For the university, the massification of VAE creates many problems

In 2022, VAE (validation of acquired experience) provided more opportunities 30,000 people are experienced in full or partial certification of diplomasprofessional title or opportunity to get higher education.

While this system, established at the university in 2002, has just celebrated its 20th anniversary, the Labor Market Law of December 21, 2022 simplifies and modernizes VAE to make it more attractive. So it defines Until now, universal access to VAE has been limited to working people.

The government’s goal through this reform “Massify” VAE from 30,000 annual courses to 100,000 by the end of the five-year period. A real growth opportunity for continuing education services in higher education. However, until the implementation of future decrees, a number of questions remain unanswered.

The “Labor market” law also envisages the creation of a public VAE service. He will receive a public interest group (GIP) and form from the platform Its mission will be to support and guide people who seek validation of their experiences.

A future platform where candidates can apply for VAE is eagerly awaited by those responsible for continuing education services in higher education. “This will allow professional experience both to identify the degree you can imagine obtaining at VAE and to confirm their eligibility for VAE, explains Yannick Vigignol, Head of Continuing Education and Professionalization at the University of Clermont-Auvergne. Given the large number of diplomas in France, this stage is often long and complicated. It is also difficult to find a diploma that matches the candidates’ experience.”

So when will this platform launch? “It seems difficult to me a year ago”, believes Yannick Vigignol. Future executive orders should also define how to organize the public interest group.

State, regions, collaborators, skills operators (OPCO), Transition pro associations that finance VAE will rightfully participate. But universities also want to participate. “We ask to be a part of it other public legal entities that can join this public VAE service”, says Audrey Sauvêtre, administrator of the Continuing Education at the University (FCU) network responsible for VAE issues.

“The government should define the missions of architects as soon as possible, also asks Audrey Sauvêtre for FCU. Our design engineers and VAE consultants are concerned about their future mission and future.”

Because the new VAE formula really defines a new actor type. The course architects will be responsible for studying the needs of the candidates and to offer them ways to combine validation of acquired experience and continuing education activities.

“It’s interesting in principle,” says Yannick Vigignol. Implementation of architecture courses will simplify procedures for candidates. And then, as a VAE operator, we will be able to collect candidates who identify the degree they can validate. But who can be a course architect and how will it work? The government has not clarified this yet.”

LThe principle of neutrality necessary for orientation is not necessarily respected when there is a training operator who gives advice. (Y. Vigignol, University of Clermont-Auvergne)

Currently, professional development counselors who benefit from national and regional accreditation aim to advise job seekers or active wage earners. But training or VAE operators sometimes also provide professional development advice. Yannick Vigignol says: “Many university colleagues want to become course architects. Universities already have this expertise in-house through guidance services.”

However, it also states that it is “for personal use”: “The principle of neutrality necessary for orientation is not necessarily respected when there is a training operator who gives advice. For example, if someone comes to see us at a university for a master’s degree in digital marketing, we will first “sell” them a master’s degree from IAE and not show them a master’s degree from a nearby business school. !”

Faced with the government’s goal of tripling the number of people in the UAE by 2027, will universities be able to hold on to market share? Yannick Vigignol, doubt: “Universities make up 10-12% of UAE. It seems difficult to maintain this market share with a three times larger base.”

He is also interested Profile of people who will apply to VAE : “will universities have three times the public population? Will VAE growth be primarily in the infra-baccalaureate community in care professions such as cleaning?”

Knowing this, it will be easier to implement VAE automation for these jobs in tension because diplomas are already written in skill blocks, especially the names of the Ministry of Labor. Rather, a question for the university resources already available to support three times as many people. “This will have significant organizational implications. We will have to find time to support people and mobilize our teachers,” notes the head of continuing education at the University of Clermont-Auvergne.

Despite everything, those responsible for continuing education in higher education say they are ready to take on the challenge the government has set for them. “We want to support more people in vocational training, this is our DNA and our mission. We are in favor of increasing the number of VAEs”It assures Audrey Sauvêtre for FCU.

“With the logic of skill blocks, we will have more and more hybridization of courses in the university,” Yannick Vigignol predicts. “Today, when a candidate comes to confirm their skills, we offer them either VAE or full-time education. However, a university degree takes time, which is not always compatible with an active life, life with a family.”

We want to support more people in vocational training, this is our DNA and our mission. (A. Sauvêtre, FCU)

“With tomorrow’s VAE system based on skill blocks and the decline of national university diplomas with the same system, we will be able to offer hybrid courses more widely“, he thinks.

So, for a candidate seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree, it will be possible to have a recognized block of skills by validating one’s experience. And for the missing skill blocks, the university can offer a personalized training program. With more flexibility in modalities: course to be followed online or face-to-face for a year or more depending on the candidate.