Presentation giving a "European perspective on the Validation of Non-formal and Informal Learning" made by Audrey Frith, EUCIS-LLL Platform Director, at the Karriere Oppland, Oslo Region Representation to the EU, 26 May 2014.

1. Building a citizen’s voice on education and training issues
EUCIS-LLL Platform
European perspective on the Validation of
Non-formal and Informal Learning
Audrey Frith, Director, EUCIS-LLL Platform
Karriere Oppland, Oslo Region
26 May 2014
European Civil Society Platform on Lifelong Learning

2. 33 European organisations working in education & training
A unique European platform on Lifelong Learning

3. About us
More than 45 000 educational institutions & associations
... covering formal, non-formal and informal learning
... reaching out millions beneficiaries
Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014

4. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
Policy briefing
•What do we mean by validation? Why is it so important?
•European perspective: state of play
•EU tools: Recommendation, Guidelines & Inventory
•EU governance: the EQF Advisory Group
•EUCIS-LLL perspective on VNFIL

5. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
Why validation?
For learners:
• Second chances
• Motivation to learn
• Recognition of skills and competences acquired in NF & IF

6. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
Why validation?
Positive outcomes:
• Increased learning and labour market opportunities
• Self-awareness and self-confidence of learners
• Flexible pathways
• Recognition of different paths to learning
• Saving money

7. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
What do we mean?
Various interpretations
and terms

8. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
EU Recommendation of 2012
Validation means a process of confirmation by an authorised
body that an individual has acquired learning outcomes
measured against a relevant standard and consists of the
following four distinct phases: 1/ identification 2/
documentation 3/ assessment 4/ certification.

9. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
Steps in the validation process

10. European perspective
State of play
Very different systems and approaches = problem of
transparency and comparability at EU level

11. European perspective
How does it look like in different countries?
Formal system VFormal system Formal system V
V

12. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
Scope of validation systems
• Exemptions to access the formal E-T systems
• Exemptions to some modules
• Access to some / all qualifications
• Linked to NQFs or not

13. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
France: a long tradition on validation
• 30’s: access to HE (decree of 85)
• 1992: validation of professional experience (VAP)
• 2002: validation of life experience (VAE): all qualifications
recognised by the state and social partners (RNCP)
• 2009: new law stressing guidance and accompaniment
Aimed to award an official formal qualification.

14. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
France: policy developments
• 2002: effort to describe standards based on LO especially
in HE (resistance) to ensure VAE is possible
• 2002: an individual right; measures in the private sector
• 2009: effort on guidance:
• training staff of structures in charge of LLL for adults
• new services “the tutor for VAE”
• centralised and regional websites

15. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
France: governance
• Awarding authorities (Ministries) design their own standards
and assessment procedures (but 1 registration process “livret
1” et “livret 2” - portfolio).
• Information and guidance: regional and local representatives
of the Ministries (PIC), public employment services, social
partners (i.e. OPCA), universities.
• Implementation: qualification providers. Compulsory for all
educational provider to develop VAE process for each
awarded qualification (except regulated professions).
• Delivery of diploma: rep. of awarding authorities.

16. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
France: funding
• Funding allocated to LLL: State and regional funding,
FONGECIF (fund for individual training leave), OPCA
(sectoral body that collects taxes for training)...
• Specific support: i.e. 24 hours paid leave for workers to
undertake validation processes (2002); VAE vouchers by
regions; registration fees paid by Employment services,
etc.

17. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
Portugal: New Opportunities Initiatives
• 2001: National system and centres for recognition, validation
and certification of competencies (RVCC)
• School process (basic or secondary education certificates)
• VET process (VET qualification)
• 2005: New Opportunities Initiative
• 2006: Law to facilitate access to HE for non-traditional
students

18. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
Portugal: New Opportunities Initiatives
• NOC: VET centres, basic and secondary schools, local and
regional associations, etc. 454 by 2010. Provide info and
guidance;
• Develop RVCC processes under the coordination of ANQ
created in 2007
= funded partly by ESF
= problem of quality versus high flexibility, diversity of practices
= resistance in HE

19. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
What does the EU recommend?
• Arrangements including the identification, documentation,
assessment and certification of LO
• Coherence with the EQF and NQFs
• Synergies with EU transparency tools (Europass, Youthpass)
and credit systems (ECTS, ECVET)
• Target in particular disadvantaged groups and unemployed
individuals

20. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
What does the EU recommend?
• Provide accompanying information and guidance
• Implement transparent quality assurance measures
• Develop the competences of staff involved in validation
• Ensure compliance with standards similar to those of formal
education
• Ensure the involvement of stakeholders (among which E&T
providers and civil society organisations)

21. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European perspective
What does the EU recommend?
• Ensure coordination between E&T, youth, employment
implementation services and policies
= Respects the diversity of models: does not say how the
systems should work or its scope BUT it should be based
on the same standards as in the formal system

22. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European tools
Soft law
• Recommendation of 2012
• European Inventory (September 2014)
• European Guidelines (September 2014)
• CEDEFOP report on the link between NQF and VNFIL

23. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European tools
Governance
• Advisory Group
• Peer learning activities (1st in October 2014)
• Roadmap for arrangements on VNFIL by 2018
• National reports by 2018
• Political response to the Recommendation

24. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
European tools
Support
• ESF
• Erasmus+

25. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
EUCIS-LLL perspective
Key principles
• Validation as an individual right
• Comprehensive arrangements: all sectors and levels
• Diplomas/certificates should have the same value
• Targeted measures to reach out to disadvantaged groups
• Solutions adapted to learners’ specific needs
• Recognise personal and social benefits of non-formal education
• Stakeholders’ involvement
• Educational institutions and their staff should be well prepared
• Increase data collection

26. Europeancivilsocietyplatformonlifelonglearning
EUCIS-LLL – Validation of non-formal and informal learning – 26 May 2014
EUCIS-LLL perspective
Activities
• Validation task force since beginning of 2013
• Partner of a project to raise awareness on validation “Building
Learning Societies: Promoting Validation of Non-formal and
Informal Learning” (Nov. 2013-Nov 2014)
• Public debates in the European Parliament
• Position papers, information notes and publications