The Danish Approach:
Recognition of prior learning –
Anerkendelse af realkompetencer
Kirsten Aagaard
National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Glasgow May 2012
The Danish Learning Culture
• Education system / adult education system in Denmark is
well elaborated and developed - long traditions.
• High degree of involvement of social partners and
stakeholders.
• Collaboration with regional and local levels.
• Legislation: Typically ”framework laws” with
decentralised operation. Top-down and bottom-up
processes.
• Pedagogical approach: From teaching to learning ,
process-oriented, dialogue-based and involvment of
participants. Evaluation.
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Kirsten Aagaard
National
Knowledge
Centre for
Validation of
Policy process in DK
Since 1995 policy papers and decisions addressing:
• Support a higher level of competences primarily the
low- and unskilled
• Make prior learning visible in order to secure
recognition
• Improve cross sectoral mobility
• Improve labour market mobility
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Policy process (2)
• Issuing certificates for more than formal education
• The monopoly of the formal educational system is
challenged
• Avoid double education – not get instruction in
something you already know
• Facilitate admission to formal education
• Shortening length of formal education
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Cross ministerial memorandum 2004 , legislation in 2007 and Ministry of
Education following initiatives:
• A partnership agreement with the social partners regarding recognition of
prior learning running from August 2007 to August 2009;
• A national information and networking campaign focusing on prior learning;
• An on-line skills portfolio that can be used to document skills when seeking
prior learning assessments (www.minkompetencemappe.dk – an English
version is available at www.mycompetencefolder.dk);
• A handbook of prior learning to be used by the adult and continuing
education institutions;
• Establishment of a National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior
Learning (NVR);
• Establishment of a counselling web portal that provides general information
about prior learning (www.ug.dk); and
• A TV campaign aired on Danish National TV, conferences, seminars and
meetings, etc.
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Prior learning is defined as:
”Knowledge, skills and competencies a person has,
regardless of how and where they are obtained” in
Danish ”Realkompetence”
Kirsten Aagaard , National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Common principles:
• A right for the individual
• Free of charge for low skilled
• Always in relation to educational
objectives, levels and requirements
• The individual has a responsibility for
contribution to the documentation
• Generally accepted certificates
• Appeals board established
Kirsten Aagaard, National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Legal status: Act 556 of June 2007
• Adult vocational Training (AMU)
• Basic Adult Education (GVU)
• Short cycle higher education
programmes ( VVU)
• Diploma programmes
• General adult education (avu)/ higher
preparatory exams (HF)
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
The process of RPL
Funding
Dokumentation
Assesment
No funding
Information and clarification
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Recognition and
certification
- admission
- competence certificates
- educational certificates
The Danish Ministry of Education has carried out
an examination of the law (2010):
•RPL is still a broadly founded political project supported by
relevant stakeholders and the social partners.
•It is still seen as a very important instrument contributing to
promote adults participation in adult and continuing training
and to improve adults possibilities on labour market.
•But there is a potential for development and improvement
especially within information about RPL, simplifying,
standardization and quality assurance.
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Barriers
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Economy
Institutional anchoring
Attitudes of the teachers
Competence development of the
professionals
• Cross sectorial cooperation / stakeholder
cooperation
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
National action plan 2010-2011
In 2010 The former Ministry of Education made a national action plan with 4
initiatives crossing all relevant educational areas. The general themes
were:
1. Mapping out the players guidance and counselling before RPL (the prefase)
2. Examine the possibilities of RPL in the educational system to get a broader
perspective for example an occupational and a job-related perspective
3. Quality assurance with a special focus on developing a code of conduct for
RPL
4. A local guidance and information campaign
- in order to support a broader implementation of RPL in all educational areas
In spring 2011 a committee began to put more detail into the action plan.
In 2012 – 2014 further initiatives will be taken on the basis of the action plan.
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
Challenges - RPL
•
•
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•
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To get from system level to user level.
To built up a national coherent structure.
To develop the system in a sustainable way.
To inform and improve knowledge about the possibility of
obtaining RPL.
Educational changes in the light of RPL.
Strengthen the collaboration between the sectors:
Education, labour market and the third sector.
A challenge to integrate all the elements of the process:
Information, clarification, documentation, assessment and
formal recognition.
Quality assurance.
Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning
European Inventory on Validation of Nonformal
and Informal Learning 2010
Country Report: Kirsten Aagaard
• http://libserver.cedefop.europa.eu/vetelib/201
1/77455.pdf
Contact:
Kirsten Aagaard
Nationalt Videncenter for Realkompetence
Hedeager 2, 8200 Aarhus N
Danmark
+ 45 87 55 18 21
Kiaa@viauc.dk