Since its launch in 2003 the ETSC has established itself as a pivotal actor in the development of methods and procedures for validating non-formal and informal learning in Iceland. The centre has been able to achieve this due to its strong ties with industry, the education system (both formal and non-formal) and the Ministry of education, culture and science.
The ETSC has a service agreement with the Ministry of education, culture and science, where it says that one of the tasks of the ETSC is “…to develop methods to validate education and educational progress, including validation and accreditation of non-formal learning and training in cooperation with work life and educational providers. Also to assist in developing personal portfolios for individuals within the target group [i.e. unskilled workers].” Thus ETSC is contracted by the Ministry of education, culture and science to develop methodologies to validate non-formal and informal learning in Iceland. The target group for ETSC is people with little formal education and this project is initially directed at this group, but will also later be made available to qualified staff on the labour market.
The first proposals for a national system of validation on upper secondary level were handed to the Ministry of education, culture and science in March, 2007 by the ETSC, suggesting the development of VNFL-IFL both within the upper secondary school system and within the lifelong learning system. On behalf of the Ministry of education, culture and science a committee is working to build up a strategy on the implementation of a VNFL-IFL system, the plan is to have this strategy ready by the end of 2009.
