Motivations and impacts of the process of recognition, validation and certification of competences (rvcc) in adult education: empirical evidence from a qualifica centre

Introduction: Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competences (RVCC) constitute a central instrument within Portuguese adult education policy, embedded in lifelong learning strategies. Objective: This study analyses adults’ perceptions of the RVCC process at a Qualifica Centre in inland Portugal, examining the relationships among motivations, satisfaction, perceived professional impacts, and sociodemographic variables. Methods: A quantitative exploratory study was conducted with 56 adults who attended the RVCC process at the NERBA Qualifica Centre between 2020 and 2023. Data were collected through a structured digital questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive and inferential techniques, namely independent-samples t-tests, Pearson’s chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, Spearman’s rank-order correlation and Kruskal–Wallis tests, adopting a significance level of 5%. Results: High levels of satisfaction regarding expectation fulfilment were observed. No statistically significant differences were identified according to gender or initial educational level. Age showed a positive association with satisfaction, with younger participants more likely to report employment change as an initial motivation. An association was also observed between employment-oriented motivation and the occurrence of professional change. Conclusion: The findings reinforce the inclusive role of the RVCC process in adult qualification and personal recognition, highlighting its potential to support lifelong learning and promote opportunities for professional development.