Improving Quality Assurance In European Vocational Education And Training

Many resources are invested in the development and introduction of Quality Assurance Systems in educational institutions all over the world. Our assumption is that, as a result of quality assurance activities, practitioners obtain information about their own functioning and institutional performance which is new and valuable to them and which therefore will form a basis for them to improve performance. This assumption proves to be naïve; too often performance feedback is under-utilized, and evaluations become void, legitimizing rites instead of a basis for organizational learning and the improvement of institutions. The aim of this book was to find out when educational institutions do transform Quality Assurance data into actions to improve performance, and how the use of such data can be promoted. This volume reports on the study of Quality Assurance structures and activities in 36 educational institutes in 6 European Countries and presents guidelines for Quality Assurance.

Recoge: 1. Quality concepts and their application to vocational education and training - 2. Quality assurance and control systems in vocational education and training - 3. Quality systems in European vocational training - 4. Vocational training quality issues in Europe - 5. Conclusions and recommendations for further research.

The COVID-19 crisis has reiterated the importance of adult learning and career guidance services as many adults have lost their jobs and now require upskilling and reskilling opportunities in order to keep pace with the rapidly evolving world of work. Yet, in order to achieve its positive gains, adult training needs to be of high quality and ensure successful learning experiences for all participants.

Recoge: 1.Introduction - 2.Research approach and methods - 3.The networks on quality - 4.Quality through networking-an analysis of the case studies - 5.Conclusions and recommendations - 6 References - 7.Authors of the case studies - 8.Tables - 9.Illustrations.

Nine European Community Member States (Belgium, Germany, France, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, and United Kingdom) conducted national studies that involved case studies of quality assurance in continuing education. Analysis of findings indicated that many firms regarded continuing training as a central instrument for achieving economic goals and as an investment. Two different forms of cooperation between firms and training providers were identified. Large enterprises systematically planned, designed, implemented, and evaluated their personnel advancement and continuing training procedures as an integral part of corporate strategy. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were dependent for their planning and quality assurance needs on external help. The burden of quality control was increasingly passing from the customers to the suppliers of continuing training. Training institutions had to be able to verify the quality of their offerings credibly. Quality assurance methods would contribute to improved continuing training if the formal training requirements were given a teaching-related content and SMEs received external help from training providers. In addition, self-assessment should be encouraged, and the technical side of learning and teaching should be evaluated. (An appendix contains summaries of the status and future prospects of quality assurance in continuing training in the countries studied.) (YLB)

This report presents the overall quality assurance framework for initial vocational education in Denmark and the Netherlands and 10 case studies on quality assurance initiatives at Dutch and Danish vocational colleges. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the policy context on quality. Chapter 2 views the quality debate from the perspective of the decentralization or deregulation of vocational education and training (VET) policies (from the government's point of view) and greater autonomy for colleges (from the school's point of view) during recent years. A general conceptual framework is offered for the description of the policy context, quality programs, and case studies. Chapter 3 describes the policy context of initial vocational education at the secondary level within which the quality initiatives of the vocational colleges are taking place. The Danish and the Dutch policy contexts are described separately, followed by a comparison between the countries that highlights similarities and differences in the contexts and programs of quality assurance. Chapter 4 presents 10 case studies describing and discussing the different ways chosen by Dutch or Danish vocational colleges to improve quality. Four case studies emphasize quality activities based on a program of external quality assurance; six place emphasis on fully inhouse quality systems and programs. Chapter 5 provides an evaluation of the implementation of school-based quality concepts in the two countries. Appendixes contain 17 references and background information about the national systems of VET. (YLB)

A research network has examined how quality management is implemented in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe and what the consequences are for the qualification needs of employees. The research has taken place within the framework of the Leonardo da Vinci programme, which is an action programme of the European Commission DG XXII - Education Training and Youth. This book presents conclusions including three parts: "Results" deriving from the sector studies - specialised "Scientific contributions" of network partners - "Action-oriented dialogue" documenting comments of key actors in vocational training from the participating countries. Special objectives are: Support of quality-oriented development of SMEs and their staff; Support of quality-oriented development of vocational education and training; Support of implementation requirements including regional aspects.