In this article, we examine the vertical influence of the European Union (EU) policy on recognition of prior learning (RPL) in one Southern European country (Portugal) and in a Central European one (Slovenia). We stress the influence of the EU policy on adult education (AE) policies and the development of RPL granting professional qualification. Although not widely acknowledged in adult education theoretical discussions, we use the RPL models introduced by Judy Harris to debate the main aims of core official RPL national policy documents from 2000 to 2018 using documentary analysis. Comparative analysis of the two countries is made, and similarities and differences between the RPL provisions are debated. Our findings indicate the relevance of the utilitarian approach to RPL within national policies. Furthermore, these findings allow us to question why employers give little attention to adult learners’ qualification acquired through RPL.

中文翻译：

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功利主义承认先前学习的悖论

在本文中，我们研究了欧盟 (EU) 政策对南欧国家（葡萄牙）和中欧国家（斯洛文尼亚）承认先前学习 (RPL) 的纵向影响。我们强调欧盟政策对成人教育 (AE) 政策的影响以及 RPL 授予专业资格的发展。尽管在成人教育理论讨论中并未得到广泛认可，但我们使用 Judy Harris 引入的 RPL 模型，通过文献分析来辩论 2000 年至 2018 年核心官方 RPL 国家政策文件的主要目标。对两国进行了比较分析，并对 RPL 条款之间的异同进行了辩论。我们的研究结果表明，在国家政策中，实用主义方法对 RPL 的相关性。此外，