COMMON QUALITY ASSURANCE FRAMEWORK (CQAF) IN VET

The LEONARDO DA VINCI programme contributes to the implementation of a vocational training policy for the Community, which supports and supplements the actions of the Member States The EU Council has adopted a second phase of the Programme ( ) by Decision 1999/382/EC1. It aims to promote new practical approaches in V.T. policies.

The CQAF is designed: - To support the development and, where necessary, the reform of quality systems in VET in Member States, - To provide a common reference system and concrete reference tools to help Member States - To improve, monitor and evaluate policies and practices in the field of quality assurance.

The CQAF has four features: – A model – A method for assessment and review – A monitoring system – A measurement tool

The model comprises four interrelated elements: 1.Planning 2. Implementation 3. Evaluation and assessment 4. Review

Assessment and review: Self-assessment, combined with periodic external monitoring by an independent and appropriate third party body, has been considered as an appropriate method/tool to assess, ensure and develop the quality of VET systems and providers.

Monitoring systems: Mechanisms and procedures are to be identified as appropriate at national or regional level, as they are part of the regulation function in governance and can be as diverse as the national systems, sub-systems and institutions themselves.

Measurement: Of quality and its components on all levels is a key issue in quality management. The CQAF proposes a common set of indicators to measure and assess the quality of VET.