Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance, (QA), is a set of planned and systematic actions necessary to provide confidence that a product or service will satisfy requirements for quality.

VET is evolving in Europe to transcend national borders. With this in mind, efforts are centred on building an environment of mutual trust between member states, enterprises and VET organizations and systems. This is best achieved if everyone is aspiring to a basic common standard of quality. Establishing common QA systems will increase the transparency and efficiency of VET both within and between countries, giving citizens a greater level of mobility.

CQAF-VET: Common Quality Assurance Framework in VET http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/2010/doc/qualitynet/cqaf.pdf

A framework model, serving as a reference for the development and reform of quality systems in VET at national level. Describes basic principles, criteria and instruments that can be used when implementing QA systems in VET. Applicable both at systems level and for VET providers.

Set up by the Commission’s DG for Education and Culture in late 2002, by 2004 the TWG fulfilled its mandate to:

•	take stock of existing national and international standards and norms,

•	develop criteria for quality development and a coherent set of quality indicators,

•	propose a cooperation framework for review and development of QA systems in VET sector and

•	describe methods and instruments to support self evaluation and quality assurance.

Established in October 2005 by the European Commission, platform on which VET stakeholders can exchange views, build consensus, raise awareness and network. The network has the support of Member States, Candidate Countries, EFTA-EEA countries and the Social Partners. The Network's overall aim is to give appropriate follow-up to the Council conclusions of May and October 2004, and in particular by,

•	Promoting the use of the Common Quality Assurance Framework on a voluntary basis

•	Fostering cooperative, inclusive and voluntary networks, at all levels

It acts as an 'umbrella' for various initiatives reflecting the priorities, needs and concerns of a wide range of stakeholders at systems and providers levels. It allows for connecting developments at both national and European levels and brings sustainability to the process of European co-operation in the field of quality assurance in VET.

Currently, 22 countries participate, together with representatives from both groups of European Social Partners. The list of members remains open enabling possible nomination of members from countries which are not yet represented.

The Network defines the 'principles and governance guidelines that underpin its functioning which can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/2010/doc/qualitynet/principle.pdf

The ENQA-VET has a biennial based work programme which is agreed by the network's General Assembly. To view, visit: http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/2010/doc/qualitynet/wp.pdf

The EQF, adopted by the EP and Council in April 2008 links countries’ qualification systems together and translates them to increase readability. It consists of 8 common reference levels or “learning outcomes.” It enables comparison between national qualifications, prevents repeat learning after moving to another country, and encourages Lifelong Learning. Because it allows VET providers to compare the profile and content of their own offers with those of other providers, EQF is an important precondition for Quality Assurance in education and training. Equally, the decision at national and sectoral level to use the EQF must be based on a commitment to Quality Assurance. The implementation of the EQF must therefore take into account the conclusions on Quality Assurance in vocational education and training adopted by the Council on 28 May 2004 and Recommendation 2006/143/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 February 2006 on further European cooperation in Quality Assurance in higher education.

A European system of capitalisation and transfer of credits for VET which links in with EQF. ECVET facilitates the mobility of learners by enabling the attesting and recording of ‘learning outcomes’, whether these are achieved at home or abroad, for the individual engaged in a ‘learning pathway’ to a qualification. It interfaces with national systems for credit accumulation and transfer. Part of the creation of a European area for VET, ECVET both requires and promotes the transparency of Quality Assurance procedures. For a mobility action within an individual’s learning pathway to be recognised as a valid part of his or her training, the training providers in the host and home countries must accept the status of the other as a competent provider. The existence of Quality Assurance procedures in each institution helps to build this mutual trust, thus allowing providers to agree on the comparability of qualifications gained, using EQF as a reference, for the purpose of credit transfer.

EVTA has participated in meetings with the Committee of Regions, EDUC experts and gave comments on the Recommendation of the EP and Council on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework - VET and ECVET. These comments were incorporated into the global opinion of the Committee of Regions.

•	Most Member States are currently developing their National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF’s) to link into the EQF.

•	ECVET and EQAF should ideally be implemented along with frameworks and guidelines for the administration of these schemes.

•	Relevant qualifications and related “Europass” documents issued by national or regional authorities can be accompanied by clear information related to the use of ECVET.

•	ENQA-VET can be promoted as a means of helping VET stakeholders in all European countries work together.

•	VET centres are accredited as a first step towards linking QA systems to the needs of the local labour market.

•	Contacts are established with the national institutions which are in charge of VET and members of the European Network for QA. These contacts can be used to support platforms which host certification and quality.

•	In order to potentially influence the policy making process, members could prepare comments on and reactions to the Recommendation of the EP and Council on the establishment of a European QA Framework for VET: http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/educ/ecvet/com180_en.pdf

Two international conferences in relation to quality assurance will be organised over the two year duration of the project. These conferences will explore the development of a Quality Assurance culture and continuous improvement across the European Union and other participating countries, identifying means of building capacity within systems and providers and working towards improving the status and attractiveness of vocational education and training in Europe.

6th International Congress of Quality Management in Education and Training Systems

AMAQUEN and UNEVOC Centres in Morocco are organising the 6th International Congress of Quality Management in Education and Training Systems (cimqusef 2008).

Topic of the congress: "Design and Evaluation of Quality TVET Programmes with Reference to Sustainable Development”