Validation of Informal and Non-Formal Learning T he French VAE system and practice in validating non formal and informal learning Ankara, Wednesday 2 nd March 2016 Michel Aribaud – MILOEL Consulting A member of ECVET TEAM®

Why VAE* in France? Four slices of (real) life from thousands… *Validation des acquis de l’expérience Validation of experience outcomes

Annie 40 years old She has been working for 10 years as “home help” for senior people. In a few months, a new regulation will impose that “home help” employees get a first level certificate in this field in order to be able to work in this professional sector.. If I can not get this degree, I will loose my job. Could I get benefits from my 10 years’ experience and competences acquired ? A need to update/upgrade her qualification in order to cope with a legislative evolution

Jacques 35 years old He is department manager in a garment superstore since 5 years. He started 10 years ago as a simple employee and progressively reached his current position. All the new department managers in the group are hired with a bachelor degree in trade. How will I be regarded by these qualified colleagues? Will it have an impact on my position in the company ? A need to update/upgrade his qualification in order to cope with the company new requirements.

Florence 45 years old She started working after getting a high school diploma. She was laid off after 10 years working as an executive secretary. While looking for a new job, she is aware that priority is given to candidates with a 2 years high technical degree (BTS). How can I get benefits from the 10 years’ experience and skills I acquired ? How can I get a degree in a short time so as to meet the needs of the market ? A need to update/upgrade her qualifications in order to meet the market demands

Marie Human resources manager in a big size agro-food company Process automation and quality constraints are changing needs employees skills. 25 employees may no longer meet the technical requirements of the production process. The company's policy is to allow these employees to remain in business under the condition to adapt, particularly through training. How to motivate workers and to shorten training aiming at achieving qualifications, taking into account the existing skills and competences of the workers? A need to update/upgrade workers qualifications in order to meet the company needs and secure their job

The legal basis for VAE

A brief history of VNFIL in France 1934 Validation of the occupational experience for technicians to become engineer (at least 5 years of working experiences) 1985 Validation of occupational experience to enrol in a higher education cycle (VAP HE) 1992 Validation of occupational experience to achieve a part of a vocational education and training (VET) qualification or HE degree (VAP) 2002 Validation of non formal and informal learning to award a full VET qualification or a higher education degree (VAE) 1971 : first step of a global lifelong learning process: general framework is set up in order to promote the VET system for facing the needs of the labour market => continuing training 2002 : the State, the social partners and the employers wish to stay competitive, to update qualification and to promote the social cohesion adopt a new global legal framework => 1971 : first step of a global lifelong learning process: general framework is set up in order to promote the VET system for facing the needs of the labour market => continuing training 2002 : the State, the social partners and the employers wish to stay competitive, to update qualification and to promote the social cohesion adopt a new global legal framework =>

The 2002 law: the culmination of a political and social reflection Need to promote social cohesion, to fight against exclusion, to encourage opportunities for second chance pathways, to support professional mobility… Need to make visible and to recognise all skills in order to develop workers’ employability and work force adaptability. A policy and legal answer 2002 : law for “social modernisation” including VAE

VAE in the 2002 law: both sides of the same coin 1 – Individual right: Any person may apply for the recognition of her/his skills, knowledge and competences achieved in non-formal and informal contexts, in order to obtain full or partial qualification (certificates, diplomas and so on), just as in formal contexts such as initial VET, apprenticeship VET or continuing training. 2 – Qualifications framework: All qualifications recognised by the State and social partners and listed in the National directory of qualifications (RNCP) are open to VAE and must be achievable through VAE*. *Except those qualifications linked to regulated profession.

Qualifications in France, since – The big one: qualifications registered in the national register-RNCP, the basis of the French NQF Recognised by the State and social partners Designed by the awarding body with representatives of the economic sector Awarding bodies: 1.The State (11 Ministries) 2.Private or public qualifications providers 3.Economic sectors (sectoral vocational certificates) VAE: the 2002 law is applicable to all qualifications. VAE Monitoring by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational training 2 – The marginal one, out of the French NQF: Qualifications no registered in the national register. No recognised by the State and the social partners Awarding bodies: education providers (VET, HE, …) VAE: the 2002 law is applicable on voluntary basis. No VAE monitoring

Qualifications in France: 3 crucial concepts 1 – Qualifications and learning process: not to be confused! 1.A Qualification is the formal result of a learning process, whatever the format, duration, content, organisation of the learning process 2.A qualification standard is standing alone, independently of any educational or training programme 3.A qualification may be achieved following various training path 2 – A qualification is a qualification (no formal qualif ≠ non-formal qualif ≠ informal qualif …) 3 – All qualifications registered in the RNCP are vocational/occupational

How does France build a qualification ? The VAE process

The operational framework for VAE 1 – General principles and main phases of the procedure: set by the 2002 law and decrees 1.Information and guidance 2.Portfolio and counselling 3.Assessment and interview by a “jury” 4.Certification and awarding procedure 2 – Specific rules and practices: set by each authority awarding qualifications, respecting general principles and main phases Actual validation procedures depending on the type of qualification targeted and awarding body

How does France build a qualification ? Using VAE for achieving partial or full qualification awarded by the Ministry of Education -MEN

Do you speak French… VAE?

