European Commission calls for recognition of skills gained outside formal education

As part of its strategy for creating jobs and growth, the Commission has launched an initiative to boost the recognition of skills and competences gained outside school or university.
Through this recommendation, the Commission is urging Member States to establish national systems for the validation of non-formal and informal learning by 2015. This would allow citizens to obtain a full or partial qualification on the basis of skills and competences acquired outside formal education. Only Finland, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands currently have comprehensive systems in place for validation of non-formal and informal learning.
"In a time of high unemployment and low economic growth, it is essential that Europe develops the right mix of skills and competences to boost competitiveness, prosperity and social inclusion," says Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
The Commission's proposal will be discussed by the Council and is due to be adopted by education and youth ministers on 23-24 November 2012.
More information:

• Proposal for a Council Recommendation on the validation of non-formal and informal learning
• European Commission: Education and training and validation of non-formal and informal learning
• Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou's website