During the years 2004 to 2007, Sweden had an authority for validation, The National Commission on Validation . The main task of the delegation was to support and contribute to the development of the processes of validation according to legitimacy, quality and working methods. In the final report from The National Commission on Validation (May 2008) we can read: “Validation means that the knowledge and competencies of the individual systematically is being assessed, evaluated and documented, no matter where it has been acquired.” In the same report is also described the importance of developing forms for validation in order to increase the employability for individuals, because of the “changing” labour market. Another proceeding is to increase the possibilities of joining higher education, and make it possible to shorten the study time by avoiding unnecessary education, if the individual already has the corresponding knowledge.
On 1 July 2009 the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (HVEC) was established to develop and oversee a new form of publicly funded vocational education at post upper secondary level. The role of the HVEC is to set up a common framework agreed on and followed by vocational education and training providers. Content is based on the knowledge and experience of what is needed in working life. Among several principal missions, HVEC shall:
- Analyse and assess needs for skilled competence and the development of the labour market
- Coordinate and support a national framework for validation
- Serve as the national coordinator for EQF – the European Qualifications Framework in Lifelong Learning.
Read more at the HVEC website http://www.yhmyndigheten.se/english
