Cedefop has published a research paper on the relationship between guidance and validation. It discusses how coordination between career guidance and the validation of non-formal and informal learning can be improved.

The research paper explores how validation and guidance are linked in practice, how this connection can be made more effective and provides policy recommendations. The study is based on an analysis of 13 practices from 12 countries. It identifies three key factors, important in the successful coordination of guidance and validation:

• comprehensiveness: provision of adequate information and guidance before a decision to undergo validation is taken, throughout the entire validation process, as well as after it;
• coherence: use of common qualifications or competence standards, occupational standards or other reference frameworks in all stages of the identification, documentation and assessment of competences;
• the quality of staff resources and competences as well as tools used.

The report is available on the Cedefop website.