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  1. Overview
  2. Development areas
  3. Skills supply
  4. Validation
  5. The region's role in validation
  6. From EU to region – the validation governance structure in Norrbotten

From EU to region – the validation governance structure in Norrbotten

European Council Recommendation on the validation of non-formal and informal learning (2012/C 398/01)

Decision that Member States should have established systems providing access to validation of non-formal and informal learning by 2018.

Act (2010:630) on Regional Development Responsibility

The regions must establish goals and priorities for regional skills supply work, and make assessments of the county's skills needs in the public and private sectors in the short and long term.

National strategy for sustainable regional development throughout the country 2021–2030 (Skr. 2020/21:133)

The benefit of validation at the regional level becomes clear when it is linked to regional skills supply work, and government agencies can, in collaboration with regions, municipalities and the business community, drive, coordinate, support and increase knowledge among various regional actors when it comes to validation.

Regional development strategy

Goals and initiatives linked to the development and use of validation.
“Validation makes individuals’ experiences and skills visible. It can shorten the training period and facilitate the path to work or a career change. Through equal career opportunities, both the labor market and individual development are strengthened.”

Validation Norrbotten (strategic level)

At the strategic level, Region Norrbotten, in its role as RUA, leads the overall work to create long-term and sustainable conditions. The focus is on ensuring that employers are able to recruit the right skills and that individuals are given better opportunities to establish themselves and move around the labor market.  

A central task is to ensure a clear connection between the national, regional and local levels. Validation should be an integrated part of steering documents, networks, calls for proposals and development efforts. The work needs to be demand-driven, based on identified needs in the regional skills supply work and particularly address shortage occupations. At the same time, a broadening towards more professional areas is required, for example within theoretical courses and more male-dominated occupations.  

Validation Norrbotten functions as a knowledge node and a coordinating support structure. RUA has an active role in disseminating knowledge, promoting the use of validation as a strategic tool and identifying new opportunities.  

Main areas of focus:  

  1. Support function – develop steering documents, action plans, goals and priorities. 

  2. Capacity building – initiate and influence calls for proposals, finance projects, act as project owners and implement skills-enhancing initiatives with expert support.  

  1. Networking and influence – participate in relevant networks, make validation visible in strategic discussions and create synergies between initiatives.  

  1. Monitoring the environment and collaboration – following national trends, highlighting good examples and promoting the exchange of experiences.  

  1. Facilitating role – coordinating efforts between working life and the education sector, contributing to synergies and avoiding overlapping initiatives.

Regional development arena for validation (operational level)

At the operational level, the strategic direction is translated into practical action. Here, efforts are carried out in project form, with funding from Region Norrbotten or other actors. The arena format allows for flexibility and breadth, as different actors can act as project owners.  

A clear example of this is the efforts that have been carried out since 2018 to strengthen Komvux. These projects demonstrate the possibilities of developing and adapting validation for different target groups and forms of education. 

Going forward, there is potential to develop similar initiatives in higher education, vocational colleges, folk high schools and industry-specific areas. The operational arena thus serves as a platform for testing, developing and scaling up validation solutions in collaboration with various actors. This strengthens both the individual's opportunities and the labor market's skills supply. 

The region's mission: To make visible and strengthen the importance of validation

One of the most important tasks at the regional level is to help create demand for validation. This means making its value, benefits and uses visible in the supply of skills. The role of the region can be described through four complementary functions:  

  • Validation-integrating role – to promote a systematic approach where existing competencies are identified before new training interventions are planned. 
  • Knowledge dissemination role – to increase understanding of the practical benefits of validation and show paths to relevant information and support. 
  • Coordinating and experience-sharing role – to create an overview of ongoing efforts, connect actors and strengthen collaboration between education and working life. 
  • Driving role – to initiate and support concrete initiatives that translate mapped competence into training and matching with labor market needs.