Improving the Quality of Vocational Education and Training Through Establishment of Sectoral Centres of Excellence Operation (IQVETIII)
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Action /Activity: |
Action II. Education and Training Activity II.I. Improving the Quality of Education and Training |
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Title of the Operation: |
Improving the Quality of Vocational Education and Training Through Establishment of Sectoral Centres of Excellence Operation (IQVETIII) |
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Operation Number: |
TREESP2.1.IQVETIII |
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Implementation Period:
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Service component: 01.03.2021-31.08.2024 Grant component: 01.02.2022-30.04.2024 |
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Operation Beneficiary: |
Directorate General of Vocational and Technical Education (DG VET) in the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) |
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Website / Social Media Accounts:
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https://www.facebook.com/metekprojesi/ https://twitter.com/metekprojesi?s=11 https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/metekprojesi/ |
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Interventions and Estimated Results: |
The IQVET III Operation, which is implemented as a continuation of IQVET I and IQVET II Operations within the scope of the Human Resources Development Operational Programme (HRD OP), is composed of 41-months service (technical assistance), 3-months supply and 18-months grant components.
The Operation aims to: •provide activities on capacity-building for MoNE and its stakeholders, establishment and improvement of Sectoral Excellence Centres, and implementing awareness-raising activities under the service contract; • support the Sectoral Excellence Centers with equipment and materials by the supply component, • to implement support projects developed by grant beneficiaries under grant component Pilot provinces are İstanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa, Denizli, Antalya, İzmir, Adana, Sivas, Konya, Eskişehir, Trabzon, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Erzincan, Samsun, Tekirdağ, Kayseri, Afyonkarahisar, Gaziantep, Manisa, Çanakkale, Kırşehir, Zonguldak, Malatya and Ankara. |
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Current Situation: (End of July 2024) |
Under the service component: The service contract was signed on 23 December 2020. The contract was commenced on 1 March 2021. Opening event was held on 28 October 2021 with the participation of representatives from relevant public institutions and stakeholders. With the addendum signed on April 19, 2024, the implementation period of the project was extended to 41 months. Project logo, web site, social media accounts and other visibility materials were developed and approved.
Intervention 1 addresses the improvement and strengthening of the quality assurance system in VET, including the development and dissemination of quality mechanisms and tools. In support of this, the Core Working Group was established to prepare alternative models. To help facilitating its work an initial five-day training workshop was held in Ankara and 5-day training in an EU Member State (Italy) was organized. The final paper on different models on QA was prepared incorporating all the main findings collected during the training in Ankara and in the EU (A1.1). The fifth QCB meeting was held on 24 January 2024 where the proposal on ensuring sustainability of Quality Assurance Board has been discussed (A1.2) The report on the functioning of the QCB including recommendations for the post-project period was prepared and approved by the OB (A1.2.3). Meetings were held to establish Provincial Quality Assurance Boards and a meeting was held on 8 June 2023 in Ankara to receive feedback and identify issues for improvement in the QAS for VET (A1.3). Quality monitoring tools (the self-assessment mechanism used in VET schools) were finalized with a report produced and used as the basis for the implementation of training activities addressed to VET schools in pilot province (A1.4). Following the discussions held with Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Development Department (MEQDD), an IT expert has provided ad-hoc technical support for MEQDD’s self-assessment portal and submitted the revised web portal to the MEQDD. Trainings on quality monitoring tools and quality audit for staff of QDD and Quality Officers in DG VET have been delivered in Romania between 13-17 November 2023, and in Ankara between 18-22 December 2023 and 15-19 January 2024. (A1.5). 2 three-day workshops on development of a methodology for enabling sustainability of quality applications were delivered in Ankara on 2-4 October 2023 and 16-18 October 2023. A series of 3-day trainings to promote quality monitoring tools (A1.6.1), 3-day trainings on quality audits (A1.6.2) as well as one-day trainings on quality applications and EQAVET network (A1.6.3) were consecutively completed in 25 pilot provinces. Intervention 2 addresses the training of 3.000 teachers in VET pilot schools, in professional competencies of their respective sectors. Preparation for the training required a revision of the special field competencies. In this context, a training needs analysis (A2.1) study was conducted. Identification of training providers, design and development of OTJ training programmes, OTJ training implementation as well as training monitoring and evaluation were ongoing and synchronous processes was completed (A2.2). 2 one-day workshops were organised with the participation of Beneficiary and training providers in Ankara on 27 and 28 September 2023 (A2.2.2) The main purpose of the on-the-job training is to help teachers keep pace with the cutting-edge technology and developments in their occupational fields. The applications for on-the-job training events are accepted on a voluntary basis. Periodic and cumulative OTJ Training Monitoring and Evaluation Reports which include recommendations for feasibility and future sustainability has been developed. By the end of October 2023, 130 training events have been held and 2.819 participants (1.000 female and 1.819 male) out of 3.000 VET teachers have received on-the-job trainings in all 25 VET fields. Monitoring and Evaluation Reports were prepared for the trainings conducted (A2.3). Expert assignment process to prepare an impact assessment report for MoNE’s consideration during the further on-the-job training that MoNE could provide was completed and the Impact Assessment Report was produced (A2.4).
