The government has set up a new quality approach for organising and running training centres. The method for managing and running public vocational training centres has been defined so that each centre can achieve autonomy and real synergy with its economic environment.

After a pilot which included the creation of 13 institutional councils comprising representatives from trainers and professional federations, the model is being progressively rolled out.

In a second phase, the method for managing and running the centres has been reinforced by the introduction of National Standards for the Quality of Vocational Training (Référentiel National de la Qualité de la Formation Professionnelle, RNQFP). In 2005, some 30 training centres were using the method and were in the process of conforming to the RNQPF.

The approach at training centre level

The programme supports seven pilot centres in gaining ISO version 2000 certification.

It involves setting up national quality standards for training. These standards aim at promoting the founding principles of the reform of vocational training based on its constant management according to the needs of the economy.

The National Quality Standards for Vocational Training (Le Référentiel National de Qualité de la formation Professionnelle - RNQFP) comprise:

			The management model of the centres, completed by the system for managing quality. This model constitutes a framework of responsibilities and obligations for the centres. It sets out the areas where they are free to seek clients and represents a set of organisational and management standards. These include the definition and the method for the application of client based procedures and those relating to the internal organisation needed for the correct application of these procedures and the perpetuation of good management.
			A manual which contains the functions and indicators of the setting up of the model and the quality of services to clients. This is a system for measuring the level of application of the model and the level of quality clients receive. It is the basis for measuring conformity which is necessary for the definition of quality standards.

The approach at structural level

The organisations involved comprise the general directorates of the Ministry of Education and Training in charge of vocational training, the national centre for training trainers and training methods (CENAFFIF), the Tunisian agency for vocational training and the centre for staff training and professional promotion.

The method involved identifying the products of the organisation, the clients for these products, the procedures for producing these products and, finally, the best way for these procedures to get results.

Objectives

			To ensure continuity in the reform of vocational training.
			To improve the confidence level of training centres and the quality of their reputation as far as enterprises and training seekers are concerned.
			To allow the different organisations to position themselves in terms of clients/providers in relation to one another.
			To clarify the aims and objectives of the different organisations.
			To arrange the organisations in the best possible way to allow them to reach their targets.

Organisations

The organisations involved include:

			CENAFFIF
			ATFP
			DGEN
			The planning body
			CNFCPP
			Training centres connected to the ATFP.