A new case study is available on the virtual library, providing information on a recent study in Germany on the role of intermediate institutions and their quality initiatives.

In March 2023, the German Federal Institution of Vocational Education (DEQA-VET) published the English version of the ‘Quality Initiatives of Intermediary Institutions’ study. The study’s key finding is that intermediate institutions undertake a large range of activities aimed at improving the quality of VET.

DEQA-VET examined 192 initiatives, ranging from award initiatives to training, guidance, networking initiatives, and job aids.

The study is the first systematised stocktaking and investigation of projects and measures to promote or reward in-company training quality in Germany. The study analyses the role of the German Chambers of Crafts and the Chambers of Industry and Commerce as intermediary institutions.

The Chambers, which are crucial to the quality assurance of in-company training in Germany’s dual vocational education and training system, have progressively broadened the scope of quality assurance services for training companies. All these quality initiatives seek to sensitise training companies about the relevance of quality assurance and assist them in its implementation. The Chamber’s initiatives all have one thing in common: they go beyond the legally stipulated regular activities of intermediate institutions by addressing the safeguarding and promotion of in-company training quality and actively engage with companies in a supportive manner.

The study highlights that the added value of EQAVET is that it provides reinsurance for the direction and design of the identified quality initiatives.

Read the new EQAVET case study to find out more about the activities and outcomes.

You can also download the English version of the ’Quality Initiatives of Intermediary Institutions’ DEQA-VET study from the virtual library.

Interested in finding out more about how EQAVET is implemented? Visit the virtual library to view more case studies on how other Member States are working with the EQAVET Framework.