July 2008, Denmark
Formal documents on RPL:
The paper contains: Legislation on recognizing prior learning in adult education and continuing training Tools for RPL - My Competence Portfolio - Three tools for prior learning assessment
Legislation on recognizing prior learning in adult education and continuing training Act no. 556, entitled ”Development of the recognition of prior learning in adult education and continuing training” (Udbygning af anerkendelse af realkompetence på voksen- og efteruddannelsesområdet mv), was passed on June 6, 2007. It is the overarching legal framework for RPL in Denmark. Parts of the new law came into effect on August 1, 2007, while other parts first came into effect on August 1, 2008. The act is only available in Danish: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=25349 (LOV nr. 556 af 06/06/2007 Gældende: Lov om ændring af forskellige love på Undervisningsministeriets område (Udbygning af anerkendelse af realkompetence på voksen- og efteruddannelsesområdet m.v.) This legislation represents an attempt made by the politicians to set the needs of the individual person at the centre. The focus is for the assessment of prior learning to motivate those with little or no education to participate in life-long learning. For the adult individual, the legislation means that he/she can have his/her prior learning assessed and recognized, thus rendering it easier for them to gain access to a relevant opportunity for further education and training. For the educational institutions within the area, this provides opportunity to carry out specific assessments of prior learning as known from previous practice in Denmark in adult vocational training and vocational education. The new actors in relation to the Diploma Education Programs are the academies of professional higher education (Erhvervsakademierne) and the Centers for Higher Education/ University Colleges (Professionshøjskoler), and from 2008 the Adult Education Center (VUC). RPL in Adult Vocational Training In relation to adult vocational training programs, the individual is offered an Individual Competence Assessment. It is to form the basis for an individually tailored education plan as well as an education or competence certificate. This certificate can generally be used when applying for an education program or together with a job application. In the past, an individual’s skills and competences were typically clarified on the basis of an Individual Competences Clarification, the purpose of which exclusively dealt with clarifying the participant’s skills and
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competences with reference to a relevant educational opportunity in the AMU system (Adult Vocational Training/ Labour Market Training). That which is new is that the assessment must now also include elementary skills in areas such as e.g. Danish and mathematics and certificates have to be issued. This part of the act came into effect on August 1, 2007. The Act In the general legal regulations for Labour Market Training RPL is specifically included. The Act on Labour Market Training etc. Act no. 190 of 18/03/2008. The act is only available in Danish: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=115746 (LBK nr. 190 af 18/03/2008 Gældende Bekendtgørelse af lov om arbejdsmarkedsuddannelser m.v.) The Ministerial Order Because of the political process finishing the Ministerial Order it is not yet available. RPL in GVU and VVU GVU and VVU are included in the same act as both educational programs are a part of the Adult Educational system. GVU The Vocational Colleges must offer individual competence assessments as the basis for arranging a Basic Adult Education (GVU) program and provide opportunity for abbreviating an education program or be moved ahead on the background of a specific assessment. An individual study plan is to be made and certificates to be issued. VVU In relation to the short-cycle higher education programs (VVU) and diploma programs at University Colleges, it becomes possible to gain admission exclusively on the basis of one’s prior learning. Until now, applicants have had to document a relevant education program and at least two years relevant work experience in order to gain admission. This part of the act came into effect as of August 1, 2007. The Act The Act on Vocational Basic Adult Education and Higher Adult Education (Act no 1051 of 29/08/2007). Only available in Danish: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=25442 (LBK nr. 1051 af 29/08/2007 Gældende Bekendtgørelse af lov om Erhvervsrettet Grunduddannelse og Videregående Uddannelse (videreuddannelsessystemet for voksne). The Ministerial Order Ministerial order of Individual Competency Assessments (Assessment of non-formal and informal learning) in Higher Adult Education programs (VVU) and in Diploma Education Programs is Act no. 8 of 10/01/2008. Only available in Danish: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=25521 (BEK nr. 8 af 10/01/2008 Gældende (Realkompetencebekendtgørelsen)
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Bekendtgørelse om Individuel Kompetencevurdering (IKV/realkompetencevurdering) i Videregående Voksenuddannelser (VVU) og Diplomuddannelser i videreuddannelsessystemet for voksne). RPL in AVU/HF VUC/ Adult Education Centers are to offer a guidance-counseling interview to applicants, the purpose of which is to clarify which level the individual is to be placed on. The new act emphasizes the obligation to offer an assessment of prior learning in relation to the relevant levels in General Adult Education (AVU) and Higher Preparatory Examinations (HF), respectively. This must be offered regardless of whether the individual is interested in gaining admission to VUC or not. As something new, a competence certificate is to be issued for the recognized skills and competences. This act came into effect August 1, 2008. The Act Act no. 311 of 30/04/2008. Act on General Adult Education and on recognition of prior learning in relation to courses in General Adult Education, Higher Preparatory Examinations and General Certificate of Secondary Education (General Adult Education Act) Only available in Danish: https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=116906 (LOV nr. 311 af 30/04/2008 Gældende: Lov om almen voksenuddannelse og om anerkendelse af realkompetence i forhold til fag i almen voksenuddannelse, i hf-uddannelsen og i uddannelsen til studentereksamen (avu-loven)) The Ministerial Order Because of the political process finishing the Ministerial Order it is not yet available. Tools for RPL: My Competence Portfolio The Danish Ministry of Education has developed a tool to help the individual gain an overview of what he/she knows and has learned during educational programs, on the job and in leisure time activities. The tool is called My Competence Portfolio and is divided into the following forms: educational background, job experience, experiences from leisure time, voluntary work and association activities, adult education, competences and documentation. It can be used by anybody , is available on the internet and is free of charge . The tool may be used to clarify and document what the individual already knows and it may be relevant if he/she is about to enter on an adult and continuing training program and would like an assessment of his/hers competences by an educational institution. For the individual it can also be used in the process of planning continuing training and competence development, for instance with a supervisor. To define what is relevant to include in the portfolio it is recommended that the individual considers in which context he/she wants to use the portfolio. The aim with a standardized portfolio is to facilitate the educational institutions in the process of recognizing prior learning. The tool is available in English: http://www.minkompetencemappe.dk/Default.aspx Three tools for prior learning clarification In 2007 the Ministry of Education launched three different tools to help the individual documenting the skills and competences she/he has acquired through either
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1) non-formal adult education, 2) association work 3) volunteer work.
The tools are developed by Knowledge lab at the University of Southern Denmark. In the introduction to the non-formal adult education tool, Knowledge lab writes: ”The prior learning instrument at www.realkompetence-folkeoplysning.dk (non-formal adult education) now allows you to describe and document the unique skills and competences you have developed in adult education, e.g. at an evening school, folk high school, home economics school, handcrafts school, day folk high school, production college or continuation school. You do so by filling out the questionnaire specifically dealing with what you have learned in adult education. You can either fill out the questionnaire on your own or together with a sparring partner. The end result is a description of your prior learning. This description can be used when you apply for work or when applying for admission to an education program”. The three tools are only available in Danish: 1) http://www.realkompetence-folkeoplysning.dk/ (non-formal adult education, 2) http://www.realkompetence-forening.dk/ (association work) 3) http://www.realkompetence-frivillig.dk/ (volunteer work).
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