The ‘Analytisch Diagnostisch Centrum’ (ADC) is a medical laboratory executing medical analysis for the health services of the 5 islands of the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean. ADC employs 150 people, most of them analysts at secondary vocational or higher education level.  Twelve analysts with many years of work experience at ADC, who followed laboratory education in the past, for various reasons never obtained a formal diploma. Now that ADC is preparing for ISO accreditation it wants all their staff to have a diploma as formal proof of being qualified for their work in the laboratory.

A Validation of Prior Learning (VPL) procedure seemed appropriate to map the knowledge, skills and competences already achieved because of the extensive laboratory work experience of the twelve analysts. ADC sought assistance from VAPRO, a recognised VPL provider in the Netherlands, to organise a VPL procedure for the twelve analysts on location at ADC. Part of the VPL is an assessment which was executed in two parts by two clinical chemists of a hospital in the Netherlands. Skills, and theoretical knowledge directly related to skills, were assessed in a practical assessment executed in the laboratories. Theoretical backgrounds, concepts and principles were assessed in a theoretical assessment.

Each candidate received a VPL certificate with a record of the results of the VPL procedure and an advise for further training. The results were positive, both for the candidates personally and for ADC as organisation. All 12 analysts will be able to obtain a formal diploma by means of a short course to catch up lacking knowledge and skills. Most candidates are advised to obtain a diploma at Dutch vocational education level 4. Two candidates are advised to obtain a diploma at level 3.

Together with ADC, VAPRO will now develop tailor made training courses for the 12 analysts in order to obtain the required diploma’s. The training courses will be executed in-house and for partly in the practice of the laboratory. The estimated duration of the training courses is between 3 and 7 months.