and that it also can be cost effective. The collaborators have all agreed that there is a necessity for CSR implementaion in the curriculum of higer educational institutions.
We are all looking forward for a 10th jubilee Educa Plus 2012.
EDUCA PLUS 2010
Main objective of this year’s conference was to stress importance of entrepreneurial behaviour on organisational, national and regional level through development of entrepreneurial competences.
During the first day the emphasis was put on question how to create the prerequisites needed to develop an entrepreneurial culture and behaviour in the company/institution. Emphasis was placed on conditions, organizational climate in which the company was required to ensure employees to be creative, innovative and entrepreneurial in their workplace.
Through the active involvement of the participants of the conference during the panels, characteristics of employees that are entrepreneurial were defined, as well as the example of transformation of bureaucratic organization to one in which entrepreneurial climate exists. Within the first day the aim was to present examples of good practice and to share experiences in mentioned field.
The second day was dedicated to systematic promotion of employees' entrepreneurial behaviour on national and regional level through introduction with EU development policies guidance.
In opening speech state secretaries from Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship and Ministry of Science, Education and Sports have presented activities and achievements in entrepreneurial education area. Also, they have introduced participants with main aspects of Education for Entrepreneurship Strategy 2010 – 2014.
By presenting European strategic documents relating to entrepreneurship and numerous activities of SEECEL which has become leading organisation in region in implementation of EU development policies, representatives form SEECEL have pointed activities referring to issues of learning for entrepreneurship conducted in whole region.