The peer review provided an opportunity to reflect on how stakeholders, particularly employers, can contribute more effectively to quality assurance (QA) in vocational education and training (VET).
The Portuguese EQAVET National Reference Point (EduQA) organised this online peer review on 16-17 June 2026, focusing on the role of stakeholders (particularly employers) in quality assurance in VET. The EQAVET peer reviewers were from Belgium (FR), Germany, Finland, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.
The Portuguese EQAVET model, established under national legislation and aligned with the EQAVET framework, provides a strong basis for stakeholder engagement, including mechanisms such as the EQAVET seal based on the involvement of external experts. The peer review featured presentations from companies and VET providers in order to identify good practice in collaboration, such as the co-design of curricula, the organisation of work-based learning, and feedback mechanisms involving employers.
The discussions explored how stakeholder engagement can be strengthened across the four phases of the quality assurance cycle. Particular attention was given to VET providers’ strategies for increasing employers’ participation and ensuring their involvement supports labour market relevance and the overall quality of VET. Overall, the peer review highlighted the need to move away from informal and personal relationships with employers towards more systematic and structured approaches to stakeholder engagement. It was also important to involve a wide range of stakeholders, including intermediary organisations, trade unions, employers organisations and public authorities.
Read the flash report summarizing the main outcomes of the discussion.
Additionally, a report with detailed feedback from the peer reviewers will be shared with the host country.
