European Guidelines on Quality Assurance in Higher VET

The Erasmus+ Project ‘QA HiVETnet’ was initiated to elaborate European Guidelines on Quality Assurance in Higher VET(vocational education and training). These Guidelines as well as the idea of a ‘European Network on Quality Assurance in Higher VET’ were presented at the conference ‘Qualifications We Need, Quality We Want: Promoting quality assurance in higher vocational education and training’ on 16th of May 2017 in Brussels.

The conference was organised by UEAPME and attended by approximately 60 experts from across Europe. Contributions were provided by representatives of the European Commission, Cedefop, the partner organisations and members of the audience.

The focus of the discussions at the conference was on the Guidelines developed (the draft versions in German and English are available here). The aim of the Guidelines and the key quality features identified is to contribute – in a manner understandable to the outside world – to the presentation of what characterises higher VET programmes and qualifications and which quality aspects are connected with them. This is aimed at promoting the creation of a common understanding of higher VET.

To promote EU-wide cooperation more strongly, a ‘European Network on Quality Assurance in Higher Vocational Education and Training’ is also being set up on the initiative of UEAPME. This network aims to create a higher level of awareness of the importance of this educational field and its quality assurance, as well as to further develop the Guidelines.

Karin Luomi-Messerer (3s) is involved in the project as an external evaluator and moderated the conference.

Link: UEAPME Press Release.