In 2015 the four-year national project External assessment of vocational education and training (VET) quality was concluded.

The project was coordinated by the Qualifications and VET Development Centre and jointly funded by the national budget and European social fund (ESF). The system for external evaluations of initial VET had been developed, implemented, and produced recommendations for quality improvements for VET providers and policy makers.

The evaluation focused on VET programme delivery, finding good and weak practices in the seven education sectors (including construction, hotels and restaurants, hair and beauty care, travel, tourism and leisure) attended by 60% of all initial VET learners. Six quality areas were defined and evaluated: training/learning environment, lifelong learning, access to training, modernity of training, correspondence of qualification to the needs of the economy, and efficiency of information and career planning. Each area was described by the list of quality criteria and indicators. The evaluation also covered the use of the EQAVET quality circle (planning – implementation – evaluation – review).

The external evaluators were experts from other VET providers and employers. They analysed VET provider self-assessment reports and other documentation, met with VET provider staff and social partners, and analysed and observed training resources and facilities.

The evaluation revealed a range of areas for improvement at national and provider level: reducing drop-outs; improving student performance and employability; designing the tools for, and collecting the opinions of, learners, teachers and employers; enabling recognition of competences gained through work experience; diversifying the offer of VET programmes and courses (very few providers offer CVET); increasing opportunities for work-based learning; increasing international mobility of VET teachers and learners; supporting skills competitions; achieving full efficient use of VET provider training facilities; increasing company participation in training; improving the teacher qualification system; and improving strategic planning among VET providers.

More information:

Qualifications and VET Development Centre website  (in English).

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