The European Quality Assurance Reference framework for Vocational Education and Training (EQARF)

Thus EQARF supports lifelong learning strategies, European labour market integration and promotes a culture of quality improvement at all levels, while respecting the rich diversity of national education systems. It should therefore underpin every policy initiative in vocational education and training.

EQARF forms part of a series of European initiatives which aim is to recognize various skills and competencies received by learners across different countries or learning environments, e.g. Europass, the European principles for the identification and validation of non-formal and informal learning, ECVET and the European Qualification Framework for lifelong learning (EQF).

Content of the EQARF

The reference framework is based on the quality cycle which comprises the four phases:

1. setting of policy goals/objectives and planning,
2. implementation phase,
3. evaluation phase which deals with the design of the mechanisms for evaluation and the assessment of achievements/outcomes at individual, provider and system levels,
4. review, based on a combination of internal and external evaluation results, processing of feedback and organisation of procedures for change.

Role of the various stakeholders

Member States

Member States are encouraged to use and develop EQARF. More precisely, each Member State is recommended to devise within 2 years from the adoption of the recommendation an approach aimed at improving quality assurance systems at national level and making best use of EQARF involving the social partners, regional and local authorities and every other relevant stakeholder. This approach includes the establishment where this does not already exist of a quality assurance national reference point, as well as an active participation in the European quality assurance reference framework network.

Member states will monitor the implementation of the Framework with a view to conducting a review of the Recommendation, if appropriate, four years after its adoption.

The EQARF recommendation fully respects the competence of Member States and is a voluntary system to be used by public authorities and bodies charged with quality assurance and improvement in VET.

European Commission

It is the Commission's intention to support Member States in carrying out the above tasks in particular by contributing to policy development in this area through concrete proposals and initiatives facilitating cooperation and mutual learning, testing and developing guidance material, and providing information on quality developments in VET across EU countries. The European Commission will ensure follow-up and evaluation of the implementation of this recommendation notably by presenting a report every four years to the European Parliament and the Council.

List of indicators

Background

Discussion on quality assurance started formally in 2000 with the launch of the European forum on quality.

The Barcelona European Council in March 2002 set up the ambitious goal to have European education and training systems a world quality reference by 2010. (See presidency conclusions § 43 )

The Copenhagen Declaration in November 2002 called for enhanced cooperation in VET quality assurance. In 2003 a Common Quality Assurance Framework for VET (CQAF) was established proposing common principles, guidelines and tools. The CQAF was endorsed by the Council in May 2004. The Helsinki Communiqué in December 2006 underlined the need to progress from the CQAF to a culture of quality improvement and to strengthen cooperation on quality improvement in VET.

The approach to quality assurance is reflected in the general principles contained in Annex 3 to the existing 2007 Recommendation on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework

To know more

• Establishment of a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for Vocational Education and Training
  Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council (June 2009)
• Cedefop webpage on quality assurance in VET
• European Network for quality assurance in VET