Intervention 3 supports the establishment of 15 Sectoral Centres of Excellence, through capacity building including training and study visits. A Study Visit for 5 officials assigned by the Ministry of National Education took place in Berlin/Germany and Madrid/Spain between 8-14 May 2022. An additional study visit for 4 officials assigned by the Ministry of National Education took place in Frankfurt from 25-27 April 2023. Study Visit programme as well as the briefing note were completed (Additional Activity 3.1). 2 three-day meetings and one two-day workshop were held with stakeholders (A3.2.2). Working manuals and sustainability plan under a sub-activity A3.2.4 in parallel with the workshops under sub-activity A3.2.5 have been developed To facilitate the establishment of SCoEs process, the SCoE Working Group was established. Four workshops were held in Eskişehir, İzmir, Ankara and İstanbul, and workshop reports were drafted (Activity 3.2.5). A final workshop for two days was held in Ankara on 18-19 July 2024 with the participation of 45 persons to discuss if there was a need to revise the guidelines and sustainability plan on the functioning of SCoEs (A3.2.6). On-the-job trainings were provided to eight groups of SCoE personnel between 1-12 July 2024 in Germany (Activity 3.3.1.1 and 3.3.1.2) to learn how SCoEs in the EU work and to observe new developments in their respective sectors The process for establishment of SCoEs and personnel assignment has been completed. The first adult training for SCoE personnel was held on 7 June 2024 in six provinces (Ankara, Antalya, Kocaeli, İzmir, Istanbul and Bursa) (Activity 3.3.2.1). The planning for 4 5-day trainings to be provided to SCoE personnel on topics such as planning, coordination and communication etc. has been conducted and expert assignment process was completed. Two three-day trainings were conducted in Bursa and İstanbul on 10-12 June and 22-24 July 2024 respectively to discuss operational management of SCoEs and partnerships that SCoEs may establish for training development. In addition, two digital training sessions were organized on 17-19 July and 29-31 July 2024 on Team Dynamics and Effective Communication (A3.3.2.2). The first round of 15 five-day on-the-job trainings for SCoE personnel started to be delivered on 27-28 June in their provinces. The second round of the OTJ trainings was scheduled to be held in August 2024 (A3.3.3). The first round of support and monitoring visits to the SCoEs was conducted on 25-26 July 2024. The second round of visits are planned to be held at the beginning of August 2024 (A3.3.4.2). The conference for sharing the SCoE system with the public is scheduled to be held in Ankara in August 2024 (A3.4). Intervention 4 has commenced with the mobilization of an expert team. This team has conducted the first round of 5-day pilot trainings of 3 programmes (Mathematics, Foreign Language and Science) in Ankara. In order to identify training needs of Foreign Language, Math and Science teachers working in secondary VET schools, a study was carried out through desk review and field research including focus group meetings and an online survey. The rollout of five-day trainings for all three programmes -namely Mathematics, Science and Vocational Foreign Language- has been successfully completed in all 25 pilot provinces. Based on outcomes, a 10-day ToT session was prepared and delivered with an aim to consolidate didactic competencies of future trainers (formatters) to be active part of SCoE operations (A4.5). With a view to ensure sustainability and dissemination of learning accomplishments, an implementation guide with video applications to be distributed to beneficiary target group has been designed. Preparations for the video application and guide were completed. Studies for academician assignments were completed An implementation guide including three videos on Vocational Foreign Language, Mathematics and Science was prepared and approved by OB (A4.4.1). Intervention 5, which is about the improvement of competences of education administrators in local level to monitor and evaluate education and training applications, has been realised through a desk study on good practices and literature review to develop a model and a guidebook for monitoring and evaluation of education training application at local level(A.5.1). A two-day workshop in Ankara was organised between 12-13 October 2023 for the discussion on possible models for a guidebook (A.5.2). In October and November 2023, three 2-day workshops on implementation of the guidebook were held in Eskişehir, İzmir and Antalya with 152 participants (35 females and 117 males) (A5.4). The content of the model and guidebook about monitoring and evaluating the education and training applications at the local level has been approved by the Beneficiary (A5.5). Under Intervention 6, the first batch of ten-day trainings on learning material development were held in Adana, Ankara, İstanbul, Eskişehir and