Formal education is just one of several ways of acquiring knowledge, with many individual skills acquired through other paths such as working in a profession, voluntary work, or leisure activities. At the same time, the labour market today is changing rapidly and new professions are emerging, for which individuals acquire knowledge on their own or while working in a company.
The system of national vocational qualifications (NVQ) allows an individual to obtain an official certificate, which formally verifies this non-formal knowledge. This allows quick adjustment to the situation on the labour market, as it is possible to create bases for the formal recognition of qualifications for new professions in a relatively short time.
The NVQ system also assists acquiring formal conditions for employment. Some companies have based their entire employment system and company internal recruitment on acquisition of a NVQ certificate. A highly qualified worker with inadequate education can be promoted by obtaining an appropriate NVQ certificate; such a certificate verifies professional skills in the event of changing employer.
Between 2003 and 2016, almost 85 000 certificates were awarded, of which about half were for regulated professions in road transport, construction and private security. In the last five years, the number of certificates increased in forestry activities, which is partially regulated. Other areas with many certificates awarded are agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, social services, and engineering and computer science.
Certificates awarded for some of the most popular NVQs from 2003 to 2015:
Name of the NVQ |
Number of certificates |
Security Officer |
8598 |
Building and plastering worker |
7776 |
Masseur |
2687 |
Tree feller |
2450 |
Caretaker at home |
2321 |
Forestry tractor driver |
1498 |
Concrete worker |
1492 |
Stockbreeder |
1330 |
Operator of transport of dangerous goods |
1221 |
Road maintenance worker |
1164 |
Beekeeper |
1050 |
Manufacturing process operator in the pharmaceutical Industry |
982 |
Make-up artist |
934 |
Maker of bread, cakes, pastries and pasta |
910 |
Real estate agent |
858 |
Security manager |
728 |
Accountant |
662 |
CNC operator |
636 |
Reflexologist |
589 |
Silviculture worker |
659 |
Source: http://www.nrpslo.org/
Currently there are nearly 300 catalogues of standards of professional knowledge and skills that form the basis for NVQ. Whether they meet needs depends on the current state of the labour market and on whether conditions for their implementation have been met (contractors-accredited institutions and members of the certification commission are available).
An overview of NVQ catalogues by sectors indicates that qualifications are developed and used where the labour market perceives or predicts a lack of supply. The certification system offers a flexible approach to acquiring new professional qualifications to follow the needs of the labour market and is much more responsive than the education system. Due to its potential for recognition and validation of professional experience and non-formal learning, it is also encouraging adults to engage in further education.