NATIONAL QUALIFICATION AUTHORITY REPORT OF EXPERT PANELS ON ACCREDITATION OF INSTITUTION PROVIDING AND / OR ASSESSES AND ISSUES APPROVED QUALIFICATIONS PART 1: SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS NAME OF APPLYING INSTITUTION: EMPLOYMENT PROMOTION AGENCY IN KOSOVO TYPE OF INSTITUTION, ITS' MAIN ACTIVITIES, AND ITS' LEGAL STATUS: NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION TITLE, LEVEL AND TYPE OF QUALIFICATION COVERED BY ACCREDITATION INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY NAMES OF EXPERT PANEL MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN ASSESSMENT: VEHBI NEZIRI- EXPERT CHAIR OF THE PANEL BEKIM DAUTI, EXPERT - MEMBER OF THE PANEL AVNI GASHI- EXPERT FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE - NQA DATES OF ASSESSMENT MEETINGS: Visit of the panel in EPAK: 01/11/2012 Drafting of the report: 09/11/2012 RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF NQA: Approved only as a vocational training centre No accreditation If accreditation is recommended, indicate extension and date proposed for expiry of accreditation: For provision, evaluation and issuance of qualification, or Until 31.07.2015 Only evaluation and issuance of qualifications, or Only provision of qualification Until Until If accreditation is recommended, mark also every condition attached to accreditation: Conditions (if any): 1. Waiting area (in front of the reception) is not sufficient for the flux of candidates visiting and attending trainings/education within the facilities of EPAK, including also trainings and certifications for ECDL. It is recommended to increase these spaces as per number of candidates. 2. On the door of computer room (trainings for information technology) there is no inscription what the room is used for. It is recommended to place information for this room and other rooms. 3. Computer room is equipped with 20 computers for candidate needs, one computer for trainer/instructor needs, one projector, a panel for projection and a working board. Having this in consideration it is small space to accommodate all this equipment; add here the number of 20 participants. In conformity with professional ethics of the training space, the carpet on the floor and network cables lying on the ground, along with difficulties on the left row, respectively on the right candidates face while sitting in front of respective computer are indicators that Last deadline: 01.01.2013
improvement of this space is required. 4. Backup of data of the organisation, which is around 100GB, except that they are stored in area of the organisation, one copy is also stored in private area in the house of IT officer. It is recommended that backups are not stored at private environments, but to seek for other options for their storage in online areas or other contracted facilities. 5. From the information on the day of visit, we were informed that the computers used for training needs, are not licensed for operative system of Windows XP. Also the applied program of MS Office 2003 is not licensed. It is recommended to replace the pirate copies with original copies in the earliest term possible. 6. The area designed for server room is in one part of the corridor in a very narrow area, and during summer season it is not safe due to high temperatures that may appear in this environment. Also cabling lying from there to other computers is not well structured and it is not known what cable serves for what. It is recommended to find a better area for the server room according to standards provided for server rooms. It is also recommended that cables are identified and to have a scheme available describing each cable and its purpose. 7. From candidate point of view it was mentioned that the distance is short between the projector and the projector board, classes are not sufficient for some training modules, and the payment unaffordable for reentering the exam in amount of 15.00 (considering that candidates are unemployed jobseekers) are some of items to be considered. 8. Program implemented for training in ECDL has in its content the operative system of Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003. It is recommended to update the program in order to provide candidates trainings for the latest versions of operative system and respective Office. 