This document outlines the Expand Quality Assurance in VET project. The project aims to develop quality assurance in vocational education and training through promoting self-evaluation, quality benchmarking, and networking. It will transfer and adapt an online benchmarking tool from Greece to 4 other countries. It will also translate and develop national language versions of the BEQUAL thematic portal on quality assurance in VET. The project involves piloting the adapted benchmarking tool, updating and managing the portal, and disseminating results. The expected outcomes include an adapted online benchmarking tool, national portal versions, reports on piloting, and expanding the network of stakeholders.

1. EXPAND QUALITY ASSURANCE IN VET (BENCHMARKING TOOL)
LLP-LdV-TOI-2012-LT-0117
Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts
Project manager Ausra Giedriene

2. Project partners
 P0- Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and
Crafts, LT.
 P1- IDEC SA, EL.
 P2- Norton Radstock College, UK.
 P3 - Kaunas Vocational training centre for Service
Business Specialists, LT.
 P4 - Uniwersytet Lodzki, Wydzial Zarzadzania, PL.
 P5 - BEST Institut fur berufsbezogene
Weiterbildung und Personaltraining GmbH, AT.

3. Type of transfer
The project will transfer good practice from
previous Leonardo da Vinci development of
innovation project 142211-LLP-1-2008-1-GR-
LEONARDO-LMP, which have been successfully
implemented in 6 EU countries (France, Greece,
Germany, Romania, Spain and Switzerland) in
the period 2008-2010. The project transfers
innovative content to four EU countries
(Lithuania, Austria, Poland and United Kingdom).

4. Aims of the project:
 Develop quality assurance in VET through promotion of
self-evaluation, quality benchmarking and networking in
VET.
 To promote the use of European Quality Assurance
Reference Framework (EQAVET) and CQAF.
 To allow practical application of the quality assurance
framework in VET through the use of online
benchmarking tool and good practice database.
 To promote international cooperation and exchange of
experience through enhancement of thematic portal in
quality assurance and expanding the Community of
Practice.

5. Project objectives:
 To transfer, adapt and pilot the benchmarking tool from
Greece to Lithuania, Austria, Poland and United
Kingdom.
 To develop the Lithuanian and Polish language versions
of the thematic portal.
 To enrich all national versions of thematic portal of with
various content, documents, links, articles, videos.
 To collaborate in networks and disseminate and
promote the benchmarking tool at regional, national and
European level.

6. Project outcomes:
 - On-line benchmarking tool, which offers VET institutions the possibility to
compare their quality processes and practices and to identify their strong
points and processes to be improved compared to competition. The core of
the benchmarking tool is a multiple choice questionnaire to be filled in by
VET providers.
 - Web based quality sharing network and good practice centre establishing
Community of Practice (CoP) in the field of quality assurance in VET.
Establishment of CoP involves also a series of networking activities for VET
stakeholders and practitioners, blogging in the thematic portal, creation of
profiles over facebook and twitter.
 - Thematic multilingual portal on quality assurance in VET, hosted in the
address www.bequal.info. The portal includes the following functions:
Online benchmarking tool, good practice centre, statistics, blogs, news and
news feeds, links, library, resources and articles, polls, on-line login module
and information on the project.

9. WP1 Management
package leader -KPPAR
 To ensure that the project is set up correctly and planned
activities are undertaken successfully
 To agree consortium partnership arrangements
 To properly establish all key management functions
 To ensure that project tasks are coordinated and
managed to meet the aims of the project, on time, within
the budget
 To ensure that all partners have a clear and confident
understanding of their responsibilities and of the timing
of detailed

10. WP1 Management
• To maintain and employ effective and transparent
management system throughout the project
• To establish the framework for ongoing
Intellectual Property of products / outcomes
arising from project (art.14, contracts between
beneficiary and the partners)
• To ensure that the Interim and Final Reports are
produced with full participation of partners
• To ensure compliance with all rules of the
programme and liaison with National Agency

11. WP1 Management
Project monitoring will be facilitated with:
 continuous e-mails exchange between partners and
updates on tasks execution;
 comprehensive interim and final reports.
Financial monitoring will be facilitated with:
 Development of effective financial monitoring
mechanisms
 Development and distribution of forms and tools for
financial reporting

12. WP1 Communication tools
 Between partners: • Establishment of effective
communication channels (skype, facebook and created
thematic portal), telephone communication and partners
meetings (all partners host one of the 5 partner meetings
- they will serve as a checkpoint for tasks, deadlines and
results achieved).
 External communication: press articles, workshops,
seminars, newsletter, mailing list, information brochures,
website, networking activities..)

