Explanation of the activities: This section consists of 5 sub-sections.

1. Context

The FORUM offers a privileged framework where the Commission, Member States and the social partners cooperate to improve the quality of vocational training. It constitutes a relevant platform to foster agreement on new action, formulate proposals and relay expert work towards decision-makers at European and national levels.

At its inaugural meeting of 29 and 30 May 2001, the FORUM defined the guidelines for its activities and made proposals on the priorities for its first term (May 2001-May 2002), based on common problems and challenges for the future in the various countries. It also established certain principles for implementing the work programme.

The work programme includes several activity sheets set up by the technical group established by Cedefop to support the FORUM. The priorities identified by the FORUM are set in a short-, medium- and long-term action framework. Further, the work programme defines the main measures and draws up a provisional timetable. (1)

Covering the 2001-02 period, the programme should remain flexible enough during its implementation to integrate new priorities related to policy development at European level, namely resulting from the communication of the Commission on an 'action plan for lifelong learning'.

2. Underfying principles

The governance of systems constitutes the structural dimension of the work programme. The forms of governance in each country are supported by systems of quality management and specific quality tools, aimed at ensuring transparency, coherence and effectiveness of the training services provided at centralised and decentralised levels. Characterised by the relative roles played by the State, companies and social partners, they can also play a decisive role in regulating the private provision of training.

Training quality management, and its tools, are inextricably linked to the specific characteristics of societal constructions, underlying the architecture and operation of vocational training systems. The FORUM will take these specific characteristics into account. In fact, it will have to shed light on the principles underlying the different concepts of quality, the definition methods for quality standards and the use of quality tools.

The exchange of views and debate among actors at various levels are the best means for defining criteria likely to be recognised and shared by all, towards a culture of 'shared ownership' of good governorship and of individual and institutional responsibility for quality management. The FORUM should offer proposals for this debate, based in particular on the analysis of cases of 'good practice' in Member States

In its contents and implementation means, the draft work programme echoes the mission, aims and goals of the FORUM (2):

• to ensure the piloting and follow-up of the work undertaken at Community level on the quality of vocational training;
• to clarify the issues of quality (problems), both specific and common to the various countries, as well as quality approaches (contribution to resolving problems) implemented at various levels within the framework of initial and continuing training;
• to promote the definition and dissemination of innovations in the field of 'management of quality'(3), including those arising from the Leonardo da Vinci programme;
• to encourage and broaden the debate, the exchange of information, experience and 'good practice' in the field of 'management of quality', within the European Union;
• to support the Member States, the Commission and the social partners, by bringing a Community added value to the work carried out by qualified organisations in this area at national level;
• to ensure interaction between expertise and political decisions, through the formulation of policy and practical proposals.

This work programme also envisages that the results of all the activities will be used to prepare a strategic policy paper with an action plan, aimed at promoting the improvement of quality of vocational training in the European Union.

3. Contents of the Work programme

The work programme consists of several activities which are all interlinked with each other. In short the work programme proposes to:

• examine more closely four key topics relating to the governance of quality in VET (see point 3.2 below: approaches to quality management, self-assessment, examination and certification practices, quality indicators);
• build upon achievements and exploit the results of the projects undertaken on the quality of vocational training within the framework of the first phase of the implementation of the Leonardo da Vinci programme (1995-99);
• prepare a strategic policy paper with an action plan in the field of quality, based on the results of the FORUM work on the four key topics and on analysis of Leonardo da Vinci projects

Some members of the FORUM proposed training-of-trainers as another important topic to be dealt with in more detail. It was included as a horizontal issue in the four key topics because it did not seem appropriate at this stage to handle it as an isolated subject. This can be changed, however, at a later stage of the FORUM's work programme.

3.1 Proposal for a strategic policy paper on the governance of quality in VET

The policy paper on governance of quality in VET will be the central issue of the work of the FORUM for 2001-02. It is to integrate the outcome of the work on the four key topics and the exploitation of the Leonardo programme. Further, results from the study visits programme( ) will be included and links will be made to the work of the Transparency Forum. These efforts will result in a European strategy plan to be launched by the end of 2002. Thus, the policy paper will contain both an analysis and reflection on the current situation, demonstrating the importance and added value of quality approaches, as well as an elaborated action plan for the future.

It is important to set the conditions for implementing the action plan. This means carefully considering the necessary political, administrative, legal and financial implications and ensuring the necessary steps are taken.

3.1.1. Expected results
A final strategic policy paper containing an analysis of the feasibility and the key elements for an action plan for quality in VET at EU level as well as in the Member States with several recommendations supported by sound arguments.

