EQUASS IN PRACTICE.

1. Lifelong Learning Programme TRANSFER OF INNOVATION PROJECTSin the Leonardo da Vinci ProgrammeAGREEMENT n° NO/08/LLP-LdV/TOI/131003EQUASS IN PRACTICE. Background and content of the project.Project start-up seminar in Oslo.12th – 13th January 2009. EQUASS IN PRACTICE.

2. EQUASS IN PRACTICE. • This seminar is the start of work package 2. • The objective is to get to know....... • ....the content of the project, • ....each partners tasks and responsibilities • ....each other and to become an efficient team • ....the financial aspects of the project

3. EQUASS IN PRACTICE. • Equass was lanched in September 2006. • AVRE has been a LLH (Local Licence Holder) since November 2006 • AVRE has since February 2007 provided information, coaching and courses about Equass Assurance to member companies of AVRE and ASVL. (National Federation For Companies Providing Permanent Jobs Adapted To The Individual).

4. Understanding the requirements In Norway the marketing of EQUASS Assurance has focused at the sector for work training, vocational rehabilitation and permanent jobs for disadvantaged people. The Equass language is general and applies to the whole sector for social services in all of Europe. An important part of implementing this standard in Norwegian companies has been the “translation” of this general language into a language which is familiar to the sector we have focused on.

5. EQUASS Assurance: Phases in the companies work with implementation in Norway. Understanding the general language Interpreting requirements using the terminology used for training and rehabilitation in the individual company under Norwegian framework Finding the way(s) of working which will fulfil the requirements. Deciding how to document and implement the solutions.

6. Challenges Relating the Equass requirements to the activities that take place, and to the routines and documentation that already exist in the company. Finding practical ways to fulfil the requirements in a way which at the same time also feel as a meaningful way of working.

7. From frustration to motivation At first the requirements in the questionaire seem overwhelming. Frustrations Work at it to get it “under your skin” Discover connections between the Equass theory and the working practice. (60-80 % already ok). Sensible requirements which as a whole cause valuable dialogues, give everyone involved a good insight into their own organisation, and create a useful tool for securing quality of all delivered services.

8. Implementation of EQUASS Assurance – AVREs (Attføringsbedriftenes) experience. Survey from April 2008: 2008 2009 20

9. Implementation of EQUASS Assurance – AVREs (Attføringsbedriftenes) experience. Survey from October 2008. 2008 2009 Approximately 40 members have not responded. Implementationtakes longer thanexpected.

10. EQUASS IN PRACTICE. The background for the project. • AVREs conclusion is that Norwegian companies feels that Equass Assurance is a good system for quality assurance, but that there are challenges in implementing it. • If companies have problems in Norway we suspect that the same problems exist in other countries as well. • In AVREs experience it isclear that there is a need for an overall strategy and guidelines for how Equass Assurance could be implemented.

11. EQUASS IN PRACTICE. • The objective of this project is to: • develop and share best practice for how VET-service providers may work to implement the EQUASS Assurance certification programme, • with the aim of improving quality of their services • and to achieve sustainable working practice and routines.

12. EQUASS IN PRACTICE. • The objective is to make Equass Assurance more easily available to all VET-providers within the sector of vocational rehabilitation. • This includes development of methods, guidelines and strategies which will result in a practical web-based manual which will coach the VET-providers through their QA work, and enable them to become certified.

13. EQUASS IN PRACTICE – • Innovation aspects and added value. • A methodology on how to implement EQUASS Assurance in European countries. • Publish a manual with practical information about the implementation work at each VET-providers. • To establish national EQUASS Assurance licence holders in each country. • Develop a methodology to follow up VET-providers who want to get a successful certification. • To give VET providers in rehabilitation the possibility to apply for EQUASS Assurance certification at the end of the 24 months project periode. • To eastablish a pool of qualified, independent, approved auditors in each country.

14. EQUASS IN PRACTICE – • The dissemination activities will include: • Give practical information about the project and results through relevant National websites and EPR website. • National stakeholders will be invited to the project meetings in their respective countries. • National information events by the partners of the project as. • The final conference of the project. • Make a web based database of the national legislation related to quality assurance in this field.

15. EQUASS IN PRACTICE – The Work Packages: The project is divided into 7 work packages. These are: Work package 1: Management and administration Description of activities: • Overall planning of the project. • Two way communication. To be the link between the partners. • Plan content of each seminar. • Gather information about experience and achieved results for use inreports and for dissemination. • Write reports about the project as a part of internal communication and external information. • Financial side of the project. Accounting. Reimbursement of partners expenses based on partners claims. • Coordination of the work packages. • Editorial work with the manual based on input from each partner

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21. EQUASS IN PRACTICE – The Work Packages: • Work Package 7: Dissemination activities and internal evaluation of the project Description of activities: Project evaluation will be arranged internally by giving EPR the role as a “critical friend”. The critical friend will report to the project partners at each seminar on the following aspects: • Planning • Decision making • Implementation of activities • Progress • Use of funds and accounting • Are we working towards the goals we have made? • Recommend corrections if needed • Potential adjustments of plans

22. EQUASS IN PRACTICE – The Work Packages: • Results from this start-up seminar: • A plan to establish local licence holders, LLH, in each country • A plan for how to establish a network of companies who will aim for certification, and start of courses and coaching. • A plan for translation of all documentation from english to each partner country’s language. • Have discussed how cooperation between the LHH and the project partner will work in case they are not the same organisation. • Have discussed the partner contracts and agreed upon a deadline for signing. • A group consensus of the way of working

23. EQUASS IN PRACTICE …SO, WITH THIS MUCH TO DO, WHY NOT JUST START TO FILL OUR TOOL BOX!!!!!