9. EPAK since its establishment until now have a high number of candidates who have attended and have been certified in different training modules, including IT. Accordingly it raises the discussion about the structured database where data should be preserved for all those candidates from the past till now. So, currently EPAK does not have a well organised database, protected and centralised, thus raising doubts about intimacy/identity of data of candidate! 01.01.2014 01.04.2013 10. Even despite the fact that candidate is provided vocational education in the field of information technology, so that he/she increases the possibility of finding a job, and the fact that in a certain level EPAK cooperates with private sector to help candidates to be employed, again as the chain of communication seem to interrupt at the moment the candidate has found a job. It is recommended to increase this communication in order to get a feedback and to continue contacts with the candidate until his/her full placement. 11. Fire extinguishers date of inspection has expired. Regular inspection is recommended. 12. There is no slope access in entrance of the building. The slope access area is recommended to be built in order to enable access to persons with disabilities (wheelchair using persons). 01.01.2013 01.04.2013 13. Emergency exit signs are posted on the windows of high floors. It is recommended to remove these signs from these parts. 14. Considering that the building is under camera surveillance, it is recommended to post the information signs for being under camera 15.12.2012
surveillance in conformity with the law. 15. Considering that EPAK is an real source of vocational knowledge, the working environment is overcrowded in daily basis, IT training participants are not distinguished by organisation employees. This brings to light the fact that a standard of identification must be set for distinguishing of employees from participants. 01.04.2013 Recommendation agreed by the Panel on: Signed: (Chair of the Panel) PART 2: GENERAL OUTCOMES AND CONCLUSIONS GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE CAPACITY OF APPLYING INSTITUTION FOR PROVISION AND/OR ASSESSMENT AND ISSUANCE OF QUALIFICATIONS Capacities for the process of vocational education and training are good. The code of ethics and conduct are efficiently applied by the staff and candidates as well. The area where the building is located is about 520m 2, whereas the IT training room is with dimensions of 6.10 x 4.90 or about 29.89m 2. In this area theory and practical lessons are held, and tests are held here as well. Qualification for Information Technology Based on the number of credits, knowledge, skills and competences obtained by candidates and internationally recognised standards (ECDL, Syllabus 5.0; ECDL BCS Qualifications and Scotland IT User Qualifications Portfolio) and level describers of NQF, the panel recommends that EPAK meets the criteria for accreditation in level II of NQF. RECOMMENDATION: EPAK is recommended to increase the number of classes and practical exercises in Module 2-7. COMMENTS (IF ANY) ABOUT THE QUALITY OF INFORMATION/DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION; Senior management and the whole staff involved in the process have indicated high readiness for provision of all information requested by the panel and this information has been sufficient for the panel to make conclusions. During the visit the message has been passed on that the self-assessment report needs to be standardised in accordance with required norms from the National Qualification Authority and to be implemented accurately especially the part of improvement plan which must have connection with other parts of quality principles. MATTERS OF INTEREST (IF ANY) INCLUDING JUSTIFICATION FOR EVERY CONDITION PROPOSED BY THE PANEL Panel has established that the training centre has lack of space which was also confirmed by the training provider, but the capacity of the centre provides optimal conditions for the work process. PART 3: EVALUATION OF CAPACITIES OF THE INSTITUTION TO MEET THE SPECIFIC CRITERIA OF QUALIFICATION FOR PROVISION AND/OR ASSESSMENT AND ISSUANCE OF QUALIFICATION 1. REQUIRED SPACE (BUILDINGS, AREAS) FOR PROVISION AND/OR ASSESSMENT OF QUALIFICATION. Training area for Information Technology has a surface area of 29.89m 2. This area is partly suitable for accommodation of work equipment and candidates, therefore more suitable space is required especially for organisation of theoretical tests.
