Ajouter aux favoris(Communication in the Conference on Educational Research (ECER), Geneva, Switzerland, 6-10 September, 2021)The validation of acquired experiences (VAE) of non-formal and informal learning outcomes constitutes alongside initial and continuing vocational education and training systems, the third pathway of access to vocational qualification certifications in France. It is connected to the national qualification framework and its directory RNCP (the national repertory of vocational qualifications) by allowing the VAE candidates to have access to the same qualifications accessible through the formal VET learning tracks. As it is practised at present, it allows any individual accumulating prior working experiences of at least one year in any type of activity connected with the domain of the targeted qualification, to apply for the validation of its required units/blocs of competences without undertaking any formal learning within the initial or continuing formal learning systems. The accreditation of the required units for the targeted qualification can be either partial or complete with an immediate award of the certification. In this context, this paper is an investigation into the background developments, the functioning mechanisms, performance and role of the validation of acquired experiential learning in VET and the whole educational and training system in France. Lire la suite