Implementation of the German Qualifications Framework - development of a quality system in vocational education and training demanded at all levels

The decision to develop and implement a German Qualifications Framework (GQF) has increased the importance of questions of quality development in vocational education and training. One of the key requirements of a quality development model is to ensure that the graduates of the various training programmes at all levels do indeed dispose of the skills described in the curricula for those programmes. The focus here is on output orientation, that is, what a person can do after completing a training programme. The article takes up aspects of quality development in the areas important for vocational education and training on the basis of the quality principles formulated in the European Qualifications Framework and describes current practice. It then outlines steps to be taken to develop a systemic quality development model for vocational education and training.