Berlin-Transfer

Initial situation

The knowledge society makes new demands on those living and working in it – across Europe! Actively engaged citizens, motivated and self-assured, must take their personal and career development into their own hands; and they must be flexible to meet the requirements of the labor market. Education, training and lifelong learning are now and will continue to be in high demand—putting the quality of vocational and adult education programs to the test.

In 2003, provisions were introduced to the German Code of Social Law requiring that vocational education and training providers guarantee the quality of their programs—and ensure quality for their clients—through the introduction of quality management systems. Quality for the client means: Increased transparency and comparability in the (further) education market, improved quality, and better customer focus.

These quality requirements are not only for vocational education and training providers. Vocational guidance and counseling services, as the intermediary between those looking for and those offering education and training, must also demonstrate the quality of their services. In quality services, the client’s concerns and information requirements are at the heart of the counseling and individual needs are brought into concordance with the demands of the labor market. This provides a realistic basis from which clients can make informed, individual decisions.

With the inauguration of the Quality Coordination Office (Koordinierungsstelle Qualität) in 2003, the city of Berlin has created an institution able to initiate a quality management process. The Quality Coordination Office supports this process and is available to answer any questions that may arise. Establishment of the office was made possible by the support of the Berlin Senate Department of Integration, Labour and Social Issues and the European Social Fund (ESF).