Inside the project, ICS (ICS Skills Certification Body Of The Irish Computer Society) organised the eigth consultation for VET teachers from the Irish vocational education.

Aim of the Consultation

• Presentation of Quality Assurance in VET and EQAVET;
• How can OpenQAsS help?
• OpenQAsS components: Interactive Manual, EQOS Toolkit and Course with Certification.

The discussion allowed participants to clarify aspects that should be taken into further account.
 

Results

• The ICS Skills partner Multiplier Event was very well received
• Attendees had not been aware of he project despite web site coverage and publication of the Country Report
• Structured QA strateogies in EQOS were appreciated, like PDCA and the the resources repository
• Lesson planning tools and the Taxonomy wee of less interest
• High level of interest in the course and certification, but information about access and funding were sought
• EQAVET was a new concept to most of the teachers, but was welcomed with interest
• There was a clear request that the course syllabus should reflect the particular requirements of the Irish Qualification and Quality Authority
• Attendees agreed to be volunteers to help to customise the course once the final OpenQAsS version was produced

Comments

• Supporting systems should not overload the teachers: avoid entering the same information several times becauase tools are not connecting between them
• Centers have to use some compulsory tools provided by authorities for specific processes (e.g. notification of student`s absence)
• Quality management activities are allocated to teachers as yet another part of their already heavy workload
• No resources for maintaining their own systems: centralized online system would be the best option
• Interest in collecting feedback from students and other stakeholders
• Self-reflection is OK, but managers are not allowed to supervise such information without a previous agreement with representation of workers