Quality assurance
in continuing vocational training

Danielle Colardyn
Expert

European Training Foundation

Full text document

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The report examines some recent developments in Continuing Vocational Training (CVT) in the framework of lifelong learning for all with a particular emphasis on quality assurance. It defines such concepts as CVT, quality and quality assurance.

The state of the debate on quality assurance in CVT is examined in the European Union countries and in the partner states. Several aspects are highlighted: norms and standards for the content of training, quality assurance for training institutions, changes in quality assurance due to CVT developments and the recent focus on outcomes. The situation in partner states is presented and underlines a major objective: the need to link occupational standards and training standards. To conclude, the issue of the "European recognition" for the partner states is looked upon in terms of the expansion and the management of quality assurance mechanisms.

The examination of the main trends in policy measures to ensure quality assurance in CVT presents the major results from the survey. First, the actors involved include the social partners whose role should still expand. Second and major result: the main approaches to quality assurance are policies focused either on the institutional process or, mixing that approach with elements of the outcome based one. None of the countries defined themselves as developing purely outcome-based practices and policies. All quality assurance approaches are characterised and national policy measures to improve quality assurance are examined.

The emergence of new approaches to quality assurance are discussed with emphasis on the institutional process and the ISO norms as well as the outcomes-based approach and the EN45013 norm. To draw lessons from policies and practices in recent years, several messages could be emphasised. First the need for each country to develop its own approach as a result of the clear understanding that a simple transfer of models is neither feasible or desirable. Second, the above-mentioned European norms are quality assurance norms which could be used by countries as a reference point or even as a "common tool" for quality assurance while occupational or training standards should remain country specific. Third, these norms answer different questions. Fourth, both of these norms insist on the need for a "third party" to provide the assessment.

This leads to the challenges for the future that can be summarised under four headings:

1. The links between occupational standards and training standards;
2. The link between certification of initial VET and certification of CVT;
3. Quality assurance for initial VET and CVT which also involves the need to better define the European aspects of quality assurance;
4. The new roles and responsibilities of the public and private actors

Finally, a section is devoted to the potential role for the European Training Foundation. The provision of policy advice and the technical assistance are emphasised by countries and by the members of Subgroup B. A particular proposal for a follow up is presented which could be included in the new Work Programme (1999-2001).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive summary

Note

1. Introduction

1.1 Specific Aspects of CVT
1.2 Quality and Quality assurance developments
1.3 Quality and Quality assurance concepts
1.4 Scope of the report

2. State of the debate on quality assurance in CVT

2.1 Overview
2.2 The European Union countries
2.3 The partner states
2.4 Conclusion: the "European recognition" as an issue for partner states

3. Main trends in policy measures to ensure quality assurance in CVT and LLL

3.1 The actors
3.2 Main approaches to quality assurance policies
3.3 Characteristics of quality assurance approaches
3.4 National policy measures to ensure quality assurance

4. Emergence of new approaches for quality assurance in CVT

4.1 Quality assurance: The institutional process and the ISO norms
4.2 Quality assurance: The outcomes and the EN 45013

5. Conclusions and challenges for the future

6. Potential role for the European Training Foundation

References

Annex 1 - Questionnaire
Annex 2 - Country Specific Information
Annex 3 - Glossary of main terms

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