Description
The project "Recognition of Good VET practice for refugees" addresses the need for effective evaluation and recognition of quality in refugee integration within VET. It develops an extensive concept for external evaluation and recognition based on the successful outcomes of Good VET project. This concept is embodied in three key products:
An online training course designed to equip quality auditors with the skills needed to address the specific challenges of evaluating refugee integration;
A supplementary handbook and accompanying literature provided to support the online training, offering in-depth guidance on quality recognition;
A practice-oriented toolbox for the implementation of evaluation and recognition processes.
Beneficiaries
Education level and sector
Lower and upper VET, both school-based (Spain, Italy) and dual (Austria, Germany)
Type of policy/initiative
Quality assurance mechanisms
Aims of policy/initiative
The aim of the RecoVET initiative is to enhance the quality and recognition of VET measures for refugees, ensuring their successful integration into society and the labour market. By providing comprehensive training programmes, detailed guidelines, and practical tools, the project supports quality evaluators in addressing the unique challenges faced by refugees, such as language barriers and social issues. This holistic approach aims to improve the effectiveness of VET for refugees, enabling them to gain valuable skills and qualifications that facilitate their social and economic inclusion.
Furthermore, the RecoVET initiative fosters collaboration among universities and VET institutions across multiple countries, promoting the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions. The availability of resources in various languages (English, German, Spanish and Italian) ensures that the training and support materials are accessible to a diverse audience, further enhancing the project's impact. By focusing on key quality indicators and promoting tailored support, the initiative not only improves the immediate educational outcomes for refugees but also contributes to their long-term employability and integration into the workforce.
Features and types of activities implemented
One of the primary features of the project is the online training provided for quality evaluators. This training is specifically tailored to address the unique challenges associated with refugee integration in VET programmes. Accompanying this training is a comprehensive manual that offers detailed guidelines to ensure evaluators are well-prepared for their roles. Additionally, the project includes a toolbox containing practical tools for implementing assessment and quality recognition.
The project also implements various activities and initiatives to achieve its goals. Transnational meetings are regularly held in different countries, such as Innsbruck, Valencia, Bergamo, and Cologne. These meetings provide a platform for discussing project progress, sharing experiences, and planning future steps. To gather feedback on the project's tools and results, online surveys are conducted with evaluators and quality experts.
Multiplier events are organised in partner countries to disseminate the project results and facilitate informal exchanges among professionals. These events help spread the knowledge and best practices developed through the project. Workshops are another key activity, where participants work on developing and refining the online tool, manual, and toolbox, and discuss feedback and potential improvements.
Furthermore, the project engages in collaborations with NGOs and other external support networks to provide a comprehensive understanding of refugees' needs. These collaborations ensure that refugees’ challenges are considered to successfully integrate them into society and the labour market through high-quality vocational education and training.
Target group
Quality evaluators and VET inspectorate, stakeholders working with migrants and refugees enrolled in VET at risk of early leaving.
Resources
SRIC_UE_2021-1-DE02-KA220-VET-000034762
Total Project Budget coordinated by the University of Köln:
Project partners: https://recovet.uni-koeln.de/en/project-partner
Project team:
Prof. Michele Brunelli (Italy)
Prof. Fernando Marhuenda Fluixà (Spain)
Prof. Annette Ostendorf (Austria)
Prof. Matthias Pilz (Germany)
Dr. Hannes Hautz (Austria)
Dr. Junmin Li (Germany)
Julián Bell (Spain)
Ekaterina Schlüter (Germany)
Sarah Stegmann (Austria)
Michele Tallarini (Italy)
Critical Friends
Prof. Christian Helms Jorgensen
Klaus Ronsdorf
Dieter Wlcek
Evaluation of the measure
The evaluation of the RecoVET project is strongly supported by positive feedback from various countries. In Spain, the comprehensive presentation and useful guiding questions for quality inspectors were praised. Germany highlighted the project's conceptual layout and the articulation of reference indicators and tools for a competent and sensitive approach to school evaluation. Italy appreciated the clarity of evidence, accessible language, and meaningful goals, while Austria found the general description understandable and the toolbox easy to apply. These comments collectively underscore the project's success in creating a well-structured, inclusive, and practical framework for vocational education and training for refugees. The project has been successfully reviewed and approved by the German National Agency: https://recovet.uni-koeln.de/en/reviews.
Evidence of effectiveness of the measure
The effectiveness of the RecoVET practice is evidenced by its comprehensive approach to addressing the unique challenges faced by refugees VET. The project has successfully implemented online training programmes and a detailed manual, equipping quality evaluators with the necessary tools to assess and recognise the quality of VET measures for refugees. By focusing on key quality indicators such as input, process, and output, the project ensures a holistic evaluation of the training programmes. Additionally, the collaboration with universities from multiple countries and the availability of resources in various languages have significantly enhanced the accessibility and impact of the project.
For more information:
Success factors
The RecoVET project stands out due to its comprehensive approach to quality evaluation of VET programmes for refugees. One of the key success factors is its focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by refugees, such as language barriers, social issues, and trauma. By developing tailored assessments for institutions, teacher training programmes, and inclusive class compositions, the project ensures that refugees receive the necessary resources to succeed in their vocational education. This holistic approach not only enhances the learning experience but also significantly improves the employability of refugees, making it a model worth disseminating among VET stakeholders.
What makes RecoVET particularly unique is its collaborative nature, involving universities from Austria, Spain, Germany, and Italy. This international cooperation allows for the sharing of best practices and the development of adaptable quality indicators that can be implemented across different contexts. The project emphasises intercultural competence and awareness, ensuring that educators are well-equipped to handle the diverse needs of refugee students. Additionally, the creation of online training tools, manuals, and toolboxes for quality evaluators provides valuable resources that can inspire other institutions to adopt similar practices.
The success of RecoVET lies in its ability to foster metrics for inclusivity and coordination among various stakeholders. By highlighting the importance of intercultural competence, adaptable quality indicators, and effective coordination between institutions, the project sets a benchmark for integrating refugees into the labour market through VET. Its innovative approach and the lessons learned from participating countries demonstrate the potential for widespread impact, encouraging other VET stakeholders to implement similar strategies to support refugee integration and enhance vocational education outcomes.
