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Do you have knowledge and skills but are unsure how to get them formally recognised? Would you like to obtain an official certificate without returning to formal education? Find out what you can do in this situation.
Where are you now?
Perhaps you are really good at something and know a great deal about it – for example, you design gardens, snowboard like a professional and want to teach others, or take fantastic photographs. You want to put these skills to use professionally, but you do not have a diploma or a certificate that employers value. And you really do not have the time or desire to go to university right now. Or perhaps you want to try something completely new and retrain for a different career? Is there another way?
This is where market or sectoral qualifications can help.
What does this mean and what can you gain?
- Market qualifications are open to everyone. They can cover knowledge and skills that are useful in many different fields. They are developed and certified by businesses, industry representatives and experts who understand what the labour market needs. Examples include: ‘Holiday representative’ and ‘3D modelling and scanning’.
- Sectoral qualifications are more specialised and tailored to a particular industry (sector). They are developed by organisations operating within that sector (e.g. employers’ associations). Examples include: ‘Coaching snowboarding’ and ‘Recreational climbing instructor’.
Both types of qualification are officially recognised, included in the nationwide Integrated Qualifications System (IQS) and assigned a level of the Polish Qualifications Framework (PQF). Find out what this means: link to information about the PQF.
In simple terms, you obtain a certificate that officially confirms what you know and can do in a particular field. This allows you to gain qualifications that are currently in demand in the labour market.
How can you do it?
1) Visit the Integrated Qualifications Register: link to the Register.
2) Browse the available qualifications or use the filters straight away to narrow your search: choose whether you are interested in market or sectoral qualifications, select a sector, etc.
3) Choose a specific active qualification, such as ‘Public speaking’ or ‘Installing wind turbines’.
On the qualification page, you will find:
- basic information, such as the competences you need and where you could work with this certificate,
- the skills requirements for the qualification,
- how and where you can obtain the qualification, including which awarding bodies are authorised to issue the certificate,
- what you need to do to have your knowledge and skills formally recognised (this process is called ‘validation’ within the system).
4) Obtain your certificate and start making your plans and dreams a reality!
Why is it worth gaining market and sectoral qualifications?
Market and sectoral qualifications offer:
- speed: you do not need to spend time at school, university or on training courses to obtain specific qualifications;
- credibility: you have official confirmation that your skills are up to date and have been assessed by experts;
- flexibility: these types of qualifications make it easier to move into a different sector when the labour market needs new competences.
This is a modern way to have knowledge and experience relevant to your professional life formally recognised. It is recognised by the state and is becoming increasingly valued by employers. You gain a valuable certificate, while employers know what skills and knowledge they can expect you to have.
Where can you find the right path and qualifications for you?
Are you interested in a particular sector and want to explore the qualifications available in it? Or perhaps you simply want to find out what opportunities are out there? Visit the kwalifikacje.gov.pl portal and the Integrated Qualifications Register: link to the Register.
Good luck!