2. NECESSARY SOURCES AND MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT FOR PROVISION AND/OR ASSESSMENT OF QUALIFICATION. Centre possesses: - 20 computers with operative system of Windows XP and applied package MS Office 2003. - Projector - Projector board - Board for notes - Classroom for theory and practical classes (1 room) 3. REQUIRED STAFF FOR PROVISION AND/OR ASSESSMENT OF QUALIFICATION. Trainer is qualified and certified for Windows XP and Office 2003, but is recommended to have him trained and certified for new versions of operative systems and the package Office 2007 or 2010. It is also recommended that trainer attends different seminars, workshops related to information technology and new training and evaluation techniques. 4. EVERY OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENT AS A RESULT OF QUALIFICATION SPECIFICATIONS (E.G. FOR PROJECTS, TASKS, PLACEMENT INTO JOB WITH EMPLOYER) ` Based on evaluation and analysis of evidence provided by the centre, the trainer has sufficient assignments and projects for assessment. However it is recommended that trainer is more related with entry tests of the candidates what would enable that the trainer gets information easier regarding earlier knowledge of every candidate. PART 4: EVALUATION OF CAPACITIES OF THE INSTITUTION FOR MEETING CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION IN CAPACITY OF INSTITUTION FOR ASSESSMENT AND ISSUANCE OF QUALIFICATIONS 1. A SUITABLE INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE FUNCTIONING ON A SOUND FINANCIAL BASE. Employment Promotion Agency of Kosovo is a centre financed by donations at a level around 95% from foreign donations and about 5% from domestic donations. The centre has the strategic development plan, financial plan which witness the genuineness and efficiency of this centre. Independent and external audits and reports have also been conducted. 2. AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO ASSESSMENT AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSESSMENT. EPAK has provided evidence showing an effective approach to development and management of quality by the coordinator. Evidence has been provided that staff assessment is carried out for different periods of time. There is also provided evidence for assessment of the centre in general. EPAK has provided evidence on conditions and good opportunities of planning, implementation and monitoring of assessment of professional quality for IT. Evidence has been also provided for regular monitoring by the management (director and coordinator for quality assurance). Panel has been provided necessary evidence for the manner of formative and summative testing e.g. placement test, beginner test for candidates, forms, lists of attendance, final results, final assessment completed by a candidate randomly selected.
3. DOCUMENTATION AND DATA SYSTEMS WHICH MAY SUPPORT EFFECTIVE QUALITY ASSURANCE AND VERIFICATION OF INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATE ACHIEVEMENT. To witness this, portfolio of candidates have been provided with all necessary details to measure achievement of a candidate. - Daily and weekly reports - Placement test - Modular tests, and Panel has also been provided with adequate evidence related to the data system for verification of individual candidate achievements, registration, evidence documents, assessment results and other data for the candidates. 4. AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO CERTIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION QUALITY MANAGEMENT. Following conclusion of the course, trainers prepare the full dossier of the candidates which includes results achieved in all modules. Certificate signed with protocol is handed to the candidate. Evidence has been provided regarding database, candidate file and certificate. Candidates not showing positive results do not receive certificates for the training they have attended, but paid re-testing is allowed. 5. SUITABLE AND EFFECTIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT REGARDING ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS, INTERNAL VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION. Panel has not received sufficient evidence for the procedures developed for staff development and capacity building. It is recommended to provide a staff development plan for increasing the training quality. As a part of the procedure for quality assurance the provider must prepare every year a training plan for professional enhancement of the staff, based on the communication and continuous cooperation of the staff inside EPAK and individual experience exchange. 6. SUITABLE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR ASSESSMENT OF CANDIDATES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. EPAK building does not have the slope access in entrance of the building which is a precondition for persons with walking disability (wheelchair persons). Panel has been told that till now they did not have significant number of requests from candidates with special needs for training in IT, as this category is not foreseen in vocational standard for IT. 7. SUITABLE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING PROVISION OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND FAIR SELECTION. Code of conduct clearly determines conditions and criteria to be adhered to by each candidate. Procedures are also clearly determined for monitoring provision of equal opportunities and fair selection. Panel has been provided immense evidence that no discrimination cases have occurred. 8. PREPARATIONS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION TO CANDIDATES EXCEPT THOSE ATTENDING SPECIFIC LEARNING PROGRAMS, INCLUDING RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENTS FROM NON- FORMAL AND INFORMAL EDUCATION. Candidates are enabled to recognise their previous knowledge by taking modular tests and the candidate may be certified.
9. SYSTEMS FOR RECOGNITION AND TRANSFER OF CREDITS ACHIEVED BY CANDIDATES AND ENABLING THEIR TRANSFER. No such cases or requests have appeared till now. 10. EVIDENCE FOR ENSURING STORING ASSESSMENT RESULTS IN A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. EPAK provides safe and healthy environment for assessment by ensuring implementation of the training and evaluation programs. The data are stored physically and also in the database. So the environment is safe and sound and also the safety of data is in a satisfactory level, but it is recommended to store the electronic data in accordance with professional standards and not to keep them stored in private areas.