What do the procedure and content of validation instruments look like?

The validation instrument is the concrete elaboration of the tests, such as a practical test. They are developed on the basis of validation standards and the professional qualification(opens in new window).

The development of a validation instrument is the responsibility of the prospective validation body. An existing validation instrument may be used or an instrument may be developed by the prospective validation body.

There are Dutch templates (on this page in Dutch) that may assist in the development of a validation instrument. These templates for validation instruments were developed under the guidance of adult education pedagogical advisory services.

A validation body is free to use the templates. If the templates are used, they should be adapted to the specific situation: the content of the professional qualification, the approach to informing and supervising a VAC candidate, the role and attitude of the assessor, and so on. A validation body may add its own emphases in this regard.

Once the validation instrument has been developed, AHOVOKS will test it against a number of criteria that you can find in the checklist for testing validation instruments (in Dutch)(Word file opens in new window). There will be a verification as to whether the validation instrument corresponds to the professional qualification and to the validation standard.

The approval process differs depending on the situation:

• An adult education centre has developed its own validation instrument: AHOVOKS will notify the centre of the decision within 45 business days of receiving the application.
• An adult education centre has used an existing validation instrument: AHOVOKS will notify the centre of the decision within 15 business days of receiving the application.
• An organisation other than an adult education centre seeks approval: the Work policy area determines the procedure.

There are approved validation instruments for these professions:

• Carer (EVC-I-0026-1)
• Childcare worker for babies and toddlers (EVC-I-0007-1)
• Childcare worker for school-age children (EVC-I-0008-1 and EVC-I-0011-1)
• Corner seam welder (EVC-I-0015-1)
• Fast food employee (EVC-I-0010-1)
• Guide (EVC-I-0005-1)
• Household care assistant (EVC-I-0014-1)
• Landscaping and gardening employee (EVC-I-0006-1)
• Lifting truck driver (EVC-I-0004-1)
• Maintenance mechanic for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (EVC-I-0002-1)
• Meal voucher household assistant (EVC-I-0013-1)
• Meat process worker and deboner (EVC-I-0003-1)
• Mechanical woodworker (EVC-I-0012-1)
• Pipe welder (EVC-I-0017-1)
• Plate welder (EVC-I-0016-1)
• Reach truck driver (EVC-I-0001-1)

If you are a prospective validation body and want to review an existing validation instrument, you can request that access from AHOVOKS at evc@vlaanderen.be. Include both the name of the programme and the instrument number.