Enhancing the link between National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF) and arrangements for the validation of prior learning (VPL), with a specific focus on non-formal qualifications, will create both better training and labour market opportunities for people. It will also contribute to vocational education and training more in line with labour market needs. It will strengthen the inclusion of the third sector in both the work with NQFs and VPL. To enhance that link, to support further policy development, and strengthen the capacity of involved stakeholders, the NOVA-Nordic project has been exploring the following questions:

• Non-formal qualifications – how and by who are they developed? Are they included in the NQFs and if so, how?
• How are learning outcomes designed and used for qualification development as well as in VPL arrangements?
• Are NQFs and VPL arrangements linked and if so, how?

By comparing different country approaches to the above questions and identifying and analysing good practices, the project has formulated a number of core messages aimed at policy makers and other involved stakeholders. In addition, the project has developed a quality tool to support capacity building for those involved in the development of non-formal qualifications, defining learning outcomes, and linking these with VPL arrangements.

Below you can read more about the results of the project and the different outputs.

The NOVA-Nordic project results and outputs

The NOVA project has produced four major outputs. Below you can find reports, good practice cases and the NOVA quality tool.

Linking non-formal qualifications, NQFs and validation arrangements

The project produced a comparative framework as the basis for the comparative study. The framework can be utilised as a self-assessment tool for evaluating links between non-formal qualifications, NQFs and validation arrangements.

Non-formal learning is part of the solution – A comparative study on NQFs, validation and non-formal learning in the Nordic countries, the Netherlands and Austria

The comparative study included the Nordic countries as well as Austria and the Netherlands. The focus for the comparison was if and how non-formal qualifications are included in the National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF), zooming in on among other aspects legal and institutional arrangements, quality assurance, levelling procedures and possible links with validation arrangements. Read more about the comparative study and the results below.

Good practice examples – common elements for successfully putting all skills to use (promising, but not yet there)

The project identified and gathered information on 17 good practice cases on how non-formal learning can be made visible and linked with National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs). The good practise cases were analysed to extract common denominators used for the NOVA quality tool. You can read more about the results of the analyse in the report.

Quality qualifications – a quality tool for developing, managing, and awarding labour market qualifications

Based mainly on the good practice cases, but also including common elements identified in the comparative study, the NOVA quality tool aims at supporting those involved in the development, management, and awarding of non-formal qualifications. The tool is in an Excel-format that can be adapted for different contexts, adding, or changing sections and indicators. In the accompanying document, background, the different sections, and indicators are described to provide an overview.

Read more about the NOVA-Nordic project on the Eramus+ web.

Project partners

Disclaimer

The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.