The Government will take the initiative to provide better access to having all forms of prior learning assessed and recognised within the education system.

This Government initiative will be implemented by:

• Introducing better opportunities for recognising prior learning within the education system, where such provisions do not already exist. The improvement is to be implemented gradually, starting in the adult education and vocational training area taking effect from 1 August 2006. Legal amendments are not generally required, only within a few areas, such as the introduction of a joint concept for individual competence assessment across the areas of adult vocational training (AMU) and Basic Adult Education (GVU).
• Preparing action plans for the improvement within the individual areas of education before 1 January 2006.
• Initiating development work at educational institutions with a view to developing methods and principles etc. ensuring reliability and quality.
• Developing tools that support documentation of prior learning. The Ministry of Education will take this initiative in cooperation with the social partners and stakeholders from the liberal adult education sector, voluntary organisations etc.

At the same time, the Government will take the initiative to:

• Ensure that information and guidance on the recognition of prior learning will form part of the guidance system and be included in the work undertaken by the tripartite committee on lifelong skills enhancement and education and training for all on the labour market, which the Government has appointed.
• Provide information and advice initiatives for citizens and companies and access to IT supported information on the new guidance portal 'The Education Guide'.