Governance and quality assurance of lifelong learning systems

Effective governance of vocational education and training (VET) systems helps countries respond to changing skills needs and labour market demands while maintaining quality and trust among learners and employers. Governance frameworks bring together institutions, policies, and partnerships that shape how education and training systems are designed, implemented and monitored. Strong governance supports inclusive lifelong learning systems, enabling people to develop relevant skills at all stages of their lives. 

In line with the European Skills Agenda and the EU Union of Skills, the European Training Foundation (ETF) supports its partners in aligning skills systems with labour markets, recognising governance as central to improving the performance and quality of education and training. Good governance of VET systems relies on:

• strong partnerships and cooperation between social partners, civil society organisations, education providers and other multi-level stakeholders
• robust institutional frameworks coordinating national, regional, sectoral and local actors, supported by clear legislation and transparent governance arrangements
• regular monitoring and evaluation of VET systems performance
• sustainable financing mechanisms for skills development and lifelong learning

How the ETF supports VET governance and skills systems reforms

We facilitate peer learning and partnerships to maximise multi-level stakeholder engagement:

• The GLAD (Governance, Learning, Action and Dialogue) Network - Launched in 2022, the Network is a peer learning platform for skills governance that brings together governmental stakeholders, practitioners, academics and social partners. It supports  policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and governance reform in vocational education and lifelong learning systems across EU neighbouring countries
• Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) play an increasingly pivotal role in skills governance and lifelong learning systems, connecting communities, training providers and policymakers. They help ensure inclusive access to skills development opportunities, particularly for disadvantaged and marginalised groups.
• ETF plays an active role in partnerships with European organisations such as Eurofound, Cedefop, and the European Economic and Social Committee to advance social dialogue and governance reforms. 

ETF governance tools and resources

The ETF has developed innovative concepts, tools and resources to support countries in assessing their governance and sustainable financing arrangements for VET. Specifically:

• Vocational education and training governance inventory
• Public-private partnerships – This valuable thematic overview provides a deep dive into examples of public-private partnerships for skills development from EU neighbouring countries, highlighting strengths, risks and lessons learnt
• Financing vocational education and skills development – This paper highlights the importance of investing in this policy area and the main challenges
• Assessing governance and financing of vocational education strategies – A methodology to support decision-making on financial assistance
• Training levies, incentives, and formula funding - A series of guideline documents on key aspects of financing
• A guide to the ETF Financing Prism – A tool for policy and social dialogue on vocational education financing

How the ETF supports quality assurance in VET systems

We work with our partners to ensure the concept of quality extends to all aspects of VET content and delivery. Learn more:

• Promoting quality assurance in vocational education and training: The ETF approach – This conceptual framework supports the development of a quality culture
• Forum for Quality Assurance in VET – This ETF forum supports members in improving quality across VET systems through peer learning and the exchange of practices, in line with the European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training Network (EQAVET).
• Key peer learning resources include Peer visit guidance and training manual and Policy brief on quality assurance learning
• Mapping EQAVET indicators – An instrument for mapping the understanding, relevance, coverage, usage and characteristics for data collection.

Supporting effective VET governance and quality assurance

Through peer learning networks, governance tools, and policy support, the ETF helps its partners strengthen the governance and quality assurance of vocational education and lifelong learning systems. This contributes to more responsive skills systems that lead to more inclusive economic development.