The Law on Education of Ukraine (2017) defines non-formal and informal learning and introduces a legal right for recognition of the results of learning outcomes of non-formal and informal learning in the system of formal education; assessment of learning outcomes acquired through External Studies/Externship within education programmes and certification of educational qualification. According to this Law, the qualification centres are entities authorized to assess and recognise the learning outcomes including those aсquired in non-formal and informal learning and confirm relevant professional qualifications.
The Ukrainian terms ‘non-formal/informal education’ and ‘non-formal/informal learning’ are used interchangeably. The term ‘recognition of learning outcomes of non-formal and informal learning/training’ is more prevalent in official documents dealing with validation.
The validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNFIL) in Ukraine is at the development stage and the recent progress makes the system implementation visible. Recently some important steps have been taken forward making the VNFIL process systematic and operational. Validation of professional qualifications obtained in the workplace is assigned to the qualification centres. Typical regulation on qualification centre approved by MoES in April 2021 is the basic national regulatory document on validation that defines the main tasks and functions of qualification centers. Procedure on accreditation of qualification centers approved by the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in September 2021 defines the basic principles and mechanism of the accreditation procedure for legal entities that intend to acquire the status of a qualification centre to assess/recognize the learning outcomes of persons, including non-formal or informal learning, to confirm professional qualifications, as well as to recognize the professional qualifications obtained outside of Ukraine.
The main stakeholders of VNFIL in Ukraine are National Qualifications Agency (NQA), the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), the Ministry of Economy (MoE), State Employment Service (SES). The NQA, established in 2019, is responsible for the implementation of state policy in the field of qualifications. Currently, the NQA is the key agency coordinating validation activities of all relevant actors. In close cooperation with the ETF the NQA has developed and launched the Register of Qualifications. “Regulation on the Register of Qualifications" approved by the Cabinet of the Ministers of Ukraine in June 2021 determines the procedure for creating and maintaining the register of qualifications. The Register contains information about educational and professional qualifications, occupational standards, qualification centres, experts on accreditation of qualification centres, documents on professional qualifications; applications for the development of professional standards providing a unified platform for all validation actors. MoE in cooperation with the SES and its regional centres takes main responsibilities for validation activities in vocational occupations. The representatives of national and local businesses and employers’ associations play an essential role in coordination and cooperation with the SES in pilot projects for validation of non-formal and informal learning, dual education, foresight and development of occupational standards, digitalization of training services, and professional training for adults. MoES plays a leading role in policymaking and introducing effective mechanisms on validation system in the education sector, particularly in higher and adult education.
Validation in the education and training sector is introduced through the procedure on recognition of learning outcomes of non-formal and informal learning. In accordance with the Law on Education (2017), a number of higher education institutions have developed validation regulations. Since 2019 it is one of the highly recommended requirements for accreditation of educational programs in higher education. Recognition of learning outcomes achieved at working places is provided by some educational institutions which are approved by the government.
Validation in the labor market sector is represented through recognition of non-formal vocational training. The recognition procedure approved in 2013 is actively implemented for the profession ‘cook’ in three assessment centers in Kyiv, Odesa and Rivne. The typical validation procedure consists of identification, documentation, assessment and certification according to “The Guidelines on the process of assessment and recognition of the results of non-formal vocational training”. To make validation operate better in the labor market VET schools need a simplified procedure for getting permission from the government for VNFIL activities and relevant changes to the legislation.
To facilitate the visibility and benefits of non-formal and informal learning, the validation system has to be introduced into different sectors: education and training, labour market, the third sector. The crucial factor for operational validation is designing and implementing a unified national VNFIL system that would cover all the above-mentioned sectors and support validation users at each stage. The adopting of national legislation basis for adult education is considered to be an important issue for activating the validation process. One of the key challenges for the education system is the development of effective validation mechanisms to recognise educational and professional qualifications. The increasing popularity of distance non-formal learning among students requires transparency and reliability of VNFIL activities.
Policymakers are aware that simplification of validation system in Ukraine and making it more flexible are crucial factors for its successful implementation. New impact is expected from qualification centres that are charged to recognise professional qualifications independently of the learning path: formal, non-formal, informal. Currently, the first experts in accreditation of qualification centres are being certified and the applications for qualification centre accreditation are being accepted by the NQA. Raising public awareness on validation is one of the important NQA’s missions. Development and launching a unified digital platform for informing about validation opportunities and benefits to the public is believed to facilitate communication between potential users and validation providers.
It is great that you are launching the unified digital platform. That is what we need in Russia too.
Dear Vitaly, thank you very much for your interest and involvement. I believe that international exchange is an invaluable contribution to the validation system development.
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