Ensuring quality in vocational education and training (VET)

The European quality reference framework is one of a series of European initiatives designed to encourage labour mobility. It helps countries to promote and monitor improvements in their vocational education and training (VET) systems.

ACT

Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the establishment of a European quality assurance reference framework for vocational education and training (Official Journal C 155 of 8.7.2009, pp. 1-10).

SUMMARY

The European quality reference framework is one of a series of European initiatives designed to encourage labour mobility. It helps countries to promote and monitor improvements in their vocational education and training (VET) systems.

WHAT DOES THE RECOMMENDATION DO?

It establishes a European quality assurance reference framework. This is a toolbox with common European references. On a voluntary basis, national authorities can use the aspects they deem most useful to develop, improve, guide and assess the quality of their own VET systems.

KEY POINTS

• The framework contains a four-phase cycle of planning, implementation, evaluation/assessment and review/revision of the VET systems.
• Each phase includes quality criteria and indicative descriptors to help national authorities set goals, devise standards and undertake reviews.
• Reference indicators, such as investment in training teachers, are designed to help evaluate and improve the quality of VET systems.
• National authorities are encouraged to play an active role in the framework and to further develop common principles, reference criteria, indicators and guidelines.
• Quality assurance national reference points keep stakeholders informed about the framework’s activities, support and develop its work and help to evaluate its achievements.
• National authorities should review the process every 4 years.

In May 2014, EU governments noted the advances that had been made in quality assurance in education and training and agreed on the need to make further progress.

BACKGROUND

The recommendation should help to modernise education and training systems and ensure people do not leave without qualifications. It also aims to improve the interrelationship between education, training and employment.

For more information, see:

• quality assurance in VET on the European Commission’s website;
• policy context - European quality assurance reference framework.

RELATED ACTS

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 on the establishment of a European quality assurance reference framework for vocational education and training (COM(2014) 30 final of 28.1.2014).

Council conclusions of 20 May 2014 on quality assurance supporting education and training (OJ C 183 of 14.6.2014, pp. 30-35).

last update 30.07.2015