The first result published by the Erasmus+ project Train2Validate has provided a wide array of data to start building specific skills cards for easy-to-read (E2R) validators and facilitators. This intellectual output, as it is known in the European terminology, compiles the results of a comparative analysis of the survey conducted to gather information about the professional roles of E2R facilitators and validators.
This comparative report, led by the Polytechnic University of Timisoara (Romania), unveils that two thirds of the total respondents have some training in E2R, although there are not official courses. Also, around a 60% are interested in being trained in other E2R field in which they don’t have any knowledge. These data are consistent with the answers related to a possible official and certified training: a 70% think that they need better skills and knowledge, a 78% would likely or very likely enrol in such programmes and a 90% would likely or very likely recommend them to their peers. These results support the aim of Train2Validate, which consists of creating a professional training for E2R validators and facilitators.
Other relevant data highlights the fact that there is a high feminisation in the role of facilitator, while the sharing between men and women is more balanced among validators. The survey also reports that there is no industry around E2R, because the main providers of these activities are non-profit organisations, with part-time staff and in many cases volunteer. However, participants in the survey report a long experience, with many publications which have validated or facilitated.
The report delivers also deep details about the procedures and working organisation in these activities, for instance, the contact with E2R translators, the habit of working in teams, the use of E2R guidelines or facilitation strategies, the assessment of the feasibility of the projects or the application of management tools to organise the different tasks.
The project partners expect to publish an open book with extended and specific country reports to disseminate all details that contribute for the sharing of knowledge in a field with a lack of references and research.
The survey is an evidence that has based, together with other sources, the building of skills cards for validators and facilitators. Skills cards are documents in which it is stated the competences and abilities a trainee should obtain. The Train2Validate partners will present these results in a face-to-face multiplier event which will take place in October in Madrid.