Since our last newsletter in July, we have been working on several activities. After the 13 and 14 June EQAVET Annual Network Meeting (ANM) in Brussels, we published the ANM report. This event was a significant milestone that brought together over 100 participants to discuss the progress and future directions of the EQAVET Network. Moreover, as part of the EQAVET communication activities 2024-2026, the EQAVET Secretariat developed the EQAVET brochure. The aim of the brochure is to continue improving the visibility of the Network and to promote it as a source to support quality assurance in VET across the EU. The brochure provides an overview of the Network's goals and highlights the purpose, updated framework, and main activities. This document also explains EQAVETs role and why it’s important in 2024 and beyond, reminding stakeholders and target audience members of EQAVET’s relevance and strategic priorities.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to all EQAVET National Reference Points (NRPs) for their enthusiastic participation and engagement in the current second 2024-2026 Peer Review cycle. The ongoing Peer Reviews continue to strengthen the Network, fostering the exchange of recommendations among practitioners and enhancing knowledge in the field of VET. Since the conclusion of the first 2022-2023 Peer Review cycle in August 2023, we are pleased to have accompanied the organisation of the Slovak, German, Latvian, Bulgarian and Maltese Peer Reviews.

Looking forward, we are excited about the new cycle of activities and plans for the upcoming months, including developing the EQAVET Work Programme and defining the upcoming 2025 Peer Review dates and topics.

All in all, the EQAVET Secretariat will gladly keep supporting our shared efforts throughout the current 2024-2026 cycle. Thank you for your dedication, and we wish you a merry holiday break ahead!

Warm regards,

The EQAVET Secretariat

On September 25 and 26, the third EQAVET system-level peer review of the 2024-2026 cycle took place in Riga, Latvia. The event was hosted by the Latvian NRP, which is located at the State Education Quality Service. Six EQAVET Network members from Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Lithuania, and Serbia participated as peers, fostering discussions on good governance and quality culture at VET institutions in Latvia. Feedback from the peers will support the development and refinement of Latvia’s external evaluation system for VET schools, promoting the concept of learning organisations and a comprehensive quality culture.

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On 24 and 25 October, the fourth EQAVET peer review of the 2024-2026 cycle took place online, hosted by the Bulgarian VET Directorate of the Ministry of Education and Science. This event brought together EQAVET members from Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Hungary and Italy, together with the Bulgarian NRP, VET providers and Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs), who together delved into the role of CoVEs in Bulgaria's ongoing VET reform. Discussions focused on the functions of CoVEs, their role in the QA process, as well as measures to build their capacity to act as leaders and innovators at regional level.

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On 4 and 5 December, the last peer review of 2024 was hosted by the Maltese Further and higher Education Authority (MFHEA) in an online format. EQAVET Network members from Belgium-fr, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Romania joined the MFHEA to provide feedback and insights on the newly developed Accreditation Manual for Further Education Institutions/Centres (FEIs). 

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In July, the European Commission adopted the political guidelines for the 2024-2029 mandate, which focuses firstly on strengthening Europe's sustainable prosperity and competitiveness. A key aspect for the coming years will be addressing skills and labour gaps across Europe. The Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, will lead the establishment of the Union of Skills. This initiative will invest in adult and lifelong learning, fostering skills retention, and recognise of various types of training that enables people to work across Europe. Within this overarching strategy, the Commission also intends to give VET prominence by proposing a European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training. The new mandate will also develop the Skills Portability Initiative to foster the recognition of skills and qualifications acquired between countries, including scaling up the work on recognition of qualifications.

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Cedefop is gearing up to launch an exciting new study in 2025, focusing on ensuring quality in formal continuing VET (CVET). This initiative aims to inform key stakeholders and spark discussions on the importance of quality assurance within and across  other European initiatives that aim to strengthen CVET such as the 2022 Council Recommendation on individual learning accounts (ILAs), 2022 Council Recommendation on micro-credentials, EU skills agenda, 2016 Council Recommendation on Upskilling Pathways. Despite numerous efforts and ambitious targets, adult participation in lifelong learning remains low across the EU. Many countries are still struggling to meet the 50% target of adults with a learning experience in the last 12 months, as set out in the European Skills Agenda by 2025. Alarmingly, those who need upskilling the most—such as individuals with low qualifications, from poorer backgrounds, migrants, and older adults—are the least engaged in learning and are at a higher risk of social exclusion.

Quality assurance has always been a cornerstone of European VET cooperation, with the EQAVET framework established back in 2009. According to the 2022 EQAVET Survey, while 22 EU countries have developed national quality assurance approaches for CVET, many still need to consolidate their QA systems and reduce fragmentation. The forthcoming Cedefop study will delve into the evolving landscape of formal CVET, including the increasingly blurred boundaries between CVET and IVET, and the rise of various types of (micro)credentials. This study will explore how these trends are influencing QA arrangements, the extent to which and how formal CVET is systematically supported by QA arrangements, and the extent to which learning outcomes approaches are used to foster trust between different learning methods and providers. Stay tuned for more updates on this pivotal study and its implications for the future of VET in Europe!

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19 - 20 March 2025 Online Peer Review on methodology and indicators for monitoring and evaluating public policies in the field of initial professional training (Romania)

26 - 27 March 2025 Online Peer Review on VET graduate tracking (Hungary)

3 - 4 April 2025 Face-to-face Peer Review on developing a culture of quality in schools through effective organisational strategies and leadership (Serbia)

15 - 16 April 2025 Face-to-face Peer Review on quality assurance in CVET: developing and strengthening measures and processes (Lithuania)

15 - 16 May 2025 (date tbc) Face-to-face Peer Review on training and skills needs of the labour market and link with EQAVET indicators (Belgium-fr) 

22 - 23 May 2025 Face-to-face Peer Review on QA arrangements and measures in VET: regional polices and strategies (Italy)

12 - 13 June 2025 EQAVET Annual Network Meeting, Warsaw (Poland)