Displaying the background of quality assurance and accreditation in the EU - Best practices in the field of Technical and Vocational Training Cairo 16 june 2010 Giorgio Allulli - Isfol Coordinator Italian QA Reference Point Member of the steering group EQAVET

Two objectives for Europe Three instruments for VET 1.To realize the most competitive knowledge based economy (Lisbon Strategy ) 2.Making Europe’s education and training systems a world quality reference (Barcelona Council – 2002) Developing (Copenhagen 2002):  A single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (EQF)  A system of credit transfer in VET (ECVET)  A framework for quality assurance in VET (EQARF)

The Recommendation for the establishment of a QA framework (EQARF) The Recommendation invites Member States to: 1. Use and further develop the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework, quality criteria, indicative descriptors and reference indicators to improve Vet systems 2. Devise an approach aimed at improving quality assurance systems at national level 3. Participate actively in the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework Network 4. Establish a Quality Assurance National Reference Point for VET 5. Undertake a review of the implementation process every 4 years.

The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework (EQARF) is a systematic framework which includes: a quality assurance and improvement cycle of planning, implementation, evaluation and review of VET indicative descriptors indicators. The monitoring process includes a combination of internal and external evaluation mechanisms Reference Points should be established at national level

The Common Quality Assurance Framework (CQAF) Il processo continuo di miglioramento della qualità si basa sui seguenti elementi: la determinazione degli obiettivi da raggiungere e la loro pianificazione; la definizione dei mezzi e delle attività per ottenere i risultati previsti; il monitoraggio e la valutazione dei programmi, in termini di efficienza e di efficacia; La revisione degli obiettivi e delle attività alla luce dei risultati della valutazione, interna e esterna.

The Indicators 1.Relevance of quality assurance systems for VET providers 2.Investment in training of teachers and trainers 3.Participation rate in VET programmes 4.Completion rate in VET programmes 5.Placement rate in VET programmes 6.Utilisation of acquired skills at the workplace 7.Unemployment rate 8.Prevalence of vulnerable groups 9.Mechanisms to identify training needs in the labour market 10.Schemes used to promote better access to VET

The National Reference Points (QANRPs) National bodies which bring together existing relevant bodies and involve the social partners and all stakeholders to assure:  Effective dissemination of information on EQARF  Support to the European Programme  Development of concrete initiatives at national level  Support to self evaluation

The new Network EQAVET A cooperative platform for structured exchange of information and experience to support the introduction and implementation of quality assurance at national level The members are designated by:  Member states  EEA and acceding countries  Social partners.

How the Network works  An annual Forum, where all the Member States discuss the main issues and take the strategic decisions  A steering Committee, which monitors and facilitates the Network activities and membership  A Secretariat which takes the responsibility of organizing the activities  Two working groups, to discuss and deepen issues linked to Quality assurance  National Reference Points, that ensure follow-up of initiatives and dissemination of information at national level

The European developments at country level  Models and instruments for VET QA greatly vary in European Countries  Some countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway. Hungary and Romania) applied the European model or incorporated the EU model in their QA system  Other countries maintain their “historical” system for VET QA  Some countries developed specific initiatives but they still not have a system

Many different instruments for VET QA For IVET and CVET For Public and private providers At system level and provider level Some instruments  Self assessment (compulsory and not)  External assessment (for supporting or controlling)  Indicators (for benchmarking and for rewarding)  Accreditation/approval  Labelling  Certification  Users’ (Companies, Pupils etc.) satisfaction

National examples  In Ireland, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom the VET providers must have by law an internal quality assurance system (EFQM, Iso 9000, or a different model)  In Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom self-assessment is combined with external verification.  In many countries selfassessment has proven to be a useful and effective instrument in terms of quality assurance

The European trends  Increasing responsibilities on Vet providers (self assessment –internal QA procedures)  The role of the inspectorate is becoming more qualitative  Increased used of indicators and tests  External check on QA system and procedures  Large use of accreditation (mainly for private Vet providers)

