There has been encouraging progress in the validation of non-formal and informal learning across the European neighbourhood, new research by the European Training Foundation has revealed. Developments are being bolstered by peer learning and good practice sharing.
But there are challenges – especially around funding – that must be tackled if the high potential of validation and its role at the heart of lifelong learning are to be realised. An ETF webinar titled “Trends in validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNFIL) in the EU and the Neighbourhood” was held on 29 March 2022. Validation is one of the ETF’s priority areas for the period to 2027. There were some 120 participants and lively chat.
Some context
In 2021 the ETF conducted a cross-country study on validation in Azerbaijan, Jordan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. This built on 2018 Inventory on validation on Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Turkey.
The development of VNFIL in the European Union was described by Ernesto Villalba-Garcia of Cedefop. All EU states have taken action since the 2012 recommendation on validation from the European Council. In 2020, the new European Skills Agenda was launched. Updated validation guidelines will be published this year.
Villalba-Garcia emphasised that validation does not compete with formal education but is complementary. “It should not be isolated, but integrated into the education and training system, and should work together with other policies, including labour market policies.”
ETF country studies
Maria Rosenstock, a Human Capital Development Expert at the ETF, and policy consultant Anni Karttunen of Globedu presented the ETF’s 2021 cross-country study on validation.
“We wanted to see if there were potential bottlenecks and to identify good practices to share. The aim is to develop policy recommendations, and support policy dialogue and mutual learning,” said Rosenstock. “We will include further partner countries this year.”
Turning to the key findings, Anni Karttunen said there had been encouraging progress in the five countries in terms of new or revamped legislation. However, validation is new: “There’s quite a lot of pending legislation that hasn't been implemented.”
The research did not find a strong connection between validation systems and NQFs. “That is something that could be strengthened,” she continued. There were interesting examples of certification through labour market activities, especially in Ukraine and Jordan.
Progress has been disappointing regarding access, numbers of people receiving qualifications, the qualifications available and the education or labour market sectors covered. Public awareness is crucial for more people to seek VNFIL. There are geographical inequities, with validation mostly only available in big cities.
“Countries might take a close look at what are the most important sectors that can benefit individuals, and what types and levels of qualifications,” Karttunen said.
Lack of funding is a widespread and serious problem. Maria Rosenstock said: “The European experienced shows that without dedicated funding it will be very difficult to scale up validation systems.”
Country case studies
The webinar heard about VNFIL developments and findings in four partner countries.
Galina Rusu, State Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Research in Moldova, spoke about the successful scaling up of a new validation system. Hundreds of candidates have gone through a validation process and numerous validation centres have been created.
Nijat Asadli of the Education Quality Assurance Agency in Azerbaijan, described the modest launch of validation and said the target is 1,000 qualifications this year. Lack of funding obliged fees to be charged and they proved a big barrier to access, prompting many people to drop out. Partnerships are being pursued with companies willing to cover staff upskilling.
Nani Dalakishvili and Londa Mindiashvili of the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement in Georgia, said the validation of non-formal and informal education was new, with some surprises but few results yet. A 2019 regulation set the rules for VNFIL. Five institutions are accredited to offer validation and there are 51 validation consultants.
There were rich examples of validation activities. Sweden’s state-of-the art system and its financing were outlined, and VNFIL and non-formal qualifications in Poland were described from a provider’s perspective. SkillLab spoke on the use of AI in skills profiling.
Arjen Deij, a Senior Human Capital Development Expert at the ETF concluded: “In the search for sustainable solutions, the webinar highlighted that validation must be user-friendly and attractive to people, and looked at new types of applications and finding new ways of assessing and using new technologies.”
Material from the event can be found at the link below:
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