Valuing learning in the Netherlands
The accreditation of prior learning has a history of ten years in the Netherlands. Visions on the introduction of a comprehensive national system for APL were voiced in the mid-90s but not fully implemented. The Dutch situation could be characterized by a bottom-up approach and a let-thousand-flowers-bloom philosophy instead. However, the ambition to implement a high quality, transparent and easily accessible APL-procedure for all individuals tailored to their personal goals, in all sectors of work and at all educational levels has been given new input during recent years. Substantial national government investments, a quality code for APL, regional access points and subsidies at sector level form the basis for the next phase of APL in the Netherlands.Martine Maes (CINOP) wrote an article in 2008 that follows the road of implementation, quotes successes and good practice stories and ends with formulating some challenges lying ahead.
