Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion

EQAVET - European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training

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The European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET) emerged from the 2009 recommendation of the European Parliament and Council, as a European wide framework to support quality assurance in vocational education and training (VET) across Europe.  

EQAVET is based on quality assurance and improvement cycle (planning, implementation, evaluation/ assessment, and review/revision) and a selection of descriptors and indicators applicable to quality management at both VET system and VET provider levels.  

EQAVET does not prescribe a particular quality assurance system or approach but provides a framework of common principles, indicative descriptors and indicators that may help in assessing and improving the quality of VET systems and VET provision. EQAVET can therefore be regarded as a ‘toolbox,’ from which the various users may choose those descriptors and indicators that they consider most relevant to the requirements of their quality assurance system.  

EQAVET supports the implementation of the 2020 recommendation on vocational education and training for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness, and resilience. The VET Recommendation describes how EQAVET can be used to strengthen the quality of initial and continuing VET and presents the complete EQAVET Framework.  

The EQAVET Framework can be used by VET providers and in VET systems to support the quality assurance of: 

  • Learning environments (e.g., school-based provision, work-based learning, apprenticeships, formal, informal and non-formal provision) 

  • All types of learning contexts (e.g., digital, face-to-face and blended) 

  • Public and private sector VET providers 

  • VET awards and qualifications at all levels of the European Qualifications Framework 

Click on the links below to find out more.

EQAVET governance and work programme

EQAVET aims to enhance the quality of vocational education and training programmes. Learn more about its’ governance arrangements, work programme and the work of the EQAVET Network.

EQAVET quality assurance cycle

The EQAVET Framework utilises the Deming Cycle, a four-stage process that helps VET systems and providers to improve their quality standards.

EQAVET at VET system level

The EQAVET Framework guides Member States to develop and improve their VET systems. Read more about the indicative descriptors and indicators at system level.

EQAVET at VET provider level

The EQAVET Framework can be used at VET provider level, depending different factors. Learn more about the indicative descriptors and indicators for VET providers.

EQAVET Framework

Are you interested in improving the quality of vocational education and training? Discover how the EQAVET Framework’s 10 indicators can help to enhance the quality of VET.

EQAVET National Reference Points

Visit the EQAVET National Reference Points page to find out more about EQAVET in Europe.

Virtual library

Access the EQAVET virtual library to find a range of studies, reports, policy briefs, and previous issues of the EQAVET newsletter.

National implementation  

The implementation of the 2020 Council Recommendation is supported by National Quality Assurance Reference Points (NRPs), that bring together relevant stakeholders at the national and regional level to: 

  • Implement and further develop the EQAVET Framework 

  • Inform and mobilise a wide range of stakeholders, including Centres of Vocational Excellence, to contribute to the implementation of the EQAVET Framework 

  • Support self-evaluation as one way to measure success and identify areas for improvement, including the digital readiness of VET systems and institutions 

  • Participate actively in the EQAVET Network 

  • Provide updated descriptions of the national quality assurance arrangements based on EQAVET 

  • Engage in EU level peer review to enhance the transparency and consistency of quality assurance arrangements, and to reinforce trust between Member States 

Together with national representatives from ministries and other responsible bodies, the NRPs are at the core of the European EQAVET Network. By working collaboratively, the EQAVET Network produces case studies and guidance on diverse ways to develop and improve the quality assurance of VET. Each year, the EQAVET Network organises a range of support activities, including an annual meeting, for those with an interest in the quality assurance of VET at the European level.  

EQAVET meetings 

The EQAVET work programme 2022/2023 includes the following meetings: 

Activities in 2023: 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘EQAVET Peer Review on VET teachers’ expertise for VET quality assurance: development, application and sharing’: Lithuania, 24-25 January 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘Quality assurance of VET curricula reform’: Bulgaria (online), 21 – 22 February 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘External view on the new Quality Management System for Austrian Schools (QMS), its design, the implementation and the transition from the previous QM system for VET schools (QIBB) to QMS’: Austria, 15-17 March 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘How to better respond to the training and skills needs of the labour market’: Belgium (FR), 23-24 March 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘The new EQAVET-based institutional VET quality management system (QMS)’: Hungary, 28-29 March 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘External quality assurance at provider level and at programme level: parameters and methodology’: Belgium (FL), 30-31 March 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘Improved self-evaluation on VET Provider level based on a critical attitude, involvement of and dialogue with stakeholders, transparency, use of data, occurring from a quality culture’: Netherlands, 17 – 19 April 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘QA of the mechanisms established for the quality assurance of the design, assessment and review of qualifications’: Romania, 25 – 26 April 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘Review and Assessment of a proposed QA Methodology concerning IVET Study Programs’: Greece, 4 – 5 May 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘Implementation of the new EQA Provider Manual of Procedures and provider’s self-assessment’: Malta, 16 – 17 May 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘Stakeholder involvement in the quality assurance on system level, especially the involvement of stakeholders into the evaluation process and monitoring on system level’: Slovenia, 31 May – 2 June 2023  

  • EQAVET Annual Network Meeting: Sweden, 15 – 16 June 2023 

  • EQAVET Peer Review ‘Evaluation of the EQAVET implementation process by the VET providers’: Portugal, 27 – 28 July 2023 

Previous activities in 2022 

View the list of the EQAVET Network events and activities in 2022

EQAVET Newsletter 

To stay informed with the latest news, information, and resources relevant to the EQAVET Network, subscribe to the EQAVET newsletter. 

Explore the past editions of the EQAVET newsletter by clicking on the links below:

28 September 2023

In September 2023, EQAVET concluded its first cycle of system-level Peer Reviews from 2022-2023, thanking the NRPs for their participation. They are preparing for the 2024-2026 cycle. The EQAVET Network held its Annual Network Meeting in June 2023, discussing Quality Assurance, digitalization, and EU policy updates. The 2022 Annual Network Survey showed EQAVET's wide adoption. Upcoming events include a webinar on Quality Assurance trends and EU-level events.

30 March 2023

The EQAVET Network has organized peer reviews on vocational education and training systems, and the European Commission has released a manual on conducting peer reviews, while launching the European Year of Skills website and a public consultation on the future of learning mobility.

15 December 2022

The EQAVET Network evaluated VET systems and published case studies, the European Commission declared 2023 the European Year of Skills, and Cedefop analysed the role of micro-credentials in the European labour market.

15 September 2022

The EQAVET Network discussed updates on the EQAVET Framework and EU policy, including micro-credentials and the green transition, while several activities such as peer reviews and initiatives to support young people in the labour market were scheduled.

Previous editions are available to view.  

Most Downloaded Resources from the EQAVET Virtual Library 

Discover the top 5 most downloaded resources from the EQAVET virtual library. Click to download or visit the virtual library for more content. 

TOP 5

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