The 3 MEN VAE key words VAE = achievement of a full qualification (national VET diplomas) or partial qualification (units = credits) Qualification VAE = 3 year* learning experience in relation to the field/subject of the expected qualification (from 600) Experience VAE = outcomes from learning experience, matching those listed in the qualification standard Learning outcomes *Subject to revision.

scope of the occupation functions and tasks to be performed within the given occupation The occupational standard (linked to job profile) Learning outcomes: expected knowledge, skills, know-how, attitudes and competences Units of learning outcomes (building blocks), ECVET compatible The “certification” standard Assessment processes, having regards to units The assessment standard The MEN qualifications standard: 3 components

The MEN VAE procedure: preliminary phase 1st step: information to choose the right process: skill audit, training, VAE,… Where: Employment Local Agencies, the Career Guidance Centres, The skills Audit Centres, employers, accredited fund-collecting agency… 2sd step: guidance to choose the right type of qualification and the right awarding body Where: Information and Advice centres (PRI) under the regional Councils’ authority 3rd step: involvement in the VAE process Where: with the authority legally responsible for the qualification to be achieved (or its services dedicated to VAE)

The MEN VAE procedure: second phase 1- Eligibility process: Who: the awarding body 2- Experience portfolio process: Who: the candidate for making his experience visible in a portfolio 3- Assessment and validation process: Who: the assessment committee (Jury) - Full validation: qualification is awarded - Partial qualification: units are awarded - No validation 4- Certification process Who: awarding authority

1 – Eligibility process Information and guidance Inform on EN VAE process Appraise the evidence of individual’s experience in relation to one specific qualification (600 EN qualifications, EQF 3 to 5 ), using the occupational standard Provide guidance for describing experiences and providing evidence (three years experiences in relation with the intended qualification) Eligibility Organise an interview with an advisor Decide on the admissibility and the right to pursue the VAE process on the basis of the completed VAE application form Provide a first approach of the VAE Portfolio

Description of the Experiences… Identify activities in close relation with the occupational standard framework Describe 4 or 5 situations and activities in the portfolio + evidence … with possible Guidance and coaching Provide methodological support for selecting activities and filling in the portfolio Prepare for the interview 2 - experience portfolio process

Portfolio & Interview Analyse and assess the experience Link experience and qualification requirements on the basis of the completed portfolio Check and confirm assessment results through the interview Validation Translate the assessment results in qualification or units to be awarded, using the “certification” standard Propose to the awarding body: - to award the full qualification - to award parts of the qualification (units – valid for 5 years) - to postpone the validation 3 – assessment & validation process

Validation Translate the assessment results in qualification or units to be awarded Propose to the awarding body: - to award the full qualification - to award parts of the qualification (units – 5 years validity) - to postpone the validation Certification Formally award full or partial qualification (units) In case of partial qualification, provide advice on the ways for achieving the qualification Inform candidates 4 - certification process

Then?

In case of partial qualification 1 – The awarded units are valid during 5 years 2 – The candidate will use this period for accumulating the missing units in order to achieve the full qualification: Formal training = tests, exams New experience = VAE (eligibilty is valid for 5 years)

MEN VAE Who?

Stakeholders are all trained and accredited by the awarding body (MEN) 1) VAE Information officers 2)VAE consultants, advisors and coaches 3) VAE Assessors, members of the Assessment committee (jury) 4) VAE supervisors: inspectorate

The assessors committee (MEN) The assessors committee is composed with: Representatives of the sector or trade Parity between employers and employees Balance between men and women Trainers from public VET centres (initial and continuing VET) Teachers for general matters from VET centres

MEN VAE Where?

MEN VAE is provided by: 1 – For the information and coaching phases: -Each of the 30 regional MEN centres, so called DAVA and associated VAE centres -DAVA and associated VAE centres are accredited, following a national accreditation standard -The national State quality charter for provision of guidance to VAE applicants is applicable to DAVA 2 – For the validation and certification phases: -Each of the regional qualifications/diplomas centres

MEN VAE How much?

1 – Overall cost of the MEN VAE process for one person is estimated 1000 to 1500 € 2 – The preliminary information and guidance phse is funded by the State 3 – The coaching phase is funded by: - the person - the employer/company - the Continuing VET funds - … 4 – The assessment and validation phase is funded by the State

DATA on VAE

Global annual flows of VAE beneficiaries (All Ministries and Higher education) Number of eligible candidates Number of candidates going through the full VAE process Number of diplomas awarded

Global annual flows of VAE beneficiaries (Ministry of Education) Number of eligible applications Number of applications evaluated by a jury Number of full diplomas awarded

Global annual flows of VAE beneficiaries (Higher Education) Number of eligible applications Number of full qualifications awarded Number of partial diplomas awarded 1 622

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