Samsun. The training which had been scheduled to be in Hatay could not be completed because of the earthquake in February 2023 (A.6.1). The seven 5-day trainings in this scope were completed until the end of June 2024 (A.6.1). Under A.6.2, the competencies of teachers on development of educational materials and their capabilities for the use of newly emerged techniques have been developed during trainings delivered to course authors and designers during specific trainings with practical applications. During 25 two-day training sessions, teachers from 25 pilot provinces were addressed via a capacity building programme aiming to develop their capabilities for using the newly-emerged techniques including educational materials developed by MoNE (A.6.2). Intervention 7: The review on the existing system via desk study and 2 one-day meetings in Ankara and İstanbul aimed to get the views and expectations of stakeholders and the needs analysis for vocational guidance training have been conducted (A.7.1.2). A two-day workshop to define the content of the vocational guidance training programme for guidance teachers was carried out in Ankara (A.7.2.3). A report on different models of vocational guidance based on the feedback and knowledge gained from desk study (7.1.1) as well as meetings and workshops (7.1.2 and 7.2.3) was drafted (A.7.1.3). On the basis of the training needs analysis in 150 pilot schools, complemented with literature review, and following a two-day workshop, the content of the training programme with related parties were defined (A7.2.4). The training programme was implemented by a five-day training for teachers in pilot provinces on vocational guidance including special trainings for pilot implementation (A7.3.2) followed by 25 three-day trainings for teachers in pilot provinces (A7.3.1). To coordinate the pilot implementation of the vocational guidance training programme, field visits at all the 15 pilot schools in 8 provinces were completed. (A.7.1.4). 24 2-day monitoring visits which will be held to identify to what extent the training received was helpful for the teachers in terms of vocational guidance were completed until the end of June 2024 (A.7.4). A revised training programme was prepared in line with the outcomes of the desk study and workshop (A.7.5). Intervention 8 has commenced with a two-day meeting held for representatives of the MoNE Provincial Directorates of the 25 pilot provinces. A series of one-day information meetings for raising awareness on quality assurance, accreditation, EQAVET principles and networking were conducted in all 25 pilot provinces between June-December 2023 with a total of 1.725 participants (456 females and 1.269 males) (A8.1). The international conference on Quality Assurance and Modular Credit Passing Systems (A.8.2+9.2) was held on 29-30 May 2024. The design of the promotional materials on the existing quality application was approved and the Beneficiary has signed the Approval Request forms for the promotion kits (A.8.3). Intervention 9: The Forum and Exhibition were organised in Antalya between 21-22 November 2023 as awareness raising instruments. Direct participation of 450 persons, exhibition of technical achievements of VET schools, and broad dissemination in social media and press have contributed to awareness raising. The Forum motto was “Doors Opening to VET”. Topics related to European Year of Skills were covered in the panel sessions. The outcomes of the Forum organised in Antalya on the importance of VET are as follows: · Common understanding was created among stakeholders about the critical role that VET has played and will play in developing the new skills needed by the workforce to increase competitiveness. · It has contributed to raising awareness about the added value of Vocational Education. · Mechanisms to improve communication and coordination between private sector and VET actors were examined, consultation has been conducted on strengthening the cooperation between VET stakeholders and finding a common ground. The 25 one-day meetings about the importance of vocational education and training between May and June 2024 has been completed in July 2024 (9.3). Under Intervention 10, following the assessment of types of media and communication tools for promoting VET, a two-day workshop was organised in Ankara and the workshop report was drafted. This intervention will result in the development and distribution of communication toolkits, comprising media and tools developed for the promotion of vocational and technical education. The design of printed and promotional materials has been approved by the Beneficiary. The first, second and third public service announcements as well as one smart phone application, brochures and promotional kits have been approved by the OB. (A.10.2.1 and A.10.2.2). Under Intervention 11, the Concepts of the Competitions were defined in accordance with their role within the frame of European Year of Skills. The Concept Framework (Ideation) for Skills Contest covers test subjects under Sustainability and Green Jobs. Motivating the students to study in VET schools via knowledge/skills contests and exhibitions for VET secondary schools was beneficial in a very relevant way for increasing the awareness and publicity of VET among the public. The Skills Contest and the Knowledge Contest, addressed to all VET schools, have been completed with the Final Event organised in Ankara on 17 January 2024. The winner teams (i.e. 1st ranking in Skills Contest and the Knowledge Contest) from VET schools were awarded with study trips to one EU country. Prizes were presented also to the teams on ranking the 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The winning teams paid a study visit to Brussels in February 2024 (11.1.3 and 11.2.3). The Beneficiary has approved the €50 prize cheques given to 30 students who were within the runner-up teams (11.1.4 and 11.2.4) Under Intervention 12, the purpose of this Intervention is to provide parents with information that will enable them to advise their children when they choose a VET programme in line with their interests and skills. The pilot schools have used these meetings to guide parents towards taking a more active role in their children’s career choices. A central message was conveyed to underline the importance of parents for supporting their children’s independent career choices in a fast-changing world of work, and the multitude of opportunities that VET provides in this dynamic context. The target group consisted of parents of prospective VET students. The events were documented and communicated on social media as well as the project website. These information meetings have been held in 17 pilot provinces as of the end of January 2024. The meetings to be held in the remaining four pilot provinces were delivered in May and June 2024 (12.1). Intervention 13 will result in a piloting of a modular credit passing system. A desk analysis on credit modular system was conducted and two-day workshop was held in Istanbul to discuss and revise the concept note’s main findings. A concept note on the implementation of all activities under component 13 was drafted (C.13.1.1). A study visit lasting for 5 days was organised in Slovenia to observe the best practices in the EU Member States (C.13.1.3). Modular programmes in 15 fields were reviewed in line with the concept developed through a five-day workshop held in Gaziantep. The proposed model for the Credit Modular Passing System was piloted in 6 provinces and 15 schools. A guideline to review modular programmes in 15 fields and to evaluate the Learning Outcomes associated with MoNE learning programmes was prepared and submitted to the Beneficiary. Moreover, 15 modular programmes in 15 fields selected by the Beneficiary were reviewed and completed (C.13.2). 15 two-day trainings were conducted for teachers of 15 pilot schools on the agreed piloting concept (C.13.3). 45 two-day school visits to monitor pilot implementation at schools were completed at the end of May 2023 and relevant reports were drafted (C.13.4). A recommendation report on the implementation of Credit Modular Passing System was prepared and submitted in July 2023 and the relevant report was approved by the Beneficiary (C.13.5). Intervention 14: 25 one-day meetings to increase awareness of the sector representatives on e-graduate system in pilot provinces were conducted until the end of 2022 (D14.1). The promotional film increasing awareness on e-graduate system has been prepared. (D.14.2). The production of the promotional kit and visibility materials of e-graduate system has been completed following the approval of the Beneficiary and distribution ewas completed (14.3.1 and 14.3.2). As of the end of July 2024, the SMS package was activated and username and password information to log in to the panel to send the 1 million SMS to graduates was shared with the OB (D.14.4). Under grant component: Implementation of 18 grant contracts started on 01.02.2022. Management of Grant Projects Training was delivered between 16-18.02.2022 (for 2.5 Days). MoNE signed protocols with the grant beneficiaries for sustainability of the activities. Procurement trainings were held for grant beneficiaries on 16-17 May 2022. Participation to opening events of the projects was ensured and the first thematical and technical monitoring visits were completed. 1 grant contract has been terminated. Implementation periods of the remaining 16 projects ended as of 30.04.2024.
Under supply component Within the scope of this Operation 4 supply contracts have been signed. Implementation period of Lot 1 started on 28.11.2022 and it was finalised on 12.07.2023. Implementation period of Lot 2 started on 14.11.2023 and it was finalised on 04.04.2024. Implementation period of Lot 3 started on 17.11.2022 and it was finalised on 08.06.2023. In the Lot 4 contract, the implementation period started on 04.11.2022 and it was finalised on 04.04.2023. |