RESUMENEl artículo profundiza en los temas de la edad adulta y en los cambios que ha sufrido esa etapa de la vida como consecuencia de los acontecimientos en la sociedad actual compleja, de la transición continua y del aprendizaje permanente. Frente a dichas transformaciones es preciso garantizar formación y orientación para los adultos, para facilitarles los instrumentos cognitivos y emocionales que les ayuden a hacer frente a los desafíos de la incertidumbre y al cambio continuo. Para gestionar dichos procesos hace falta planificar intervenciones deliberadamente orientadoras por parte de los profesionales de la formación y orientación para personas adultas. En concreto, el artículo estudia aspectos de las competencias metodológicas y didácticas de los profesionales y, específicamente, las metodologías que hacen uso de la narración como método de investigación psicosocial. Una de las prácticas de orientación que más utiliza la autobiografía es el Balance de competencias. Por eso este trabajo describe sus principales características y hace referencia a la experiencia del Laboratorio de Balance de Competencias en la Universidad de Foggia (Italia).ABSTRACTThe article intends to explore the themes connected with adult age and the transformations that this life stage has seen, due to changes occurred in contemporary society characterized by continuous transition and permanent learning. Because of these transformations, adult training and guidance becomes an urgent need as a means to asproviding with the necessary cognitive and emotional tools that may help adults to face the challenge of uncertainty and continuous change. In order to manage these processes, it is necessary for training and guidance “professionals” to arrange specific interventions for adults. In particular, the present article goes into the aspects linked to methodological-didactic competences these “professionals” must have and, specifically, those methodologies that use narration as a tool for psychosocial investigation. One of the orientation practices which use the autobiographical method is the balance of competences. In the article, the main characteristics of balance of competences are described and reference is made to the experience of the Laboratory of Competences at the University of Foggia (Italy).

ABSTRACTThe article intends to explore the themes connected with adult age and the transformations that this life stage has seen, due to changes occurred in contemporary society characterized by continuous transition and permanent learning. Because of these transformations, adult training and guidance becomes an urgent need as a means to asproviding with the necessary cognitive and emotional tools that may help adults to face the challenge of uncertainty and continuous change. In order to manage these processes, it is necessary for training and guidance “professionals” to arrange specific interventions for adults. In particular, the present article goes into the aspects linked to methodological-didactic competences these “professionals” must have and, specifically, those methodologies that use narration as a tool for psychosocial investigation. One of the orientation practices which use the autobiographical method is the balance of competences. In the article, the main characteristics of balance of competences are described and reference is made to the experience of the Laboratory of Competences at the University of Foggia (Italy).