Close

VET Quality Label for Centres of Excellence

In 2015, EVTA launched an initiative to promote VET through improving the training delivery, and thus to boost employability of people. In this framework, quality and innovation are assumed as keys for VET systems ameliorations.

The concept of “quality” is not static, is not absolute, but evolves along adapting to changing market and customer needs and is relative to marketing aims.  There is plenty of literature, standards and reference bodies as for quality is regarded in general terms. As regards to education and training activities, the analysis of quality mainly refers to “services” rather than “products”.

EVTA Policy on Quality Label

Supported by the Erasmus+ programme, the EVTA idea of a VET Quality Label is based on the dissemination of a shared standard of excellence and on the analysis of social utility of VET, considered as the two pillars of our policy.

Excellence

EVTA believes that the approach to the “Quality label” idea should adopt and develop the concept of “VET Centre of Excellence” as a place were professionally effective, socially relevant, methodologically advanced VET services take systematically place and to explore whatever the reasons that bring peers (VET training associations or centres) stakeholders (decision makers and companies), workers (professionals and teachers) and customers (students) to award a training center as “excellent”. It is a subjective (relative) approach aimed to explore objective (absolute) elements of quality.

Centres of excellence are VET centres under ongoing innovation and with elements of distinction versus the average VET training centre service provisions.  To be considered as a Centre of Excellence, they need to keep pace with technological and innovative changes from different points of view, such as:

  • innovation of centers’ facilities, structural organisation and acquisition of technologies;
  • relationship with the most innovative companies in the field of reference, for trainings and for job placements;
  • updating of related job profiles, curriculum and training programmes;
  • technological, methodological and pedagogical upgrading of trainer

To study and analyze what characterizes excellence, EVTA developed the following methodology:

  • Discussion of standards and indicators;
  • Identification of candidates within the EVTA and EVBB networks;
  • Online survey on VET Centres of Excellence
  • Mapping and analysis of excellence elements and check versus standars quality frames;
  • Creation of the Catalogue of VET Centres of Excellence for trainers and professionals in the EVTA and EVBB networks.

To be part of the Catalogue, select centers must adhere to the Catalogue’s agreement.

Benefits for members

  • inclusion in mobility project managed by the EVTA and EVBB networks
  • a mapping of the weaknesses of each centre and suggestions and support for improvements
  • invitations to participate to programmes and activities organised by EVTA
  • updates on programmes and activities made by EVTA for the professionals working in the Centres of Excellence
  • submission of research project to enhance and develop the concepts of quality and excellence

Obligations for members

EVTA believes that the approach to the “Quality label” idea should adopt and develop the concept of “VET Centre of Excellence” as a place were professionally effective, socially relevant, metodologically advanced VET services take sistematically place and to explore whatever the reasons that bring peers (VET training associations or centres) stakeholders (decision makers and companies), workers (professionals and teachers) and customers (students) to award a training center as “excellent”. It is a subjective (relative) approach aimed to explore objective (absolute) elements of quality.

Centres of excellence are VET centres under ongoing innovation and with elements of distinction versus the average VET training centre service provisions.  To be considered as a Centre of Excellence, they need to keep pace with technological and innovative changes from different points of view, such as:

  • innovation of centers’ facilities, structural organisation and acquisition of technologies;
  • relationship with the most innovative companies in the field of reference, for trainings and for job placements;
  • updating of related job profiles, curriculum and training programmes;
  • technological, methodological and pedagogical upgrading of trainer;
  • formal adherence to the catalogue (signature of the agreement);
  • design of seminars/study visits to be included in the Catalogue;
  • availability to organise study visits/seminars and host guests from other centres;
  • participation to the launching event and to all other activities linked to the VET Quality Label initiative.

EVTA © 2022. All Rights Reserved.