A French language course or a degree in Philology? Three-month Cisco course or five-year studies of computer science?

In Serbia, most certainly, university education has the highest value when applying for a job, where the employers frequently set formal education as one of the main requirements. Nevertheless, sometimes it is impossible to achieve everything that one has planned, while different life and work circumstances lead people towards new business opportunities and the need for prequalification. Any course, a training program or other form of non-formal education is very important for the candidate to develop professionally and work on building competences needed in future work, but it is also an integral part of a lifelong learning process and to keep up with the new conditions on the job market.

Precisely, these are the reasons why defining and establishing the framework for validation of prior learning (non-formal and informal learning) is of high importance.

Knowing that a language course or additional training in computer skills will pay off, although we might not get a certificate, a diploma or a confirmation, it is much easier to start to start this form of learning. Learning in an informal atmosphere without pressure if grading and competing with other learners, can inspire us to learn more and develop both personally and professionally.

It is crucial for all actors to be involved in the process of validation of prior learning, especially those who are directly involved in career planning and job search, such as national employment agencies, civil sector, associations of employers, chambers of commerce, etc.

Only if adult learners know that any additional “work” will pay off, they will start learning again, without fear. Therefore it is necessary to acknowledge and validate prior learning.