Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) refers to the “process of evaluating the knowledge skills or wider competencies which an individual has previously acquired through formal, non-formal or informal learning. This knowledge shall be used to give the possibility of advancement to a person or exemptions from part of a course or qualification or credit towards a qualification”.

Awareness-raising campaign on RPL opportunities and investigation on the future priority profiles to be targeted

This activity targets the key stakeholders involved in the process, particularly potential RPL providers and prospective candidates. The activity also aims to educate the general public about RPL opportunities and the related benefits. Furthermore, it will conduct an initial RPL needs assessment with the support of an online pre-application system.

Develop the needed qualification sets (Occupational Standards, curricula and Teaching and Learning Materials) to implement RPL for the targeted profiles

This activity supports the MESTI in the development of qualification sets for RPL for the profiles targeted by the Project. The selection of the targeted profiles and the Occupational Standards (OS) to be developed shall be based on the initial RPL needs assessment to be conducted at the national level under the previous activity.

Support interested institutions in providing RPL in the process of preparation of applying for accreditation in the selected profiles

All RPL providers aiming to obtain accreditation are supported in the process of preparing the application for accreditation to the NQA. The support includes the development of digital tools to facilitate the process. The staff of the RPL providers (including public and private VET providers and VTCs) will be trained to assist them in the preparation of applications.

Support NQA in the process of evaluating RPL providers’ applications for accreditation and providing trainings to RPL related staff

This activity consists of selecting and training a pool of experts to be part of the teams that will conduct the evaluation of the accreditation process of RPL providers. The teams will be trained on assessing the self-evaluation reports of the RPL providers and conducting the overall external evaluation and monitoring procedures, including site visits. The activity also foresees to conduct training for master trainers who will train RPL practitioners in the future.

Support NQA in providing trainings to RPL providers, coordinators, mentors, internal appraisers and external appraisers

This capacity development activity aims at supporting NQA representatives to train RPL practitioners (coordinators, mentors, internal and external assessors). This action aims at raising their operational capabilities of running RPL modules, as foreseen by the current legal framework and qualify for accreditation and provision of RPL services. The structured training programmes to be offered by NQA will also ensure that the implementation of RPL meets the set quality assurance criteria.

Formalise the engagement of the private sector on RPL implementation through formal partnerships for the development of complementary on-job training, participation on assessment panels and use of companies’ facilities and equipment

The Project supports the NQA and accredited RPL providers in formalising partnerships with the private sector to implement RPL modules in the selected profiles. This includes the participation of the private sector in the assessment panels, the compensation of missing skills to be recognised in specific modules and the use of company facilities. The same partners shall come together in the development of OS for other profiles in which RPL opportunities can be provided.

Establish the legal framework and operational arrangements for including RPL as a complementary active labour market measure (ALMM) available for registered jobseekers, to be implemented through the national employment agency in cooperation with Vocational Training Centres (VTCs)

This activity supports the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo (EARK) to review necessary legal provisions to include RPL as Active Labour Market Measure (ALMM). This includes revision of the Regulation 01/2018 and the two related manuals; Operational Manual for Training and Re-Training and Operational Manual for Employment Services Provision. The aim is to make the ALMM fully operational. The inclusion of the VTCs in the RPL process requires the development of capacities of the staff of VTCs for accreditation as RPL providers and for the provision of RPL services. With this respect, all directors of VTCs will be trained to implement RPL as ALMM, and the Project will continue to provide further capacity development activities for all the relevant staff.