ABSTRACT
This chapter explore in detail the ways in which the assessment and accreditation of prior and current experiential learning (APEL) was being practised in higher education, further education, community and voluntary provision, training organisations and employment, in provision for the unemployed, youth training schemes, and for updating and retraining. The publication of Curriculum Opportunity in May 1983 brought unexpected, unintended dividends. The education correspondent of The Times misread or misunderstood the press release issued by the Further Education Unit and wrote a piece which included the implication that universities did little to admit older students without the customary education qualifications. Rita Austin had done a research project on the sandwich courses, the most significant issue of which was this. It is difficult to overestimate the significance of Making Experience Count (MEC), because it worked. Apart from the last possibility of gaining academic credit towards a degree, MEC students have used all the other exit routes.
