How to improve the quality of the TOI process in the EQARF framework?

An important tool for quality assurance of the WBL-TOI process is the EQARF (European Quality Assurance Reference Framework, Figure 1). The EQARF is a reference instrument to help Member States and VET providers to promote and monitor continuous improvement of their VET systems and/or VET provision based on common European references. A successful WBL-TOI process includes all phases of the EQARF (planning, implementation, evaluation, and review). The focus of this Manual is, however, on the planning phase of the transfer of innovation process. The planning phase refers to setting up clear, appropriate, and measurable goals and objectives in terms of policies, procedures, tasks and human resources for the WBL-TOI process. It includes a continuous improvement cycle for the TOI process.
 

According to the EQARF, it is very important for all relevant stakeholders to be involved in identifying specific local and individual needs for planning of work-based learning. The targets for work-based learning and for improving it will be set and monitored. The VET providers plan co-operative initiatives with other VET providers. The network of VET providers can join forces and try to identify common areas for improvement in work-based learning and good practices which match their circumstances. Co-operation is also important in the transfer of innovation process.

The planning phase of the TOI process also includes all those phases of the continuous improvement cycle: planning, implementation, evaluation and review. The organization has to decide on aspects such as who will take part in planning, how long it may take and who will take the initiative to implement the planning of the TOI process. It is also important to evaluate how successful the planning has been and how an organization can improve the planning process next time. Self-evaluation is one important tool for that.

A detailed description of the planning phase of the TOI process you find in section Planning the transfer.

• A successful WBL-TOI process includes all phases of the EQARF (planning, implementation, evaluation and review).
• The planning phase refers to setting up clear, appropriate and measurable goals and objectives in terms of policies, procedures, tasks and human resources for the WBL-TOI process. It includes a continuous improvement cycle for the TOI process.
• Although the focus of the TOI Manual is on the planning phase, it is crucial for the success of the WBL-TOI process to get an overview of the whole process even at the planning phase.

See also Key questions at different phases of the transfer process