Recognition of Acquired Competences in Flanders 

In Flanders, the term ‘EVC’ (Erkennen van Verworven Competenties – Recognition of Acquired Competences) is used to refer to the validation of non-formal and informal learning across several policy domains. There are a number of valuable EVC initiatives in place, with procedures and practices operating separately from one another, each based on its own regulatory framework. Within the policy domain of Education and Training, exemptions based on EVC are granted in higher education. Exemption procedures exist in adult education, and individuals can obtain a diploma of secondary education through self-study via the Examination Board (Examencommissie). In addition, relevant prior experience is taken into account for those wishing to enter the teaching profession as side entrants. Within the policy domain of Employment, this includes, among other things, sectoral assessments. Within the policy domain of Culture, Youth, Sport and Media, EVC procedures can, for example, be followed through the Flemish Trainers’ School (Vlaamse Trainersschool). 

Alongside these initiatives, an integrated policy on the recognition of acquired competences (EVC) has been in place since 2019, following the adoption of the EVC decree. This policy spans both Education and Employment and uses the Flemish Qualifications Structure (linked to the European Qualifications Framework) as its reference framework. The EVC Decree enables individuals to obtain a professional qualification or part thereof (a partial qualification or proof of competences) through the EVC pathway. 

Procedures for recognising previously acquired competences also exist for recruitment processes within both the Flemish and the federal government. 

Recognition of Acquired Competencesin Flemish Adult Education 

Adult education 

Adults who wish to obtain a diploma of secondary education later in life can do so by taking examinations organised by the Central Examination Board (Centrale Examencommissie). This is possible for a selection of programmes offered within secondary education. Examinations are organised throughout the year. 

Furthermore, the Flemish Decree on Adult Education of 15 June 2007 provides for exemptions linked to the modular organisation of educational programmes. Centres for Adult Education (CVOs) and Centres for Adult Basic Education (CBEs) provide an assessment for each module and may grant a learner an exemption based on credits for acquired competences and/or an evaluation of competences. Different recognition procedures and techniques may be used across the various centres. However, some centres offering comparable programmes collaborate to achieve greater standardisation of their recognition procedures and techniques. In Flanders, the exemption procedure is free of charge for learners. 

The assessment of modules and the granting of exemptions fall within the exclusive competence of the CVOs and CBEs. The centres themselves are responsible for providing guidance, raising awareness, carrying out assessments, certifying the outputs of recognition procedures, and establishing a quality assurance system. 

CVOs that hold educational authority for a recognised professional qualification may also be recognised as testing centres within the framework of the EVC Decree. They may administer assessments to candidates who have not followed a training programme and issue a proof of a professional qualification or a competence certificate. 

RAC-decree and Quality Framework Decree

Given the importance of validating competences acquired outside formal education, and in order to counter fragmentation within the EVC landscape, the Flemish Government committed in 2019 to an integrated EVC policy. This policy was formalised through the EVC Decree, which was developed simultaneously with the Quality Framework Decree (Gemeenschappelijk kwaliteitskader, GKK). 

The GKK Decree made it possible for private and public organisations, in addition to recognised education providers, to undergo a recognition procedure and to be authorised to organise professional qualification pathways (both professional qualification training pathways and professional qualification EVC pathways) and to issue proofs of professional qualification (Beroepskwalificaties, BK), all within a common quality framework that guarantees quality assurance. In this way, a shared framework was established for the assessment and certification of acquired competences, the implementation of which is a shared responsibility of the policy domains of education and employment. 

The proofs of professional qualification issued following an EVC pathway replace the former “experience certificates”. This was the previous procedure, laid down in a decree approved in April 2004, which allowed individuals to demonstrate that they possessed the skills required to practise a profession.