13. WP2 Transfer and adaptation of benchmarking
tool for quality assurance in VET,
package leader -University of Lodz
Aims:
 to study the state of play on quality
assurance in VET (info from 4 countries)
 to translate and adapt the benchmarking
tool according to the national characteristics

14. A “State of Play study on Quality Assurance in VET” will include the
recent developments at European level (EQARF recommendation,
EQAVET, new studies publications) and the developments at
national level in the four importing countries. The study will be based
on desk research; most of the resources are being available in the
internet, in the Cedefop website, Virtual Community on Quality
Assurance, EQAVET network web-site, web-site of DG Education
and Culture. The study will be led by the University of Lodz, while
all partners will contribute with short reports on the developments at
national level. If necessary, the partners will approach the policy
makers and stakeholders in the field of quality assurance in VET to
get the most updated information. The University will coordinate this
action by providing guidelines and interview grid.
Following the state of play study, there will be the adaptation of the
benchmarking tool to the importing countries (Austria, Lithuania,
Poland and UK). IDEC as exporting partner transferring (exporting)
innovation provides methodological support and guidance in the
process of adaptation. UoL defines the timetable for delivery of
translated and adapted items, resolves questions and doubts online.
As manager and administrator of the BEQUAL portal, IDEC is
responsible for launching the adapted tool online.

15. Results: 1 (deadline 01-03-2013)
 A “State of Play study on Quality Assurance in
VET” (developments in the field of quality
assurance in VET at European and participating
countries levels. Developments in EQARF and
EQAVET, legislation, regulatory and institutional
arrangements, policies and practices in the
participating countries).
 Languages: EN
 Text

16. Results: 2 (deadline 01-06-2013)
 Adapted benchmarking methodology and 4
questionnaires (provides the theoretical and
methodological background for the
benchmarking of good practices in the field of
quality assurance in VET, it includes description
of other benchmarking tools and finally proposes
the questionnaires for the benchmarking).
 Languages: LT, PL, EN, DE.
 Text

17. Results: 3 (deadline 01-06-2013)
 On-line benchmarking tool (The on-line
benchmarking tool will be based on the
benchmarking questionnaire and
developed on the existing thematic portal
www.bequal.info using php programming).
 Languages: LT, PL, EN, DE.
 WEB

18. WP3 Translation and adaptation of the
thematic portal
package leader –Norton Radstock College
Aim- To develop new language versions of the BEQUAL
thematic portal, namely Lithuanian and Polish
 Identification and preparation of web-portal parts that
need to be translated (sections, modules, contents)
(IDEC)
 Translation of core information of BEQUAL portal on
national languages (KPPAR, UoL)
 Development of new national versions containing
information of national interest (NRC, KAUPA-LIPRIA,
UoL, BEST)

19.  The idea of the EXPANDVET project is to expand the thematic
portal (www.bequal.info), developed in the previous BEQUAL
project. The portal includes the following functions: online
benchmarking tool, good practice centre, statistics, blogs, news and
newsfeeds, links, library, resources and articles, polls, on-line login
module and information on the project. The national versions are not
identical with the English one. The core information is the same, but
national versions include additional information of national interest,
such as articles, links, documents, news, etc. Postings in the blog
are in national languages.
 The partners importing innovation translate the core information
which is common for all language versions.
 The partners importing innovation create new national versions,
containing information of national interest.
 The partner exporting innovation (IDEC) provide administrative and
technical support for uploading the new content.

20. Results: 4 (deadline 01-06-2013)
 National versions of the thematic portal (The national
versions of the thematic portal www.bequal.info will be
placed in the same internet address, with the aim to
increase the scope of the portal from 6 to 10 countries
with the vision to further expand it in all Member States.
Lithuanian and Polish languages will be totally new for
the portal. Already existing portal in German language
(Germany's portal) and English language (not country's
portal) will be enriched by national versions for UK and
Austria.)
 Languages: LT, PL, EN, DE.
 WEB

21. WP4 Management, administration
and update of the thematic portal
package leader -IDEC
 To manage and administrate the thematic portal
- issuing of partners and authoring accounts,
administrating members, creating new sessions,
managing link of the portal to social media
 To update the thematic portal with various
content, documents, links, articles, videos
 To expand the collection of good practices

22.  Management and administration of
BEQUAL portal (IDEC)
 Update of the web-content (all partners)
 Link of the portal with social media (IDEC)
 Selection, evaluation and publication of
good practices (all partners)
WP4 Management, administration
and update of the thematic portal,

23. IDEC is responsible for the management and administration of the BEQUAL
thematic portal. This includes the following activities:
 Management of user accounts at different levels (partners, authors, VET
centres - benchmarking tool users)
 Management of web-portal structure and functionality – creating new
sessions, modules, categories
 Technical administration and support
 All partners are responsible for the continuing update of the web-content
with news, documents, links, articles, videos, etc. related to quality
assurance in VET. Each partner will have the responsibility for one or more
categories of web-contents for the common English version and furthermore
the responsibility to update the national version with relevant news and
information and to maintain the blogs session in the national language.
 IDEC will mobilise the presence of the project to social media:
 Continuous update of the facebook account:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111030802291228&v=wall
 Short news on twitter account: https://twitter.com/#!/bequalproject
 Develop presence in linkedin and creation of a network for Quality
Assurance in VET
 The partners importing innovation create preconditions for expansion of the
good practice collection by translating and adapting the good practice
template and instructions. Submitted good practices are uploaded after
selection and evaluation for originality, efficiency, simplicity and facility to
use.

