ISATCOVE - The International Self-Assessment Tool for Centres of Vocational Excellence

ISATCOVE is the international self-assessment tool for Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) to enhance the standards of vocational education and support institutions on their vocational excellence journey. It has been developed by the EU-funded Internationalising Vocational Excellence project and is based on the European concept of vocational excellence. It provides a clear and comprehensive framework to assist vocational skills providers in collecting and interpreting relevant evidence against criteria related to vocational excellence.  

The ISATCOVE tool is more than just an online platform—it's a comprehensive process designed to guide CoVEs through a structured journey of self-assessment and continuous improvement. By engaging with ISATCOVE, centres are not simply filling out an assessment but participating in an ongoing and iterative process that helps the centre to identify strengths, address gaps, and align more closely with industry and societal needs and EU standards. The ISATCOVE framework helps educational organisations develop a shared understanding of their vocational excellence profile. 

The tool is suitable for various types of skills providers, accommodating diverse contexts and stages of development.  

What is the framework of ISATCOVE?  

ISATCOVE provides a comprehensive framework consisting of 23 criteria categorised into three dimensions:  

• Teaching and Learning
• Partnership and Cooperation
• Governance and Funding.  

Each of the criteria describes an element of vocational excellence. The 23 criteria are further elaborated by 577 indicators, enabling VET providers to systematically collect and analyse relevant evidence for assessment. This structure helps VET providers plan their development and make informed assessments of their own performance. A centre implementing ISATCOVE can make a selection of criteria and indicators based on its context and the objective of the self-assessment.

The criteria and indicators are designed to reflect vocational excellence at an international level. ISATCOVE supports international comparisons, the sharing of practices and collaboration.  

What are the core features of ISATCOVE?  

ISATCOVE is designed to support VET providers through a comprehensive self-assessment process that enhances their understanding of vocational excellence, both locally and internationally. It enables VET providers to engage in a structured assessment, focusing on crucial areas such as teaching quality, governance and collaboration. This process allows institutions to evaluate their current practices against global benchmarks, fostering a deeper understanding of their position within the wider spectrum of vocational excellence. 

ISATCOVE facilitates comparative analysis, making it easy for VET providers to compare their practices with peers both nationally and internationally. Providers can measure themselves against the average VET provider in their country, organisations of similar size, those in the same sector, or even the top self-assessed VET providers. 

ISATCOVE promotes an evidence-based and data-driven approach, guiding VET providers in collecting and analysing data. This process helps them create well-informed development plans and make data-driven decisions to improve their educational and operational standards. 

ISATCOVE encourages the sharing of good practices, serving as a rich repository of proven approaches and successful implementations. This process can inspire and guide similar institutions towards enhanced educational outcomes. 

Interested in using ISATCOVE?

VET providers can begin working with ISATCOVE by contacting ETF at the following email address: intve@etf.europa.eu.​ ​ETF also organises several information sessions for VET providers interested in using ISATCOVE.