Quality Standards in Training

Quality Standards

Quality Standards: A voluntary document with technical specifications based on experience and technological development.

• ISO 9000: Set by the International Organization for Standardization. Possesses the AENOR certificate. Applicable to any organization (business services, production, public, etc.). Initially focused on productivity, now applicable to services like training courses.

Advantages of ISO 9000

• Promotes a high-quality image.
• Responds to pressures from customers and governments.
• Provides Quality Assurance.
• Organizes activities.
• Demonstrates relevance and profitability.

Disadvantages of ISO 9000

• Interpretation problems (drafted for the production industry).
• Insufficient emphasis on education-related issues.
• Increased bureaucracy.
• Time consumption and costs.

QFor

Standards tailored to training, originating in the European Union in 1996. Driven by Belgium and Spain. Twelve countries are currently in this network: Belgium, Spain, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, England, Mexico, and Portugal. Some countries use QFor certification for public fund distribution. The main advantage is its focus on customer satisfaction and institutional quality. A QFor certified organization means 80% of clients are satisfied or very satisfied. Over 150 companies in Spain are QFor certified.

ENQA (European Excellence Model)

Self-assessment model. Organizations transform to comply with its criteria. Traditional organizations are self-centered. Nine criteria assess organizations: five enablers (leadership, policy and strategy, people, resources and alliances, processes) and four outputs (customer, personnel, societal impact, organization).

Evaluation Dimensions

• Macro-educational or Systematic: Evaluates the entire system comprehensively for diagnostic purposes, informing technical decisions and educational policy.
• Meso-educational or Institutional: Evaluates intermediate system elements like institutions or educational programs.
• Micro-educational or Individual: Evaluates unique effects on different elements, such as student learning, teaching function, or management function.

Basic Principles of Evaluation

• Evaluation initiated by protagonists is more beneficial.
• Those evaluated should control the evaluation.
• Ethical rules ensure respect for individuals.
• Evaluation should be educational, allowing participants to express true opinions.
• Focus on the process, not just results.
• Diverse methods capture complexity and ensure rigor.
• Aim to improve professional practice.
• Produce public written reports as a platform for discussion.
• External evaluators act as facilitators, not judges.