24. Results: 5 (deadline 01-06-2013)
 Thematic portal (The thematic portal
www.bequal.info will be continuously updated
with new contents in both the English version
and in the national versions. The different
contents of the portal are: articles, blogs,
documents, links, videos, interviews, good
practices, news).
 Languages: LT, PL, EN, DE.
 WEB

25. WP5
Piloting of the benchmarking tool
package leader- KAUPA
Aims
 To test application of the adapted benchmarking
tool in the 4 new countries
 To re-evaluate and improve the benchmarking
tool for VET providers
 To determine the short term impact of each of
the results and/or products during the
development of the project, with the aim of
taking necessary corrective actions.

26. WP5
Piloting of the benchmarking tool
 Translation of the evaluation questionnaire on the
national languages of importing countries (KAUPA-
LIPRIA, UoL)
 Determining schedules for the piloting actions in all
partner countries (KAUPA-LIPRIA)
 Pilot actions (NRC, KAUPA-LIPRIA, UoL, BEST)
 Drafting reports on pilot activities (NRC, KAUPA-LIPRIA,
UoL, BEST)
 Determining final versions of the benchmarking tool for
VET providers (NRC, KAUPA-LIPRIA, UoL, BEST)

27. Piloting activities in all countries will have the following phases:
 translation of evaluation questionnaire
 familiarization with the benchmarking tool and applications
 organization of workshops for presenting the benchmarking tool
 collection of minimum 20 benchmarking questionnaires per country
in order to launch on-line the benchmarking tool
 starting up an evaluation procedure, following guidelines and
procedures developed
 after piloting and collection of feedback from VET institutions, the
adapted benchmarking tool will be improved, reflecting the
comments and suggestions received. The final versions of the
products will be released.

28. Results: 6 (deadline 01-03-2014)
 Reports on pilots (The reports on the pilots
will include methodology, organizations
participating in the piloting, evaluation
questionnaire and results).
 Languages: EN
 TEXT

29. Results: 7 (deadline 01-03-2014)
 Adapted on-line benchmarking (The
adapted benchmarking tool is the result of
the revision of the tools following the
pilots, encompassing end-user comments
and evaluation results).
 Languages: LT, PL, EN, DE.
 WEB

30. WP6 Dissemination and
exploitation
package leader – Kaunas CCIC
Aims
 To expand the network of the BEQUAL portal users and visitors
 To expand sharing of information, knowledge and experience
related to quality assurance in VET
 To raise awareness among target sectors
 To disseminate aims and results regionally, nationally and
internationally
 To facilitate mainstreaming, transfer and dissemination of results
 To facilitate opinion exchange about quality assurance in VET
 To ensure sustainability and correct use of results
 To strengthen and enhance the impact of the project on VET quality
assurance policies and practices

31. WP6 Dissemination and
exploitation
 Elaboration of valorisation strategy (all)
 Design of project corporate image and brochure (KPPAR)
 Re-design and development of project web site (IDEC)
 Translation of brochure into partner languages (KPPAR, NRC, UoL,
BEST)
 Creation of stakeholders networks (all)
 Utilisation of all available networks and events to publicise benefits
and potential opportunities arising from the project (all)
 Valorization seminars (all)
 Project Newsletter (KPPAR)
 Articles in press (all)
 Dissemination conference in EFVET (KPPAR)
 Final conference (KPPAR)

