The recognition of prior learning
Do you have professional experience? Would you like to have the skills you’ve acquired throughout your career recognized and earn a degree, a professional certification, or a set of skills toward a certification? RPL is for you!
What is Recognition of Prior Learning ?
Recognition of Prior Learning allows individuals to earn all or part of a degree, a professional certification, or a set of competencies listed in the RNCP by having the skills acquired through their professional, volunteer, or personal experiences recognized. Open to anyone, regardless of age, status, or educational background, the VAE does not require participants to complete a training program.
The certification obtained has the same value as that awarded through initial training or work-study programs.
- Earn a professional certification or a set of competencies from a professional certification
- Align your certification with your level of responsibility
- Validate your experience
- Have your skills recognized
- Obtain a qualification level that allows you to access advanced training or apply for a competitive exam
- Find a job or change jobs
- Advance professionally
- Build your self-confidence
Information, Advice, and Guidance
- Learn about the principles of VAE, how it is implemented, and how it is funded
- Consult the National Directory of Professional Certifications on the France Compétences website
- Identify the certification(s) that may correspond to your experience
- Determine which certifying bodies are available and request information about the certifications and the VAE process
- Obtain the eligibility application form from the certifying body
Admissibility Dossier – Booklet 1
- Prepare the eligibility application for the VAE, Booklet 1 (document provided by the Certifying Body)
- Verify the eligibility requirements for the process
A special committee will meet to review the eligibility of your application. You will be notified of the committee’s decision within one month of the date your application is received.
The candidate may choose whether or not to seek assistance in preparing their eligibility application and is free to select their own VAE advisor.
Validation Portfolio – Booklet 2
If your application is deemed admissible, you can proceed to the stage of drafting the validation dossier:
- select the activities to be described
- Explain your experiences through a detailed description of the activities
- organize the dossier to highlight the skills demonstrated
The validation dossier and the supporting evidence provided will serve as the basis for awarding certification (partial or full).
Support is optional but strongly recommended, as it is key to the success of the VAE. Candidates are free to choose whether or not to seek support throughout the process and are also free to choose their own advisor.
Interview with the VAE Selection Committee
The interview with the VAE panel is intended to supplement and clarify the information contained in the validation dossier, Booklet 2. It is not an oral exam, but a way to provide a better understanding of the work actually performed.
The VAE panel evaluates the candidate’s professional competencies acquired through experience. It verifies that the competencies described by the candidate align with the standards of the professional certification or competency block.
Result
Following the interview with the VAE review panel, the panel issues an opinion on whether to approve the application and recommends whether or not the candidate should be granted certification. The possible outcomes are:
- Full validation: The committee recommends granting the certification in its entirety (the candidate’s competencies align with the requirements of the targeted certification).
- Partial validation: The committee recommends granting a portion of the certification (the candidate’s qualifications partially align with the certification’s requirements and allow the candidate to partially meet the certification’s objectives). The panel specifies which modules have been validated and issues recommendations for the validation of the remaining modules (training, professional experience, etc.).
- Rejection: The panel recommends rejection (the candidate’s competencies do not allow them to meet the objectives of the targeted certification).
Funding for the RPL
The Personal Training Account
The candidate may use their Personal Training Account (CPF) to fund: Assistance with putting together the feasibility report / The VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience) process, including preparation of the validation application / Additional training required for the certification project / Jury fees (if included in the estimate and paid by the supporting organization to the certifying body) <li>The post-jury interview, if applicable.</li>
Possible contributions depending on one's circumstances
There are several additional programs available, depending on the candidate’s profile: their employer / the OPCO / the Region / France Travail (if they are a job seeker)
Contact us
Our teams are here to answer any questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to contact us.