Project and Services for VET Providers
Leonardo Projects, seminars and consulting services for VET-providers by the FNBE
Leonardo-project “Quality in VET-schools”
The main goal of the Leonardo-project is to promote the culture of self-evaluation and Quality Management in vocational schools and institutions by promoting the use of EFQM Excellence model, by developing innovative management methods and tools, and by exchanging experiences and good practices in planning and evaluation. The project is composed of three elements having EFQM framework as general common background; EFQM –indicators, Balanced Scorecard-process and Accreditation model application. The main activities include the development of indicators based on EFQM framework and covering major areas of EFQM. In addition, the project aims at producing a general model of BSC-process for vocational schools as well as accreditation model for hotel and catering field. All products are finally published via web-based Learning Forum. Coordinator is Finnish National Board of Education. In the project there are partners from Austria, Finland, Germany and Hungary.
Leonardo-project “Peer review as an instrument for quality assurance and quality development in initial VET in Europe –Exchange of experience and development of a European manual”
The project aims at introducing a new instrument for quality assessment and development, Peer review, to the initial VET sector throughout Europe. Peer review is a form of external evaluation carried out by peers, “critical friends”, who also visit the reviewed institution during the evaluation process. Peer reviews have a long tradition within the higher education sector. The project will transfer and adapt Peer Reviews as a quality instrument to the VET sector. European Peer review manual will be developed and tested in a pilot implementation phase. The multi-actor partnership of 22 partners comprises various institutions: VET-providers, research institutions, public authorities, social partners, enterprises. They come from eleven European countries. Finnish National Board of Education is a co-ordinating partner responsible for national network in Finland. Coordinator is Österreichisches Institut fur Berufsbildungsforschung (öibf).
Leonardo – project “Survey of Leonardo projects related to Quality Management”, National Call for proposals, 1.12.2005- 30.6.2006
The aim is to chart, collect and analyse results from projects related to quality management and exchange the experience and good practices. Another aim is to anticipate future needs related to enhancing international co-operation in quality management of vocational education and training.
Quality conference, seminars and consulting services for VET-providers
There are several ongoing important pilot projects regarding Quality Management in Finland most of which are national like those mentioned already earlier or different EU-projects. Quality Assurance in VET-conference - Exchange of good practice and institutional co-operation was one of Leonardo-project by FNBE. The aim of the conference was to promote the exchange of good practices and institutional co-operation in Quality Management and Assurance and in the use of the CQAF-model by promoting the use and the implementation of the CQAF-model at different levels of vocational education and training as a reference model, and by the exchange of good practices and institutional co-operation in Quality Assurance.
The yearly quality seminar provides information and disseminates activities, at the national and local level. Its aim is to promote the exchange of good practice and institutional co-operation in Quality Management and evaluation of education, and dissemination of the principles of the CQAF-model and the tools, and of quality indicators. Involved in the seminars are Quality Management experts, representatives of labour, teacher and student organizations, VET-providers, Ministry of Education, colleges, teachers, and principal enterprises. Furthermore, at the national level there are yearly a number of consulting projects on Quality Management such as internal and external audits for the education providers.