Qualification Needs, Approaches and Strategies in the Second-Hand Sector A European Good Practice Report

Abstract

Against the background of changing consumer behaviour and environmental policies, a growing second-hand sector is expected. In order to ensure quality and professionalism within companies operating in this sector, it is necessary to develop a unified Europe-wide and sector-specific qualification which is geared to real working processes and requirements. This good practice report describes the training and qualification structures in the European second-hand sector. In addition, occupational and general qualification approaches, strategies and requirements, which are identified an analysed by professional scientific research instruments in seven European countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, UK, Finland, Slovenia and Bulgaria) are characterised.Furthermore, essential core working processes and tasks of four business fields (furniture, textiles, CD/books and electrical/electronic devices) of the second-hand sector are described in detail. They allow an overview of the requirements that employees need to comply. Finally, consequences for a possible sector-specific qualification will be discussed, based on the results of the investigation