4.4 Professional management
VET systems operate through a network of technical schools and training centres, which have a more or less high degree of autonomy. They are local service providers that need good management in order to be efficient and effective. Professional management is therefore another key element of modern VET systems.
Management of a training institution comprises management of significant numbers of staff and students, management of valuable assets in terms of training infrastructure, financial administration, and communication with state authorities, with students and their parents, and with the world of work.
Against this background the issue of quality management in VET has been raised both in the scientific community and in the public administrations responsible for VET. Many governments and even some economic sectors have established, or are about to establish, accreditation systems or quality marks for VET providers in order to ensure a certain level of quality in VET provision. Almost all these approaches put the spotlight on management. However, quality management remains underdeveloped on the level of implementation.
Therefore, management and its professional development are a key issue for many VET reforms.
Consider these key analytical questions concerning professional management:
