Driving Quality in VET
The State Vocational Education Institute (ŠIOV) in Slovakia is taking a major step towards quality improvement by implementing the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) as an internal quality assurance system. This initiative is part of the national project Introduction of Quality Management in VET and Adult Education, funded by ESF+, through which ŠIOV supports the development of a quality culture among vocational and adult education providers.
ŠIOV’s Journey towards Excellence
As a key institution in vocational education and a public sector institution, ŠIOV aims to enhance strategic management and efficiency through this European quality model. Following an internal self-assessment, the institute will undergo an external evaluation in March 2025 to apply for the Effective CAF User label.
CAF provides a structured yet flexible approach to quality management and is widely used in public sector institutions across Europe. It supports continuous improvement, self-assessment, and external evaluation by peer teams, helping institutions refine processes and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders. Some EU countries, such as Austria and Portugal, have adopted CAF as a standard practice, while others integrate it with national quality models.
Self-Assessment as a Basis for Change
As the national coordinator of vocational education, ŠIOV is setting an example for other organizations in the sector by implementing an internal quality assurance system. The self-assessment phase identified both strengths and areas for improvement, leading to the development of targeted action plans. The institute is also actively working on implementing process management within the organization CAF has also supported the development of social responsibility and established new rules for external and internal communication. ŠIOV is currently working on its first social responsibility strategy and planning activities to strengthen its role as a responsible public institution.
ŠIOV’s experience with CAF demonstrates how public vocational education institutions can systematically enhance their performance through quality assurance.
ᝰ🖋️ Author of the article: Gabriela Budayova, Communication and Social Media Coordinator | State Vocational Education Institute (ŠIOV)
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