ECVET WORKSHOP 2 22/23/24 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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.

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework

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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework Implementation phase  indicative descriptors at System level  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  indicative descriptors at providers’ level 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework Assessment and evaluation phase  indicative descriptors at System level  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  indicative descriptors at providers’ level 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework Review phase  indicative descriptors at System level 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  indicative descriptors at providers’ level 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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, 10 Review Purpose And plan Implementation Assessment and evaluation Feedback and procedures for Change

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework Phase 2: Implementation Indicator 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework Phase 3: Assessment and evaluation Indicator 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework

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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework 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

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework Quality is never an accident! Thank you