RPL Implementation: Experiences and Opportunities for Development

VÕTA (Recognition of Prior Learning and Work Experience, RPL) makes it possible to recognise prior studies, continuing education, self-directed learning and work experience, but in practice it is mainly used for the transfer of formal studies.

The aim of the study was to obtain an overview of students’ awareness of VÕTA; the attitudes of different stakeholders towards VÕTA; the profiles of VÕTA users and non-users; users’ experiences; the reasons for using or not using VÕTA in formal education and in applying for professional qualifications; and areas for improving VÕTA.

The results of the study showed that the system for the recognition of prior learning and work experience (VÕTA) is widely known in Estonia, but its implementation is inconsistent and underused, considering its potential to support lifelong learning. The share of VÕTA users has remained stable in recent years: about 8% of students in higher education and 7% in vocational education apply for VÕTA. For students, the main purpose of using VÕTA is to reduce study load or shorten the duration of studies and to avoid repeating knowledge already acquired.

To encourage broader use of VÕTA, it is necessary to increase awareness of the system’s possibilities among students, counsellors and assessors, and to ensure uniform, clear and easily understandable guidelines for implementing the process. It is important to make the VÕTA system more student-centred by providing clearer information, a simpler and more transparent application process, and ensuring that it is accessible in a consistent and user-centred way at all levels of education.