Promoting quality, innovation and attractiveness of the VET system Jürgen Horschinegg Federal Ministry of Education, the Arts and Culture, Vienna, Austria Head of Department II/7, Strategy and Quality Development Franz Gramlinger Austrian Reference Point for Quality Assurance in VET Peer Learning Event 05 December 2012, Vienna
Outline for the next 30 minutes Where we start from I-VET in Austria Quality Quality Assurance and innovation Attractiveness A promotion at the end (if there is enough time)
Some quality numbers Austria in EU top 5, in OECD top 10 measured by GDP per capita Lowest unemployment rate in Europe: 4,5% (Eurostat June 2012) Low youth unemployment: 8,7% in 2009, now 9,9% Austria specialized in the high quality segments of industries Austria OECD no. 1 regarding VET-orientation of the education system Innovation and education intensive and medium intensive sectors are the backbone of Austrian economy >>> ~ 80% of any given cohort aged 14-18/19 in VET
4 out of 5 youngsters are in VET Distribution of students in year 10 of schooling 20% 38% 80 % in IVET Apprenticeship VET Schools VET Colleges Academic secondary 2 26% 16%
The Austrian Education System Overview Source: BMUKK/BMWF full-time part-time, Dual System
Apprenticeship: Vocational Schools Berufsschulen Combination of company-based training and part-time schooling 3,5 4 days/week practical company-based training, 1 1,5 days/week obligatory attendance of part-time school at school: 1/3 general education + 2/3 occupation-related theory Access requirement(s): completion of compulsory schooling Duration: 2 to 4,5 years (Financial) support for training companies simulated company training as an alternative route in case of a lack of apprenticeship placements Lehre mit Matura = Berufsreifeprüfung (no fees, combined with apprenticeship training)
VET Schools BMS Berufsbildende Mittlere Schulen Students aged 14 to 18 1 to 4 years of full-time schooling and school-based training complete VET for certain occupations thorough general education like BHS offered in various subject areas Does not grant access to HE Berufsreifeprüfung
VET Colleges BHS Berufsbildende Höhere Schulen 5-years full-time, school-based, highly specialised training 1/3 Vocational theoretical General Education thorough general education granting access to Higher Education 1/3 Vocational practical/applied (lab work, training firms, kitchens ) granting full vocational qualifications and access to reglemented professions Labour market relevance/ job perspectives (1950: 10.000 students; 2009/10: 135.533 students)
QUALITY is an issue in the EU and in AT
Our quality management system: QIBB ist the common framework for quality management encompassing all I-VET school types. QIBB includes all organisational levels (schools, school inspection, Ministry). QIBB is the common roof of the quality initiatives of the different school types in the I-VET sector. QIBB promotes the development of common strategies and offers sufficient scope for the particularities of the individual school types and schools. QIBB has been harmonised with nationally and internationally recognised quality management systems for educational institutions. QIBB takes account of EQAVET.
The Quality Initiative 2004-2012 development and implementation of a project architecture implementation of the quality cycle development of QM and evaluation tools and instruments (internet platform) parallel staff management/hr development self evaluation at school level management and performance reviews quality reports Peer Review in QIBB www.peer-review-in-qibb.at VET-CERT www.vet-cert.at 2004 2012
Some findings. 1. QM as a task of executive managers (managerial responsibility) 2. A more systematic approach is needed: plan do check act! 3. To further strengthen the feedback and evaluation culture, and an active involvement in QIBB 4. To provide and make use of evidence 5. QIBB meta-analyses 5 + 1 fields of activity 6. QIBB as a vehicle to support school reform projects and the implementation of reform measures
Quality as the basis for innovation Standards Curricula Teaching & assessment Final (university entrance) exams
Strengths of I-VET in Austria Apprenticeship Dual System combination of company-based training and part-time schooling (Berufsschule) has a long tradition in AT apprentices get a remuneration, companies train and educate their future staff permeability to HE increased VET Schools (BMHS Berufsbildende Mittlere Schulen) 1 to 4 years of full-time schooling and school-based training complete VET for certain occupations, ~ similar to Apprenticeship keeps the young people in the system VET Colleges (BHS Berufsbildende Höhere Schulen) 5-years full-time, school-based, highly specialised training with thorough general education granting access to Higher Education labour market relevance/ job perspectives SUCCESS STORY C C S Company School School S
Communalities of all VET schools Strong relation of theory and practice Work based learning (from 80 % in the company to an internship) General education is important Entrepreneurship (50 % of entrepreneurs come from the Dual System) Large variety and diversity of offers (250 professions in Dual System, 500 curricula in VET schools and colleges!)
Why it works Differentiated VET attractive for 80% of students in sec. 2 something for everybody! Well-structured apprenticeships integrating school- and workbased learning Smooth transitions from education to first employment Broad scope of VET: from safety net to high level technical training Wide range of progression routes at various levels no dead ends and good linkage between VET and tertiary education Social partner involvement at all levels (VET policy design, delivery)
How to make VET more attractive? not really a topic in Austria itis attractive (for 4 out of 5!) there is a long tradition (Dual System) a real success story since the 1970ies with full time vocational schools good job opportunities and employment rates As a matter of fact VET sector has to be innovative as there are permanent changes (VET schools and colleges complain about permanent innovation) Demography boosts competition for the young people -> good for quality! strong support and trust from society, industry and commerce and social partners
Why VET is attractive for the learners: good general education and specific training with good job opportunities many (direct) pathways to tertiary education good reputation in society for companies and industry: there are many qualified employees at young age they have infuence on curricula andausbildungsverordnungen? if they want they can train and educate their own apprentices
VET schools < > companies &industry they need each other they help each other
At the end. http://filme.berufsbildendeschulen.at
Thankyouforyourattention! Jürgen Horschinegg Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture Head of Department II/7: Strategy & Quality Development in VET Minoritenplatz 5 A-1014 Vienna Tel.: ++43 1 531 20 4424 E-mail: juergen.horschinegg@bmukk.gv.at Franz Gramlinger Austrian Reference Point for Quality Assurance in VET A Head of RQA-VET Ebendorferstraße 7 A-1010 Vienna Tel.: ++43 1 534 08 300 E-mail: franz.gramlinger@oead.at