ECVET WORKSHOP 2 22/23/24 November 2010. The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework

ECVET WORKSHOP 222/23/24 November 2010

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework


A reference instrument to help Member States to promote

and monitor continuous improvement of their Vocational

Education and Training (VET) systems, based on European

common references.

The Framework should contribute to:

quality improvement in VET;

building mutual trust in national VET systems;

promote a borderless European lifelong learning area


MILESTONES (1)

Barcelona European Council - March 2002 –sets as objective to

make European VET systems a world quality reference by 2010

Copenhagen Declaration – November 2002 – calls for enhanced

cooperation in VET quality assurance

Establishment of a Common Quality Assurance Framework for

VET (CQAF) – 2003 – common principles, guidelines and tools

Council approves conclusions on Quality Assurance in VET – May

2004


MILESTONES (2)

Helsinki Communiqué – December 2006 –strengthening

cooperation on quality improvement in VET

Development of the European Quality Assurance Reference

Framework for VET (EQARF) – 2008 – common principles,

quality criteria, indicative descriptors and quality indicators

Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the

Council on the establishment of a European Quality

Assurance Reference Framework for Vocational Education

and Training - 18 June 2009


includes the need for regular monitoring (involving internal and external evaluation mechanisms) and reporting on progress;

uses common quality criteria and indicative descriptors to underpin the monitoring and reporting arrangements;

stresses the importance of common indicators to support the evaluation, monitoring and quality assurance of VET systems and providers; imcludes a set of 10 indicators which may be used as a “tool box” by countries as they work on adapting and developing their VET systems. The indicators are not designed for benchmarking but rather to support a culture of quality assurance in VET.




Quality criteria and indicative descriptors – example

Planning phase

indicative descriptors at System level

Goals/objectives of VET are described for the medium and long terms, and linked to European goals

The relevant stakeholders participate in setting VET goals and objectives at the different levels

indicative descriptors at providers’ level

o Explicit goals/objectives and targets are set and monitored

o There is an early involvement of staff in planning, including with regard to quality development


Implementation phase


Implementation plans are established in cooperation with social partners, VET providers and other relevant stakeholders at the different levels

Implementation plans include consideration of the resources required, the capacity of the users and the tools and guidelines needed for support


o Resources are appropriately internally aligned/ assigned with a view to achieving the targets set in the implementation plans

o Relevant and inclusive partnerships are explicitly supported to implement the actions planned


Assessment and evaluation phase


A methodology for evaluation has been devised, covering internal and external evaluation

Stakeholder involvement in the monitoring and evaluation process is agreed and clearly describe


o Self-assessment/self-evaluation is periodically carried out under national and regional regulations/frameworks or at the initiative of VET providers

o Evaluation and review covers processes and results/outcomes of education including the assessment of learner satisfaction as well as staff performance and satisfaction


Review phase


o Procedures, mechanisms and instruments for undertaking reviews are defined at all levels

o Processes are regularly reviewed and action plans for change devised. Systems are adjusted accordingly


o Learners’ feedback is gathered on their individual learning experience and on the learning and teaching environment.

o Together with teachers’ feedback this is used to inform further actions

o Information on the outcomes of the review is widely and publicly available


Methodology

Indicator 1, 2 Define goals and objectives

Indicator

3, 7, 8 Coherent with goals

Indicator 4, 5, 6 Collection and processing data; discuss

results

Indicator 9, 10Review

Purpose And plan

Implementation

Assessment and evaluation

Feedback andprocedures for

Change


Set of indicators (I)

Phase 1: Planning

Indicator No 1 - Relevance of quality assurance systems for VET providers:

(a) share of VET providers applying internal quality assurance systems defined by law/at own initiative

(b) share of accredited VET providers

Indicator No 2 - Investment in training of teachers and trainers

(a) share of teachers and trainers participating in further training

(b) amount of funds invested


Phase 2: ImplementationIndicator No 3

Participation rate in VET programmes - Number of participants in VET programmes , according to the type of programme and the individual criteria

Indicator No 7:

Unemployment rate according to individual criteria

Indicator No 8

Prevalence of vulnerable groups - percentage of participants in VET classified as disadvantaged groupe

a) participation rate

b) success rate


Phase 3: Assessment and evaluationIndicator 4:

Completion rate in VET programmes - Number of persons having successfully completed/abandoned VET programmes, according to the type of programme and the individual criteria

Indicator No 5:

Placement rate in VET programmes –

a) destination of VET learners at a designated point in time after completion of training, according to the type of programme and the individual criteria

b) share of employed learners at a designated point in time after completion of training, according to the type of programme and the individual criteria


Phase 3: Assessment and evaluation

Indicator No 6:

Utilisation of acquired skills at the workplace –

a) information on occupation obtained by individuals after completion of training, according to type of training and individual criteria

b) satisfaction rate of individuals and employers with acquired skills/competences


Phase 4 : Review – procedures for changes

Indicator No 9

Mechanism to identify training needs in the labour market –

information on mechanisms set up to identify changing demands at different levels

evidence of their effectiveness

Indicator No 10

Schemes to promote better access to VET –

information on existing schemes at different levels

evidence of their effectiveness


Recommendation to MS

1. Use and further develop EQARF

2. Devise a national approach for implementing EQARF

(2010)

3. Participate in the EQA-VET network

4. Designate a Quality Assurance National Reference Point

5. Undertake a review of the implementation process every

four years


EQAVET NETWORK

EQAVET NETWORK - a community of practice bringing together Member States, Social Partners and the European Commission to promote European collaboration in developing and improving quality assurance in VET by using the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework

The main activities of the EQAVET NETWORK :

Working Groups:

Guidelines for implementing the Framework

Indicators

Discussion/Reflection Seminars;

Annual Forums


Quality Assurance National Reference Points

bring together existing relevant bodies and involves the social partners and all stakeholders concerned at national and regional levels, in order to ensure the follow-up of initiatives

are linked to the particular structures, practices and requirements of each Member State



Situation in Member States

19 QANRPs set up

all Member States represented in EQAVET; some already have more formalised QA policies

Austria: QIBB

Finland: Quality management recommendation

for VET

Romania: National QA Framework for VET


Roadmap

• By 18 June 2011 – MS devise an approach aimed at improving quality assurance systems at national level involving the social partners, regional and local authorities, and all other relevant stakeholders in accordance with national legislation and practice

By 18 June 2013: MS first report on the implementation progress - to be incorporated into every second national progress report drawn up within the context of the future strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training

every four years: EC ensure follow-up to the implementation of this recommendation by presenting a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the experience gained and implications for the future, including, if necessary, a review of this recommendation


Quality is never an accident!

Thank you

Documents

ECVET WORKSHOP 2 22/23/24 November 2010. The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework