Course of a programme at an approved validation body
During the first interview, everything was explained very clearly. The process itself was very quick. Through VAC, I was able to fulfill my dream of working as a childcare worker. I'm glad of that every day.
Starting a validation programme begins with finding a suitable validation body. The Register for vocational qualification programmes (in Dutch)(opens in new window) will help you do just that.
The cost is 130 euros for a professional qualification, 104 euros for a partial qualification and 65 euros for certain disadvantaged groups. The sums are index-adjusted every year.
You should allow for a few weeks from the intake interview to the official recognition for the validation programme lead time. The validation body can give you more specific information on this. For the duration of the tests themselves, it is best to consult the information on the professions.
A validation programme consists of three steps:
- Stap 1
1. Have a conversation
Prepare for the conversation
Identify your experience. What professional experience do you already have, what experience did you gain through a hobby or volunteer work? What training or courses have you already taken?
Go through the information about the professions and find out what competencies you already possess.
A portfolio allows you to visualise and illustrate your competencies. You document what you know and can do and how you acquired the competencies. You do so by gathering evidence that demonstrates which competencies you have mastered. Examples of evidence include qualifications, certificates, certificates of participation, photographs and workpieces. Most validation bodies (in Dutch)(opens in new window) have their own portfolio. Contact them for more information.
Discuss your experience and competencies
The validation body will review your experience with you and the competencies needed to enter the profession. They also give you some information about the tests and the course of the validation programme.
- Stap 2
Take a test
The tests are taken at a validation body (in Dutch)(opens in new window). The content of the tests is determined based on what is in the professional qualification(opens in new window). A professional qualification is an official description of what you must know and be able to do in order to practise a profession. You will find a concise description with the information on professions. A range of tests are possible, such as written knowledge tests, oral knowledge tests, practical tests, role-plays, interviews based on the portfolio, etc. The validation body will decide whether or not you have passed.
- Stap 3
Get a qualification certificate
A successfully completed programme will earn one of these certificates of qualification:
- Proof of professional qualification: you have obtained the entire professional qualification.
- Proof of competencies: you have achieved a number of (separate) competencies from the professional qualification.
- Proof of partial qualification: you have obtained a (coherent) part of professional qualification.
All the proofs are officially recognised by the Flemish government.
A qualification certificate is not the same as a qualification. Both are officially recognised as proof of what you already know and can do. The designation is different because, with a qualification, you have also passed a general education element that consists of language, mathematics, etc. With a qualification certificate, this is not the case.
