CQAF-VET online. Common Quality Assurance Framework- VET. Online Model

Promoter of the project

• Folkuniversitetet Uppsala, Uppsala (Sweden)

Partner entities

• National Agency for Higher Vocational Education, (Sweden)
• Documenta, Santander (Spain)
• Dimitra, Larissa (Greece)
• Revalento, Tilburg (The Netherlands)
• MMC-Management Center, Nicosia (Cyprus)

General description

The purpose of this project is to test and complete the Quality Assurance (QA) model already elaborated and transfer it to an online tool for self-advising and improvement of the quality of both firms and provider organizations in the VET field.

Themes, indicators and levels of the model will be tested in a broad manner among several types of training courses providers to calibrate the model. Changes and amendments will be tried by partners in their respective countries and the model will have a European justification and application. After its completion, the model will be available in an online format for the providers in 5 different languages, including good practices for the improvement and organization in VET quality.  

Improvement of quality systems in VET: Topics related to QA in VET (public and private training, as well as in the adult education field) are important for the development of a common standards at European level. Transparence in managing QA will contribute, in turn, to make firms dedicated to VET clearer, promote both mobility of learners and the concept of Lifelong Learning. Current quality standards work at local level and differ from one county to another; these differences obstruct transparence and create barriers for validation of VET programmes and mobility of learners. In order to resolve this problem training providers have to elaborate an operational model that is in harmony with European policies, the national context and their own policies. This is the set objective for this project.

Methodology and workplan

The methodology of the process addresses the testing of the elaborated model for QA in VET. It will be based on a closed questionnaire for VET stakeholders (participants, trainers, social partners, both public and private sectors). The results of the questionnaires will be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively, which is agreed upon in prior based on frameworks in ISO 9001-2000 and CQAF. The dissemination and valorization will be done through an interactive CD-ROM and web site of the project presented at various relevant workshops and conferences and also through dialogue with national and EU VET authorities and organizations.  

The workplan includes the following steps:

a)     The National Sweden Agency will test the elaborated model of CQAF-VET on a large scale.

b)    Dissemination of the Swedish model for project partner organizations: this will be done through workshops and demonstration of implementation of QA-Folkuniversitetet Uppsala.

c)     Enrichment of the Swedish model by inclusion of criteria from partners: each partner will be able to add criteria which they lack in the Swedish model at Folkuniversitetet

d)    Testing of the above adapted QA-model: each partner will test the QA model based on CQAF in VET programs and present the result at a transnational meeting, where partnership will finalize the model and documentation.    

e)     The new model will be disseminated both nationally by each partner, according to a prior elaborated plan and also at EU level through participation at relevant seminars at conferences. Valorization will be carried out through national VET-authorities and also at EU-organizations as CEDEFOP (European Centre for Development of Vocational Training), EFVET- European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, EVTA – European Vocational Training Association.  

Target audience

• Providers of VET: universities, local authorities, private firms and organizations