2. Alex Keys
Quality and Qualifications Ireland

3. Contents Introduction European influence on quality assurance
The Irish model of quality assurance
QQI’s Quality Assurance Guidelines for Apprenticeship

4. The Journey …

6. Fire Fighting …

7. Crossroads …

8. Collaboration …

9. European Context of Quality Apprenticeship
There is not a commonly agreed definition of apprenticeship1 in Europe;
Opinions vary on whether apprenticeships are based on employment contracts and whether apprenticeships are remunerated or not1
Ireland: has an agreed definition and a national approach to apprenticeship and understand what we mean by quality and quality assurance.
The term ‘quality assurance’ is used to describe the processes that seek to ensure that the learning environment and education and training providers can reach an acceptable threshold of quality. QA is also used to describe the enhancement of education provision and the standards attained by learners. UNESCO defines quality assurance (QA) as “…an ongoing, continuous process of evaluating (assessing, monitoring, guaranteeing, maintaining and improving) the quality of …[an] education system, institution or program.”

10. Issuing guidelines for the establishment of providers’ QA procedures
European Context of Quality Apprenticeship
QQI has an external QA role in ensuring and communicating to the public that providers have appropriate QA procedures in place and that these are implemented and effective. This is achieved by:
Issuing guidelines for the establishment of providers’ QA procedures
Reviewing the effectiveness of those procedures
PATD are part of NFQ which is referenced to EQF

11. European Impact on Quality Apprenticeship
Research
Outcome
Quality Impact
Bruges Communique (2010)
(Copenhagen Process)
5 key priorities to further improve VET systems have been set for the period until 2020.
Promote WBL in particular apprenticeships
Further develop QA mechanisms in VET in line with the EQAVET recommendation
Bruges Communiqué in December 2010 outlined a series of actions to increase the quality of VET in Europe in order to make it more accessible and relevant to the labour market
Bologna Agreement
(agreements between European countries to ensure comparability in the standards and quality of higher-education qualifications)
strengthened quality assurance
easier recognition of qualifications and periods of study
strong need for flexible, innovative learning approaches and delivery methods to improve quality and relevance
In September 2018, Thematic Peer Group C on Quality Assurance – more specifically on Key Commitment 3 (Quality Assurance in compliance with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area)

12. European Impact of Quality Apprenticeship
Research
Outcome
Quality Impact
Riga conclusions
new medium-term deliverables for vocational education and training (VET), known as the Riga conclusions
The conclusions include five priority areas for aiming to:
promote work-based learning with special attention to apprenticeships,
further develop quality assurance mechanisms in VET in line with the European quality assurance in VET recommendation

13. European Impact on Quality Apprenticeship
Research
Outcome
Quality Impact
Other reports
European Alliance for Apprenticeship (EAfA)
Aim of strengthening the quality, supply and overall image of apprenticeships across Europe
When developing apprenticeships, quality is crucial. 3 in 4 EAfA pledges focus on quality issues.
The Education and Training 2020 Working Group on VET has developed a guidance document "High-performance apprenticeships & work-based learning: 20 guiding principles ". Furthermore, the European trade unions developed a study on a “European Quality Framework for Apprenticeships”,
ENQA’s
(European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education)
large-scale survey on the status of quality assurance (QA) of work-based learning (WBL) within the context of the European higher education (HE) sector (Feb, 2018)
The report shows that there is no single unified approach across Europe as practices vary significantly from country to country depending on national legislation, development of QA agencies, and the field of study.

14. European Impact of Quality Apprenticeship
Research
Outcome
Quality Impact
EQAVET - European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training brings together the EU Member States, the Social Partners and the European Commission.
Develops and improves quality assurance in European VET systems within the context of the implementation of the European Quality Assurance Reference Framework.
Developing a culture of quality, to be embedded at European level and other levels

15. Developing a National Apprenticeship

16. Ensuring Quality

18. Introduction: Core QA Guidelines

19. Statutory Core QA Guidelines
No.
Core Criterion 1
Governance and management of quality 2
Documented approach to quality assurance (QA) 3
Programmes of education and training 4
Staff recruitment, management and development 5
Teaching and learning 6
Assessment of learner 7
Supports of learners 8
Information and data management 9
Public information and communication 10
Other parties involved in education and training 11
Self-evaluation, monitoring and review

20. Statutory QAGs for Apprenticeship
No.
Criterion 1
Guidelines: development stages 2
Guidelines to the operational programme stage
4.1 Occupational memoranda of agreement and memoranda
of understanding
4.2 Programme provision
4.3 Assessment of apprentice achievement
4.4 Managing and maintaining quality in apprentice programmes
4.5 Periodic reviews of occupation, the consortium and the programme 3
Supports for apprentices
5.1 General issues
5.2 Duty of care to young apprentices
5.3 Integration into off-the-job institutions
5.4 Dealing with competing responsibilities
5.5 Special educational and training needs or disabilities 4
Information provisions
6.1 Management information and data
6.2 Public information

24. Top Tips: Policy QA Principles

25. In Conclusion
Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand. Native American Saying

26. Useful Resources Further Research: https://www.eqavet.eu/About-Us
QQI Resources:
QQI website
Online QA Guidelines
QA Guidelines (main site)
Initial Access to Programme Validation
Programme Validation
Application for Validation (FET)