Comparing recognition of prior learning (RPL) across countries

The core idea of RPL (recognition of prior learning) is to promote, to make visible and to make full use of the entire scope of learning results and (work) experience gained by an individual over the lifespan and irrespective of where, when and how the learning took place. This contribution aims at reviewing, comparing and contrasting policies and practices of prior learning, its assessment and recognition across 10 countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. It starts with the emergence of RPL in the light of...  [+] Show more

The core idea of RPL (recognition of prior learning) is to promote, to make visible and to make full use of the entire scope of learning results and (work) experience gained by an individual over the lifespan and irrespective of where, when and how the learning took place. This contribution aims at reviewing, comparing and contrasting policies and practices of prior learning, its assessment and recognition across 10 countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. It starts with the emergence of RPL in the light of lifelong learning and a clarification of concepts and terms. It then turns on national RPL conditions and traditions in all 10 countries with a particular focus on RPL procedures and assessment methods. The contribution ends with critically discussing main findings and developing recommendations for future research.

Excerpt from published abstract.