<strong>RECOGNITION, VALIDATION AND CERTIFICATION OF COMPETENCES. THE PERCEPTIONS OF A GROUP OF HOSPITALAR PROFESSIONALS</stront>

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse perceptions of hospital professionals in relation to Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competences (RVCC), and whether this process differs from regular education, in favour of a new way to face the citizenship and the adult academic progression. After contextualizing the RVCC process, an empirical study was developed, focused in the analysis of the interviews of ten adult participants (aged between 41 and 60 years old) in the RVCC in the Hospital Distrital of Faro (Portugal). Participants that attended the course increased their literacy levels and obtained the 9th grade certificate. Interview analyses indicated that the participants referred as the model’s advantages a better accessibility and flexibility when compared to the regular education system. It was also appointed as an advantage the fact that this model is more individualized and also, that it values personal competences and participants’ life experiences. This study seems to contribute to a systemic understanding of learning and of individuals’ participation. Therefore, learning, in all life contexts, is a main requirement for an effective participation in all individual and social spheres of citizenship, but in itself, participation is a life learning.