A quality code for APL: Identifying and accrediting a lifetime of learning

The APL code 

  • The goal of APL is to define, evaluate and accredit individual competencies.
  • APL primarily answers to the need of the individual. Entitlements and arrangements are clearly defined and guaranteed.
  • Procedures and instruments are reliable and based on solid standards.
  • Assessors and supervisors are competent, impartial and independent.
  • The quality of the APL procedure is guaranteed and is being improved on an ongoing basis.

The Dutch Knowledge Centre APL is happy to introduce to you the quality code for APL.
National actors, among which APL providers, employers and accreditation bodies, have joined hands to develop a quality code for APL. Based on existing quality methods and the Common European Principles for the identification and validation of non-formal and informal learning, an APL code has been developed which enables all actors in the Netherlands to bring APL to a higher quality level. We hope to inspire our colleagues at European level.

 
In November 2006, a convenant was signed by all parties involved (see box). These parties agreed on the following arrangements:

  • The use of the code is voluntary, but the signing parties are dedicating themselves to promote the use of APL. Making its use mandatory would detract from the motivation to work with the APL code.
  • Everyone who starts with an APL procedure agrees on the reasons for doing so. APL is not a standard process but an individualized series of arrangements customised to the goal and use of APL. Custom work is the standard.
  • Every APL procedure ends with an APL report. This report states that the individual has documentation of the competences he possesses. This makes APL something independent of the educational provider.
  • Accredited APL providers are listed in a directory.
  • The competences of the people supervising these procedures and performing the assessments are documented. Only professionals can be supervisors or assessors.
  • The quality of APL procedures is always being improved, both at the level of the providers of APL and at the level of the code itself.

The APL providers are evaluated by the evaluating organisations, the used standard is the national quality code for APL. The APL providers with good evaluation reports, are registered in the National Register for accredited APL procedures. These APL providers are called

‘registered providers’ and their APL customers receive a.o. tax benefits.

 

The RPL Quality Code (February 2008) (DOC)
This document contains the official text of the APL Quality Code.

 

RPL Quality Code - Standard Text (2009) (DOC)
This document makes clear on what basis exactly the evaluation organisations come to their evaluation.

 

Self-evaluation form for RPL providers (2009) 9DOC)
With the help of this self-evaluation APL providers can check whether the RPL procedure complies with the RPL Quality Code. APL providers can also use the form to start working with RPL within their organisation. The use of the form results in concrete actions for improvement within an organisation.

 

A quality code for APL. Identifying and accrediting a lifetime of learning (May 2008)
In this document you find - apart from the RPL Quality Code - you find chapters on:

  • Standardisation for assessing APL providers
  • Checklist APL Procedures for organisations
  • A format and instructions APL report.