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Accreditation and Validation

Accreditation

MQC accredits programmes of studies and institutions on the basis of level descriptors, quality assurance mechanisms and clear pathways for further training and education. Occupational standards also determine the accreditation of specific programmes of studies.

Validation

Validation is the tool through which invisible learning is made visible. It is the tool through which, within a lifelong learning perspective, what is learnt, in whatever way, can be assigned a recognised value for personal use, social recognition, and employment. For individuals, validation means giving value to all the range of skills and competences one has; for employers it makes human resource management easier as it is possible to identify what a person is able to do; and for society where all the skills and competences available can be mapped. Validation is used as a common term to cover a whole process involving first the identification of learning outcomes, undergoing assessment and/or testing processes, to recognition, certification or accreditation at the end of the process.

A formal definition of validation used in the Cedefop glossary and the Communication on Lifelong Learning includes identification, assessment and recognition of skills and competences which people develop through their lives and in different contexts, through work, education and leisure. The importance of validation has been highlighted in trying to value all types of learning, whenever and wherever it takes place and with a view that it makes visible learning what has so far still remained invisible. This is particularly relevant in the case of lifelong learning. Colardyn and Bjornavold highlight the existence of three dimensions usually included in definitions of validation. These three dimensions refer to:

Reference to Learning Outcomes: Whichever way learning takes places, there is always reference to learning outcomes. The advantage of using such an approach is that focus is on what a person knows and/or is able to do rather than the process through which knowledge, skills and attitudes were acquired;
Standards against which assessment takes place: There are various ways through which standards can be set. They can be set by the educational institutions themselves, by accrediting bodies, and even by practitioners within the sector themselves. Whatever way standards are set, validation involves at one point measuring an individual’s capabilities against some standard set of outcomes. Standards act as the yardstick against which individuals are assessed;
The process of how learning outcomes are validated: It is not enough to identify learning outcomes and to have standards against which to compare these learning outcomes. The process by which this ‘measurement’ or assessment is done, plays a very important role as it ensures that the process is fair and transparent and that every individual receives a deserved judgment of his or her learning.

Validation takes place in the case of formal, informal and non-formal learning situations. In the case of formal education involving education and/or training programmes, validation leads to a certificate or diploma. This certification is usually placed within a national qualifications framework. This type of validation includes assessment of prior learning (APL). Validation in this area is usually recognised nationally and possibly also internationally, and has value within the labour market. Validation of formal education is quite advanced.

The MQC has initiated a CONSULTATION PROCESS on the validation of informal and non-formal learning in Malta. The General Public is invited to submit Comments and/or Suggestions by email to MQC

European guidelines for validating non-formal and informal learning (PDF)

European Inventory on the validation of informal and non-formal learning (PDF)

Notes of the MQC Colloquium on the Validation of informal and non-formal Learning June 2009 (PDF)

Press Release on the National Colloquium on the validation of non-formal and informal learning (PDF)