1. The Danish Approach: Recognition of prior learning – Anerkendelse af realkompetencer Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning Glasgow May 2012

2. The Danish Learning Culture Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning • Education system / adulteducation system in Denmark is well elaborated and developed - long traditions. • Highdegree of involvement of social partners and stakeholders. • Collaborationwith regional and locallevels. • 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.

3. Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning

4. Policy process in DK Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning 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

5. Policy process (2) Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning 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

6. 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

7. Prior learning is defined as:”Knowledge, skills and competencies a person has, regardless of how and wheretheyareobtained” in Danish ”Realkompetence” Kirsten Aagaard , National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning

8. Common principles: Kirsten Aagaard, National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning • 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

9. Legal status: Act 556 of June 2007 Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning • Adult vocational Training (AMU) • Basic Adult Education (GVU) • Short cycle higher education programmes ( VVU) • Diploma programmes • General adult education (avu)/ higher preparatory exams (HF)

10. Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning

11. The process of RPL Funding Dokumentation Assesment No funding Recognition and certification- admission- competence certificates- educational certificates Information and clarification Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning

12. The Danish Ministry of Education has carried out an examination of the law (2010): Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning • RPL is still a broadlyfoundedpoliticalprojectsupported by relevant stakeholders and the social partners. • It is still seen as a veryimportant instrument contributing to promote adults participation in adult and continuingtraining and to improveadultspossibilities on labourmarket. • But there is a potential for development and improvementespeciallywithin information about RPL, simplifying, standardization and quality assurance.

13. Barriers Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning Economy Institutional anchoring Attitudes of the teachers Competence development of the professionals Cross sectorial cooperation / stakeholder cooperation

14. National action plan 2010-2011 Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning In 2010 The former Ministry of Education made a national action plan with 4 initiativescrossing all relevant educationalareas. The general themeswere: 1. Mapping out the players guidance and counsellingbefore RPL (the prefase) 2. Examine the possibilities of RPL in the educational system to get a broaderperspective for example an occupational and a job-relatedperspective 3. Quality assurance with a specialfocus on developing a code of conduct for RPL 4. A local guidance and information campaign - in order to support a broaderimplementation of RPL in all educationalareas In spring 2011 a committeebegan to put more detailintothe action plan. In 2012 – 2014 furtherinitiativeswillbetaken on the basis of the action plan.

15. Challenges - RPL Kirsten Aagaard National Knowledge Centre for Validation of Prior Learning 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.

16. European Inventory on Validation of Nonformaland Informal Learning 2010 Country Report: Kirsten Aagaard http://libserver.cedefop.europa.eu/vetelib/2011/77455.pdf Contact: Kirsten Aagaard Nationalt Videncenter for Realkompetence Hedeager 2, 8200 Aarhus N Danmark + 45 87 55 18 21 Kiaa@viauc.dk