32.  At the beginning of the project valorization strategy and plan will be drafted and revised by all
partners.
 Stakeholder network will be created and amplified all over the project, establishing their roles
and inter-relationship in the project in order to obtain better results during the exploitation stage.
For each phase, tools and delivery methods will be defined, designed and commonly approved.
 All the partners are committed and will make consistent ongoing efforts to utilise all available
networks and events to publicise benefits and potential opportunities arising from the project.
 The results of each partner meeting will be presented on the project’s website and partners’
websites.
 On ongoing basis the following dissemination channels will be used:
• Internet campaign (promoting BEQUAL portal, Web 2 marketing, creating banners, building up
links to the site, sending information for the project via e-mail to all the vocational schools,
creating topics in specialized forums to inform about the Project and the site as well as its
administration, etc.)
• Elaboration and distribution of informational materials
• Organization and participation in valorisation seminars, EFVET conference and final conference
• Participation in relevant events organized by non-partner organizations and distribution of
information about the project and its results
• Citing the project results during events and media appearances;
• Direct contacts with and distribution of materials to relevant organizations and institutions
(education ministry, educational inspectorates, school directors, CVETs, proffessional
associations, international organizations involved with the issue of quality assurance in VET,
etc.)
• Establishing special groups in various social networks
 Project final conference will be used for valorization of project’s results and for outlining a
strategy for their sustainable application and development. Cedefop staff will be invited to
participate in the final conference to discuss the prospects for utilization of project outcomes for
promotion of European policies on the quality assurance in VET.

33. Dissemination results: 1 (03-2013)
 Project image and brochure (project aims,
objectives, results, impact, partners).
 Languages: EN, DE, LT, PL.

34. Dissemination results: 2 (10-2013)
 International dissemination activities.Each
year EFVET (one of the biggest
association of EU for VET) is organizing
annual conference with 2 days sessions
and workshops for presenting different
project for EU level.
 Languages: EN.

35. Dissemination results: 3 (05-2014)
 Project e-newsletter (project aims,
objectives, results, impact, partners).
 Languages:LT

36. Dissemination results: 4 (06-2014)
 5 national valorisation seminars - workshops for
policy makers, stakeholders, social partners,
VET providers. Following each seminar, there
will be a report including the participants, the
agenda, the invitation, the presentations and the
seminar results).
 Languages: LT, EN, DE, PL, EL

37. Dissemination results: 5 (09-2014)
 Final transnational conference (Place: Kaunas.
Policy makers and stakeholders from Lithuania
and from other partners countries. Following the
conference, there will be a report including the
participants, the agenda, the invitation, the
presentations and the conference results
 Languages: LT, EN

38. Dissemination results: 6 (01-2014)
 20 articles in press and on-line media (articles in
press and on-line media with news about the
project, milestones, important products and
results during all project period).
 Languages: LT, EN, DE, PL, EL
 Press

39. Dissemination results: 7 (09-2014)
 Valorisation report (The valorisation report will detail all
valorization activities of the project. It will include photos
and images or all products (logo, brochure, articles etc),
details about the events (reports), details on the scope,
relevance and impact of the valorization strategy of all
partners).
 Languages: EN
 TEXT

40. WP 7 Quality assurance
package leader -BEST
 To ensure quality in project planning and
implementation, relevance of the project,
effectiveness, efficiency and maximise
impact
 To ensure relevance and quality of project
results

41. WP 7 Quality assurance
 Elaboration of a quality plan (BEST)
 Elaboration of evaluation tools (for evaluation of
project, meetings, products etc) (BEST)
 External evaluation (KPPAR)
 Elaboration of interim evaluation report (BEST)
 Elaboration of final evaluation report (BEST)

42.  Workpackage leader is BEST and will prepare a quality plan, which will
include tools (questionnaires, forms) that will facilitate the recording of the
results in each phase of the project. Formative evaluation results will be
used in order to improve the project products. There will also be an external
evaluator, appointed by KPPAR. The external evaluator will give constant
feedback to the partners about the project progress and its weak points, will
perform a SWOT analysis for the exploitation of results and will produce 2
reports (interim and final) that will be incorporated in the interim and final
evaluation report. All partners will contribute to the project evaluation with
their feedback as well as collecting the users’ feedback. The partners
feedback will be collected mainly in the partners transnational meetings.
The users will provide feedback during the piloting activities and through the
thematic portal.
 The criteria for the quality assessment of the project are qualitative and
quantitative. Qualitative criteria are: relevance of the project to the
developments in policy and practice regarding Quality Assurance in VET,
relevance of products for the target group, impact at micro level and at
system level.
 Quantitative criteria are: number of filled-in questionnaires in the
benchmarking tool (target: 80), number of good practices (target: 20),
number of registered users (target: 120), number of articles (target: 20),
number of blog entries (target: 30), number of web visitors and hits. Quality
indicators will be further refined and listed in the quality plan in the
beginning of the project.

43. Results: 1 (12-2012)
 Quality plan (The quality plan will detail the
scope, objectives, processes and
documents of the quality management
system of the project).
 Languages: EN
 TEXT

44. Results: 2 (09-2013, 09-2014)
 Quality assurance reports (2), responsible
BEST.
 Languages: EN
 TEXT

45. External evaluation
(09-2013, 09-2014)
 The external evaluation reports (2) will be
done by an external evaluation expert
together with applicant institution.
 Languages: EN
 TEXT