3.2. Key topics

3.2.1. Quality management approaches for VET providers
Quality management approaches aim to evaluate, improve permanently and ensure the conformity of training quality. The work programme provides for identifying and analysing a number of quality-management systems set up to ensure the quality of public and private training. Close attention will be paid to the tools (methods, criteria, norms, minimum performance standards, etc.) used to support quality management in both VET organisations and training professionals. The work will also concern the criteria for setting quality standards to evaluate the results of training in terms of qualifications and skills acquired by those who have received the training.

3.2.1.1. Expected results
A report analysing and illustrating different models of quality management approaches and tools, as well as the quality criteria applied to evaluate training outcomes. The report will also include proposals to ensure that experience gained can be shared across Europe.

3.2.2. Self-assessment in VET institutions
Self-assessment forms an integral part of quality management systems. Encouraging the systematic practice of self-assessment by actors at various levels is one of the main objectives of the FORUM. The work programme provides for the identification of quality criteria, norms and indicators, likely to support the practice of self-assessment in the various countries. It also seeks to highlight methodologies that combine self-assessment with other features of the quality-management system, including external evaluation and performance rating.

3.2.2.1. Expected results
A report analysing and illustrating cases of good practice in self-assessment in Europe and proposing a conceptual framework for organising criteria, standards, tools and methods likely to be adapted to different contexts. The report will also include proposals for future action at European Union level.

3.2.3. Types of examinations and certification practices
Examinations and certification practices constitute a central issue in the governance of VET systems, structuring relations between centralised and decentralised levels and between public and private actors. Standardised in many countries at national level, the rules, criteria and specifications for examinations, diplomas and certification are in general a public responsibility, shared to a variable degree (according to the systems) with the social partners. The need to adapt training to specific contexts is leading more and more economic actors to develop qualification standards and specialised certificates. This raises the question of the recognition of such qualifications at national level and their transferability and marketability on external labour markets. The FORUM will analyse cases of 'good practice' that address these tensions, by paying close attention to the methods and quality standards that support them and to the roles played by the various actors in this process.

3.2.3.1. Expected results
A report analysing and illustrating the links between quality issues and different types of examination and certification practices in various VET systems, with special attention on the involvement of social partners and other actors on the definition of qualifications, certification schemes and examinations. The report will also include proposals for future action at European Union level.

3.2.4. Indicators for a European quality in VET strategy
Quality indicators for vocational training are tools used by the governance of systems to measure the effectiveness of the service in relation to the aims set at various levels. The work programme provides for the development of a 'set' of indicators for measuring the quality of vocational training in relation to the political aims of improving employability, coherence between supply and demand and access to training, in particular for the more vulnerable groups on the labour market. Following different recommendations the work will concentrate on the identification of indicators relating to the output and outcome of VET systems. Moreover, the FORUM's work on quality indicators for vocational training should contribute to the Community statistical mechanism.

3.2.4.1. Expected results
A proposal to Member States and the social partners on indicators that can be used to support and improve the quality of VET systems in the three priority areas. A proposal to Eurostat concerning quality indicators for vocational training, to be included in regular statistical surveys.

3.3. Exploiting and targeting the Leonardo programme
One of the objectives of the Leonardo programme is to contribute towards improving the quality of vocational training systems and methods. Consequently, the FORUM will seek to exploit results already obtained and will formulate proposals for future activities. The Commission will launch a study for a comparative analysis of projects under the Leonardo programme on quality management and tools used in vocational training that have already been completed. It will culminate in a final study which will be discussed in the FORUM to draw further conclusions and will be distributed via its website.

3.3.1. Expected results
An exploitation of results concerning the governance of quality obtained in the Leonardo programme and recommendations for more effective targeting of next calls for proposals.

4. Implementing the work programme

The work programme is based on certain implementation principles built upon in the FORUM's proposals. Implementing the work programme requires setting up suitable exchange mechanisms and organising debates among actors at various levels, which are likely to support and relay the FORUM's missions. Implementation will be based on information and analyses, that will offer better knowledge of the priority issues addressed within the framework of the work programme.

4.1. Establishment of subgroups according to the four key topics
According to the four key topics outlined above, subgroups will be established within the FORUM. Members of the FORUM were asked to choose one of the working groups for their active participation; alternatively, they could nominate a qualified expert for cooperation with their chosen subgroup. Each subgroup (five to six members) will benefit from the support of one of the technical group's members, with responsibilities distributed as follows:

• quality management approaches for VET providers (Finn Christensen) hyperlink to the activities sub-group 1;
• self-assessment in VET institutions (Pascale de Rozario in collaboration with Wouter van den Berghe) hyperlink to the activities sub-group 2;
• types of examinations and certification practices (Pascale de Rozario) hyperlink to the activities sub-group 3;
• indicators for a European quality in VET strategy (Erwin Seyfried) hyperlink to the activities sub-group 4;

4.2. Working arrangements
The strategic policy paper will be drafted with contributions from all members of the technical group, with Wouter van den Berghe coordinating this process. The draft will be continuously developed and discussed with feedback from members of the FORUM during plenary sessions.

