The adoption of the Council Recommendation on the validation of non-formal and informal learning of 20 December 2012 acknowledges the important role this process can plan in rethinking education, in improving the supply of skills to the labour market, in promoting mobility and in enhancing competitiveness and economic growth. It also reflects that existing arrangements for validation of non-formal and informal learning are considered to be too limited in coverage and impact. While arrangements for validation have been put in place in some countries and sectors, the knowledge, skills and competences acquired outside schools, universities and VET establishments remain in many cases invisible and not appropriately valued.

The seminar on 9-10 April 2013 will provide the first opportunity for validation stakeholders from all relevant areas, to discuss and take a first concrete step towards putting elements of the Recommendation into action. It will be a working seminar targeted towards practitioners and policy-makers who are directly involved in validating non-formal and informal learning.

Source: CEDEFOP website