NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Ex-post evaluation of HRD OP measure „Contentwise, methodological and structural development of vocational education” submeasure: Setting up Regionally Integrated Vocatinal Training Centers (RIVTC) Expanzio Consulting Ltd. Dr. Setényi János

The background of evaluation Framework contract on evaluation with the National Development Agency Fast-track offer and contract with NDA on the evaluation of RIVTC in the October of 2009 Evaluation work and preliminary consultations

What are the regionally integrated vocational training centers?

Goals and motivations behind the RIVTC- policy Concentrating the previously atomized and expensive training capacities – consortia of schools, HEIs and local governments Providing modern practical training on the basis of brand new infrastructure Integrating HRD and ERD resources into regional development Missing: increasing the control of economy over vocational education

The evaluation task Strategic evaluation (ex-post) on the outcomes and sustainability of RIVTC development programme ( ) Document analysis (mid-term reports), data analysis (EMIR on-line system) and field work (interviews and visits)

Some evaluation questions Were the defined goals and outcomes reached by the implementors? What organizational development was achieved by the 16 RIVTCs? How efficiently are used the practical training centers? How efficiently are used the new capacities of the training centers? What are the impacts of the new training centers on the quality of practical training of students? What kind of positions were gained by the new training centers in the regional market of adult education? How did the cooperation of training centers and HEIs change in the course of the implementation?

Scope and methods Data survey and document analysis Survey (approached 16 RIVTCs, only 9 answered) Interviews (with 33 project managers and teachers plus 2 programme designers) Four evaluation questions can’t be answered in an obvious way

Outcomes The most fundamental goals were achieved: Modern centers of practical training were built – but the old capacities partly survived in the schools, RIVTCs were particularly successful to create additional services for students like career orientation, personal guidance and development, additional trainings and social services – but these services were only covered by the project budgets, Modern student registration and school management systems were created – but the actual decision-making power remained at the school level.

Half way there?

The main conclusion: a measure without a character As a system-building venture the measure has created additional and poorly integrated training capacities; As a policy-reform the measure was not accompanied by supporting legislation and regulation; As an innovation, the measure was too large and expensive.

Recommended conditions of a sustainable system of RIVTCs: national level New funding system which can push through the rationalization of schools and the central position of RIVTCs in the consortia. Urgent inclusion of the corporate sector into the RIVTC consortia Rigorous separation of secondary general education (schools) and vocational training, the latter should be concentrated in the training centers Independent vocational examination of students (regional examination centers)