In all European countries, fast-changing technical developments and global competition are leading to growing demand for well-qualified workforces; investments in education are an important means for the EU to keep pace internationally, as well as contributing to increased social cohesion. Financial investments alone are not sufficient to make VET attractive, socially inclusive and competitive – the quality of VET must be considered too.

Since 2002, the ‘Copenhagen process for enhanced European cooperation in VET’ has fostered common learning by involving all relevant stakeholders to improve performance, quality and attractiveness of VET in Europe. In its political dimension, the process aimed to establish common European objectives and support reforms in national VET systems.

A major development was definition of a common European framework to improve quality assurance in VET. Continuous cooperation between Member States and social partners at European level, supported by the EU Commission, resulted in adoption of the ‘recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a European quality assurance reference framework for VET (EQAVET)’ in June 2009 (European Parliament and Council of the EU, 2009a).

The EQAVET framework comprises an action pattern for quality assurance and quality improvement, based on the PDCA cycle of planning, implementation, evaluation and review, supported by common quality criteria and indicative descriptors (Annex I of the recommendation) and a coherent set of quality indicators (Annex II of the recommendation), which can be used both at VET provider and VET system levels.

Following the PDCA cycle, the EQAVET framework suggests application of a circular quality assurance framework that comprises:

1. goal-setting and strategic planning;
2. rules and regulations for implementation, continuous monitoring and measurement of results according to predefined goals;
3. analysis of factors contributing to quality and management of change in view of the achieved results;
4. new strategic planning and goal-setting adapted to new developments, thus starting a new cycle for continuous improvement.

The principle of the quality cycle is easy to understand, because it applies instinctively in everyday life. However, it is the systematic, continuous and regular use of the cycle that makes the difference when establishing a quality framework.

Figure 1. The Deming (PDCA) cycle

Source: CEDEFOP.

By following the same structure and the same steps as the PDCA cycle^[2] – the foundation and common basis of all models and systems of quality assurance, either implicitly or explicitly – the EQAVET framework aims to develop a systematic approach to quality assurance and continuous improvement in VET systems and VET provision. Applying the PDCA cycle to a specific context constitutes the basic element of any effective internal quality management and quality culture within VET institutions – focus of this Cedefop handbook.

The EQAVET recommendation also promoted establishment of the EQAVET network^[3], a platform for deepening cooperation in quality in VET by bringing together the EU, European Economic Area (EEA), European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and candidate countries, social partners and European Commission. Cedefop plays an active role as scientific advisor to the network and participates in its steering committee and working groups. Within its strategic objective of fostering excellence, quality and relevance of VET, the Bruges communiqué of December 2010 invites countries to establish at national level and by the end of 2015, a common quality assurance framework for VET providers, compatible with the EQAVET framework (Council of the EU and European Commission, 2010).

To promote the EQAVET framework at national level, countries are recommended to establish quality assurance national reference points (NRPs). By 2013, 28 countries reported having put in place a NRP^[4]. They form a network and support countries to develop and implement their national approaches to quality assurance, disseminate information on EU VET quality-related developments and raise national awareness of quality assurance in VET^[5].

The EQAVET recommendation invites Member States to review the EQAVET implementation process every four years and report the results to the European Commission. The first report of the EU Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the experience gained and implications for the future was submitted end of 2013.

Box 1. Components of the EQAVET recommendation for VET

The EQAVET framework forms part of a series of European tools and principles to make qualifications more transparent and ease mobility of learners and workers. They include the European qualifications framework (EQF) for lifelong learning (European Parliament and Council of the EU, 2008), the European credit system for VET (ECVET) (European Parliament and Council of the EU, 2009a), the common European principles for identification and validation of non-formal and informal learning as expressed in the Council recommendation on validation (Council of the EU, 2012) and Europass (European Parliament and Council of the EU, 2004).

Among the various Cedefop publications related to quality assurance, the following three are of particular interest to VET providers looking for international cooperation:

1. Cedefop, 2008;
2. Cedefop, 2011a;
3. Cedefop, 2011b.

Box 2. Quality assurance tools provided by the EQAVET network (*)

Box 3. Questions for reflection and options for further action