The quality of European vocational education is systematically developed through the EQAVET framework. The framework aims to support member states in implementing high-quality, competitive, and socially equitable education. According to the 2020 Recommendation of the European Council, vocational education should respond to changes in the labor market, promote inclusivity, and support the transition to green and digital economies.
EQAVET framework and national stakeholders
EQAVET does not prescribe a specific quality assurance system but provides common principles and indicative indicators for quality improvement. In Finland, EQAVET work is coordinated by the Finnish National Agency for Education (NRP) as the national quality management coordination point. Quality management development occurs in close collaboration with education providers, stakeholders, and other countries’ NRP points.
Implementation of EQAVET Recommendations by National Quality Assurance Reference Points (NRP)
The EQAVET network, formed by national quality assurance coordination points, promotes the implementation of EQAVET recommendations through active collaboration in quality management development. The European Commission guides this development, supporting network activities such as funding joint projects.
EQAVET NRP Project 2023–2026
The EQAVET NRP Project focuses on developing the quality of vocational education from 2023 to 2026. The project aims to enhance quality assurance and analysis methods, strengthen self-assessment, and promote peer learning at national and international levels. Key objectives and measures of the project include:
- Impact assessment model for curriculum development
→ Evaluation of changes beforehand and afterward as part of the development process. - Examination of equality in educational pathways
→ Examination of structural factors affecting learner equality. - Sustainability roadmap monitoring system
→ Definition of indicators and production of a situation report on educational providers’ actions. - Development of feedback system
→ Model for publishing analyzed student and workplace feedback on the oph.fi website.
Co-development Workshop on Digital Learning Environments
In May 2025, a co-development workshop on quality assurance of digital learning environments was held. The workshop was a key part of the EQAVET project’s international collaboration, bringing together vocational education experts from several European countries.
First Day (May 14, 2025) at the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) premises in Hakaniemi, Helsinki. Participants gathered in the lobby, followed by expert presentations. During the day, PhD Kari Kivinen (EUIPO) presented “Digitalisation in education and current AI-related topics,” examining the impact of AI and digitalization on education from a European perspective. Paula Kaukorinne, Digital Tourism Project Manager at South Savo Vocational College, introduced the Digital Tourism – Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in Tourism project, emphasizing the role of AI and digital technology in vocational education in the tourism sector. During the event, we also heard a greeting from Jarkko Niiranen, Director of Education, Training, and Competence at the Finnish National Agency for Education (OPH).
Throughout the day, we worked in different groups comparing the use of digital solutions in vocational education. In the workshop, we exchanged ideas, shared our own practices, and discussed potential future challenges. The work was productive and very rewarding.
Second Day (May 15, 2025) was held at Omnia’s premises on Kirkkokatu in Espoo. The day focused on practical workshops, peer learning, and collaborative development to ensure the quality of digital learning environments. The workshop began with an introduction by Iikka Upanne, COO of Omnia Education Partnerships Ltd. (OEP), about Omnia’s activities, followed by a brief tour of the campus’s various workspaces. After that, Oona Haapakorpi, Project Manager of the Promoting Sustainable, Inclusive, and Digital Vocational Education and Training (VET2Sustain) project, presented the results of the project, including the “VET2Sustain Survey – Current and Future Use of AI and XR in VET” report. She also presented the digital learning environments used at Omnia, including authentic virtual teaching materials. An example included a virtual learning game used by bakery students.
From the Finnish National Agency for Education, Riikka Vacker, Sanna Laiho (Counsellors of Education), and Tomi Ahokas (Chief Technologist) participated in guiding discussions, directing the course of the workshop, summarizing discussions, and clarifying workshop objectives from an international quality development perspective.
The workshop was attended by experts from several European countries, including Mr. José Ángel Del Pozo Florez, Head of Service in the Subdirectorate General of Evaluation and Quality of the System, from the Spanish Ministry of Education, VET and Sports; Ms. Irena Fričová, Project Manager of Digitalisation under the National Recovery Plan, National Pedagogical Institute of the Czech Republic; Ms. Kai Hermann, Director of Vocational Education and Training Assessment, Estonian Quality Agency for Education; Bjarne Andersen from the Danish Agency for Education and Quality; Gunilla Rooke from the Swedish National Agency for Education; and Jouko Luomi, Project Manager from the Austrian OeAD, OeAD Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation.
Topics discussed during the workshop included:
- Use of digital learning environments in teaching and learning
- Elements of quality in digital environments
- Digital assurance of teaching quality
- Integration of workplace collaboration into digital environments
- Utility of digital solutions in various learning situations
The workshop was part of Finland’s EQAVET project (2023–2026), aimed at improving the quality of vocational education in dynamic digital learning environments according to the EQAVET framework and European educational policy recommendations. Workshop outcomes will be published in English and shared with participants.
VET2Sustain: Digitalisation, Sustainability, and Inclusion in Vocational Education and Training in Europe
VET2Sustain is a project focused on strengthening the cooperation between Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools and the labor market across Europe. The project’s goal is to improve employment opportunities and professional skills by aligning VET practices with labor market needs.
Key objectives include creating a strong European network with a strategic vision for future cooperation, and establishing a robust communication platform. The project emphasises digitalisation, inclusion, green transition, and internationalisation in VET. It includes a series of events to engage students, work-life representatives, educators, policymakers, and potential students, aiming to increase the attractiveness and quality of VET in Europe. Funded by the European Union, the project will also develop an online platform for VET professionals, fostering resilience and adaptability in VET education.
Read more:
Finnish National Agency for Education (OPH). EQAVET National Reference Point Quality Management Project 2023–2026. https://www.oph.fi/en/education-and-qualifications/eqavet-national-reference-point-quality-management-project-2023-2026
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. EQAVET Governance and Work Programme. https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/skills-and-qualifications/working-together/eqavet-european-quality-assurance-vocational-education-and-training/eqavet-governance-and-work-programme_en