Accreditation: what is it? A process of quality assurance through which accredited status is granted to a programme of education or training, showing it has been approved by the relevant legislative or professional authorities by having met predetermined standards (Cedefop) VET providers are compelled to meet a set of fixed minimum standards in order to be incorporated – at least for some time – in a VET system. This is particularly important for continuing vocational education and training (CVET) in which there was often little regulation and review of quality. Such initiatives may be taken both by public authorities, and by the CVET market itself, as a self-regulation mechanism

Accreditation in Europe Accreditation is present, following different models, in many countries of Europe, like: Ireland United Kingdom Italy Romania Portugal Germany Sweden

The procedure (1)  The accreditation body (the Ministry or on official agency) establishes the criteria and standards which have to be met by the VET provider to achieve a positive external assessment.  The criteria and standards for accreditation vary widely between different countries and according to the specific field of training. These requirements normally consist of certain input standards (qualification of personnel, availability of standard equipment, etc.) and/or process standards (curricular demands, levels of competences to be achieved, examination standards, etc.).

The procedure (2)  After the VET provider has submitted an application for accreditation to the relevant body, an external evaluation follows.  If the result of the evaluation is negative, accreditation will be denied and the VET provider will have to prepare and apply again after having improved its organisational structures and the quality of its training  Following a positive evaluation and proposal for accreditation, the VET provider will be awarded for delivering a certain programme (for as limited period of time). Accreditation can also results in a quality label

Germany Training providers must be certified by an accreditation agency (private) which is accredited by the national authorities. They have to prove:  their financial efficiency  their educational capacity  the capacity to support the integration of their trainees into employment;  the qualifications, professional experience and participation in further  training of teachers and trainers;  an efficient system for quality assurance and quality development including: –customer orientation; –continuous evaluation of training courses; –continuous improvement of training provision; –cooperation with external experts for quality development. Certification is always limited for a maximum period of three years. Every year a monitoring audit has to be carried out by the certification agency, focused on the VET provider quality management system.

Italy (1) The Italian accreditation system is compulsory for the Vet providers which want to be funded by the regional administrations It guarantees the respect of minimum quality levels of Vet providers through the definition of general criteria and indicators at national level. The indicators are implemented and further detailed at regional level according to the territorial features; for each indicator minimum thresholds are set. Criteria:  Management of the institutions  Financial situation  Quality of teaching and administrative staff  Efficiency and effectiveness of previous activities  Partnership at local level

Italy (2) Three typologies  Accreditation for initial training (until 18 years)  Accreditation for higher training (after 18 years)  Accreditation for continuous training A first check is made at regional level, based on the documentation sent by the providers. Those admitted are temporarily accredited To confirm the accreditation it is necessary a site visit performed by regional inspectors, which verify the existence of the requisites.

Ireland  all VET providers offering FETAC awards are required to have a quality assurance system agreed by FETAC.  FETAC validates programmes submitted by VET providers whose quality assurance procedures have been agreed  FETAC monitors and evaluates programmes along and after their delivery by providers

Sweden Accreditation consists of several steps:  formal approval of the course (each application is rated according to different criteria, with the existence of a provider internal quality management system being a precondition);  general quality inspection (after one year general quality inspection takes place which takes into consideration a self-evaluation report from the provider);  follow-up survey (a follow-up survey is carried out addressing students degree of satisfaction with the training, their employment situation after the course and the usefulness of the acquired skills at their workplace;  general quality revision (after four years of practice a general quality revision of the relevant course, its contents and curriculum is undertaken).

Conclusion  Accreditation is a powerful instrument to assure the quality of providers  Accreditation can be an instrument to assure confidence in the quality of an institution of the Vet system.

Displaying the background of quality assurance and accreditation in the EU - Best practices in the field of Technical and Vocational Training Cairo 16 june 2010 Giorgio Allulli - Isfol Coordinator Italian QA Reference Point Member of the steering group EQAVET