Project of Presentation

The SME-QUAL project aims to improve the quality of training systems for SMEs, by incorporating the ECVET provisions foreseen in the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the ECVET system.

In particular, the project will provide operational European Guidelines and methods for the implementation of ECVET provisions in the VET programmes, for the SMEs.

Innovative character of the project:

1.
The strong collaboration between the VET actors (Universities and Training Organisations), and the employers and social partners will be concentrated on developing Methodologies and Guidelines for the definition of trans-sectoral Qualifications, in particular for raising awareness and for facilitating the application of ECVET and ECTS (and EQF & EQAVET) on the qualifications for SMEs, which will be co-owned by a variety of stakeholders.

2.
The developed Handbook will be practically tested by designing the qualification prototype for Planning and Recruiting Expert which will be defined in accordance with the Handbook, in order to validate it and to provide a concrete example of the benefits and impact of its implementation.

3.
In order to support the ECVET application, the project will also provide quality standards for the ECVET implementation and related assessment methods & tools.

Link sito Progetto SME_QUAL

Activities and Results

The project sets the following concrete objectives:

Analyse the existing experiences and good practices in designing trans-sectoral qualifications for the SMEs, in units of LOs and with the attribution of ECVET points, in three partner countries (BE, IT, PL).

Develop the 'European Handbook for the LOs based Qualifications for SMEs', which will include operational methods and guidelines for defining trans-sectoral learning outcomes based qualifications for the SMEs.

Test the 'European Handbook for the LOs based Qualifications for SMEs' on a qualification prototype: HR Planning & Recruitment Expert.

Define and test quality standards for the ECVET implementation within trans-sectoral SMEs qualifications.

Brochure SME_QUAL Project (917 KB)

Lifelong Learning Programme

With the support of the Leonardo da Vinci Programme of the European Union. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Management

Leader: Effebi Association

WP objectives:

To set up the internal management system to co-ordinate the working bodies: decision-making, operative and consultant bodies
To co-ordinate the day-to-day running and management of the Project and to ensure the Project's contractual obligations are carried out planned objectives are achieved
To build a monitoring approach supporting continuous improvement of methods and processes as well as providing help for corrective actions whenever - and as quick as - needed
To establish adequate procedures and corrective measures in case of delayed development of outcomes or in case of inappropriate partner performance;
To implement specific mechanisms and tools to ensure an appropriate flow of communication between partners
To establish adequate reporting structures and procedures to ensure the transparency of Project activities and results both internally and externally;
To efficiently manage budget and efforts at Project level and ensure efficient use of resources to achieve Project objectives.

Evaluation and Quality Assurance

Leader: IFB Portugal

WP objectives:

Accompanying Project management with a continuous, ongoing monitoring and assessment of processes and products (outputs);
Assessing the match between expected results and achieved results, also considering the resources used (efficiency) and the impact of the intervention on the target groups (effectiveness), responding to a summative purpose concerning external evaluation;

Assessing the management style, the modalities according to which work is being carried out, and the respect of quality criteria, also providing corrective measures, in response to operational purposes;

Assessing which are the critical factors at the origin of the success or of the failure of the Project activities.

Analysis phase

Leader: Eurocadres, Confapi


This WP aims to identify existing methodologies and good practices for designing trans-sectoral qualifications for the SMEs. Moreover, the analysis will also help the Consortium to identify the needs and gaps to be addressed, and to collect recommendations for designing qualifications in terms of LOs and with the attribution of ECVET points.

European Handbook

Leader: Confapi


The Consortium will concentrate on the application of ECVET as the key new driver of change for trans-sectoral qualifications for the SMEs. Operational methods and guidelines for the definition of ECVET compliant qualifications will be developed.

In order to make it compliant with the real needs and gaps and with the national and European VET systems, partners will develop the Handbook which will include operational procedures for assessment, transfer, validation and accumulation of learning outcomes achieved in formal, informal and non formal contexts.

ECVET Quality standards

Leader: Effebi Association


The Consortium will define the '10 ECVET quality standards', which will represent a sectoral benchmark for the VET providers working with the SMEs and will also represent an evaluation and monitoring instrument for further improvements of the ECVET application.

The standards will refer both to the ECVET technical requirements and to national policies and contexts.

Moreover, concrete methodology and tools will be designed for offering the possibility to assess the compliance of qualifications for SMEs with the ECVET requirements and quality standards.

Testing phase

Leader: University Roma Tre, Supporters: EAPM, PAIZ


This workpackage will:
Promote the Handbook within the SMEs for increasing the awareness on ECVET provisions and benefits of its implementation.
To test the applicability and efficiency of the Handbook in the in the VET programmes for SMEs.
To provide a concrete example of qualification in line with ECVET technical specifications, designed according to the Handbook, developed within the project (HR Professional).

Dissemination

Leader: Effebi Association, Supporter: EAPM


WPs' objectives:
To plan the dissemination strategy and actions of the project.
To develop the project's dissemination infrastructures & materials.
To implement and assess the project's dissemination activities.

List of Partner organisations

Project Applicant
UNIVERSITY ROMA TRE
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Project Coordinator
FB
Finance & Banking
Associazione per lo Sviluppo Organizzativo e delle Risorse Umane

EAPM
EUROCADRES
CONFAPI - Confederazione italiana della piccola e media industria privata
PAIZ KONSULTING
IFB - Instituto de Formacao Bàncaria. The Portuguese Bank Training Institute

Contact us

GIUDITTA ALESSANDRINI
Responsible

Tel.: (+39) 06/57339231 - (+39) 06/57339558
Mail.: giuditta.alessandrini@uniroma3.it


ANNALISA BIONDO
Research

Tel.: (+39) 06/57339558
Mail: annalisa.biondo@uniroma3.it