The subgroups will exchange information and cooperate electronically on a continuous basis. They will meet about three times between the plenary sessions of the FORUM. It is foreseen to discuss at every plenary session of the FORUM a certain 'product' linked to the four key topics and based on progress in each of the key areas - a continually elaborated version of the strategic policy paper.

To make sure the subgroups arrive at their objectives, additional resources and in some cases also accompanying research activities will be necessary. The European Commission and Cedefop will seek possible arrangements.

In principle, subgroups will start their work with relevant information provided by the members of the FORUM group. As proposed at the last FORUM meeting, members are asked to communicate examples and best-practice examples which are related to the four key topics. Based on this information and a review of other existing documents, the subgroups will draft a first paper defining the scope for each key topic. This paper is to be presented and discussed at a plenary session of the FORUM, foreseen on November 26 and 27. The subgroups should meet a second time before the FORUM meeting in May 2002, to elaborate and prepare a draft paper to be discussed in the plenary meeting. A third meeting of the subgroups should be held afterwards to finalise the reports for each of the four key topics.

The results of these reports will then be integrated into the final version of the strategic policy paper and the EU-wide action plan.

4.3. General timetable
For the four subgroups the general timetable for the implementation of the work programme is as follows:
(a) distribution of the work programme: beginning of October 2001;
(b) nomination of members for the subgroups through the FORUM by 15 October;
(c) collection of experience, documents, good-practice examples, etc. from members of the FORUM on the four key topics: October 2001(to be continued with the project);
(d) first meetings of the four subgroups by end of October / beginning of November 2001;
(e) drafting a first note defining the scope of each topic for the next FORUM meeting (26/27 November) by 15 November 2001;
(f) drafting a first version of the strategic policy paper by mid-November 2001;
(g) additional and accompanying research activities, analysis of relevant material and preparation of draft discussion papers for each of the topics: December 2001 - March 2002;
(h) drafting a more elaborated version of the strategic policy paper: December 2001 - March 2002, distribution to members of the FORUM group and integration of feedback by beginning of May 2002;
(i) second meetings of the four subgroups to prepare a draft paper for the next FORUM meeting by April 2002;
(j) presentation of the draft papers for the four key topics and the strategic paper at the FORUM meeting in May 2002;
(k) third meetings of the subgroups to finalise their reports in June 2002;
elaboration of the final version of the strategic policy paper and preparations for implementing the action plans by September 2002.

4.4. Instruments for implementing the work programme

The implementation instruments identified by the work programme are presented as follows in connection with the FORUM's tasks:

4.4.1. Promoting exchanges of experience

• Forum subgroups dealing with specific topics
• National Forums
• The interactive website (to be established)

4.4.2. Developing knowledge

• Identifying and analysing examples of good practice
• Pilot projects, surveys and studies within the Leonardo da Vinci programme
• Specifically targeted studies

4.4.3. Building policy consensus at national and European level

• Reporting, with concrete proposals from the FORUM's discussions
• Dialogue between relevant actors at all levels

4.4.4. Establishing synergies

• Ensuring complementarity with other Community programmes and initiatives (particularly the ESF)
• Intra- and interinstitutional cooperation (Education Directorate of DG Education and Culture, Eurostat, Cedefop, European Training Foundation, OECD etc.)
• Links with the Forum on transparency of qualifications
• Links with the study visits programme

4.4.5. Disseminating information

• Website: Quality Forum in VET in the European Training Village web site
• Glossary of quality terms

5. Summary of tasks for the members of the Forum

As asked for by some members of the FORUM group, here is a summary of tasks which members of the FORUM should fulfil:

• active participation in meetings of the FORUM;
• collection of information through consultations at national and regional levels;
• active participation in one of the FORUM subgroups (or nomination of a qualified expert);
• provision of relevant information for at least one of the topics of the four FORUM subgroups;
• feedback on draft papers of the chosen subgroup;
• feedback on draft papers addressed to the plenary of the FORUM;
• dissemination of results of the FORUM in their respective environments;
• preparation and briefing of policy-makers on the strategic action plan

(1) A draft version of this work programme was circulated to members of the FORUM at the end of July 2001. By the beginning of September, nine members had provided feedback which in general was very supportive. Additional remarks and recommendations have been taken into consideration in this final version of the work programme

(2) Cf. 'Proposal for action', Commission, 27.1.2000; note for opinion to the members of the Advisory Committee for Vocational Training: 'Role and mandate of the European Forum on the quality of vocational training; operational framework for implementation', 27.4.2001; summary of the conclusions of the founding meeting of the European FORUM on the quality of vocational training, 29-30.5.2001.

(3) The expression 'quality control' used in previous documents has been replaced by 'management of quality', following the preparation for this meeting carried out by members of the technical group (Van den Berghe, W. 'Quality tools for VET systems and organisations').