The document discusses a roadmap for validation and the value of competencies in the Nordic countries from 2018. It outlines recommendations from the 2012 Council Recommendation on validating non-formal and informal learning. The roadmap can be used as a benchmark to assess progress on regulations, stakeholder involvement, quality assurance, and other areas of validation systems. Sweden's validation system scores higher in 2018 than 2015 according to the benchmark across factors like policies, financing, and information provision. The workshop questions focus on impactful factors in validation output, using EU mobility tools, the relationship between validation and career/business skills, and areas for further national and Nordic development after 2018.

1. Seminarium - Hur långt har
utvecklingen med validering
kommit i Norden?
Roadmap 2018 – Validation and the value of competencies
Pär Sellberg
The Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education

2. Why a roadmap?
• The Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012 on the validation
of non-formal and informal learning
• Briefing note 9065 – Shaping lifelong learning
• Experiences in the NVL Expert Network on Validation
• The need for further development

3. Council Recommendation on the validation of
non-formal and informal learning
• Arrangements for VPL are in place which enables individuals to
validate prior learning and obtain full or part qualifications
• Arrangements are linked to national qualifications frameworks
• VPL is supported by appropriate guidance and counselling
• Transparent quality assurance measures are in place
• The use of transparency tools like Europass is promoted
• Synergies exist between VPL arrangements and credit systems like
ECVET and ECTS

4. A holistic perspective on VPL
• Why is the output of the systems less than expected?
• Are we really focusing on the competences required for working life,
citizenship and individual development?
• Is the context in which VPL is embedded of greater importance than
foreseen?

5. How to use it
• As a starting point for reflection
• As a tool for development
• For benchmark on VPL systems
• To influence on policy level
• Adapt the indicators for your conditions and purposes

6. Benchmark for Sweden in 2015
1,18
1,54
1,45
1,06
0,88
1,39
0,00
0,50
1,00
1,50
2,00
2,50
3,00
regulations/frameworks/ policies
incentives/financing/sustainability
stakeholders involvment/roles and
responsibilities
information/implementation/
coordination
infrastructure/support-
systems/networks
quality/follow up/research
Benchmark
Serie1

7. Benchmark for Sweden in 2018
1,89
1,75
1,68
1,46
1,21
1,75
0,00
0,50
1,00
1,50
2,00
2,50
3,00
regulations/frameworks/ policies
incentives/financing/sustainability
stakeholders involvment/roles and
responsibilities
information/implementation/
coordination
infrastructure/support-
systems/networks
quality/follow up/research
Benchmark
Serie1

8. Questions for the workshop
• Which factors do you expect have the greatest impact on the output
of VPL systems?
• Are we making the full use of the EU mobility tools for VET?
• How does VPL relate to Career Management Skills and strategic skills
supply of companies?
• What happens after 2018 and what areas for development do you see
as important in a national or Nordic context?
• Which areas for development would be suitable for Nordic
cooperation?