Circular No. 27/2018/TT-BLDTBXH dated December 25, 2018 on assessment for issuance of vocational education accreditor card; and procedures for and cycle of vocational education accreditation

CIRCULAR

ON ASSESSMENT FOR ISSUANCE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION ACCREDITOR CARD; AND PROCEDURES FOR AND CYCLE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION ACCREDITATION

Pursuant to the Law on Vocational Education dated November 27, 2014;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 14/2017/ND-CP dated February 17, 2017 on functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 48/2015/ND-CP dated May 15, 2015 on guidelines for Law on Vocational Education;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP dated March 30, 2018 on vocational education accreditation;

At the request of the Director General of the Directorate of Vocational Training, <0}

The Minister of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs promulgates a Circular on assessment for issuance of vocational education accreditor card; and procedures for and cycle of vocational education accreditation,

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope

This Circular provides for:

1. Assessment for issuance of the vocational education accreditor, including establishment of a council for assessment for  issuance of the vocational education accreditor card (hereinafter referred to as “assessment council"); announcement of assessment for issuance of the vocational education accreditor card (hereinafter referred to as "accreditor card issuance assessment”) and persons eligible for such assessment (hereinafter referred to as "applicants”); methods and contents of accreditor card issuance assessment; allotted test time; score announcement; processing of score review requests; qualified applicants; issuance of the vocational education accreditor card (hereinafter referred to as “accreditor card”) and other contents related to accreditor card issuance assessment.

2. Procedures for and cycle of vocational education accreditation.

Article 2. Regulated entities

1. This Circular is applicable to:

a) Vocational education centers, vocational training schools and colleges with registered vocational education activities (hereinafter referred to as “vocational education institutions”);

b) Higher education institutions and enterprises with registered vocational education activities (hereinafter referred to as “vocational education service providers”);

c) Vocational education accreditation organizations (hereinafter referred to as “accreditation organization”);

d) State agencies, organizations and individuals related to the contents prescribed in Article 1 herein.

2. This Circular is not applicable to:

a) Vocational education institution accreditation for pedagogical training schools, pedagogical colleges, branches of pedagogical training schools and branches of pedagogical colleges;

b) Training program accreditation for teacher training programs under state management of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Chapter II

ASSESSMENT FOR ISSUANCE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION ACCREDITOR CARD

Article 3. Establishment of the assessment council and specialized teams

1. The Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs shall establish the assessment council to assess and issue the accreditor card and stipulate the structure, functions and tasks of the assessment council.

2. The assessment council may establish specialized teams to perform its tasks and exercise its powers. Number of specialized teams, number of members, structure, functions and tasks of specialized teams shall be stipulated by the assessment council.

Article 4. Announcement of accreditor card issuance assessment and applicants<0}

1. The Directorate of Vocational Training shall announce the accreditor card issuance assessment. The announcement shall be posted at the headquarters and on the website of the Directorate of Vocational Training.

2. The Directorate of Vocational Training shall receive and check the applications and eligibility for accreditor card issuance assessment according to regulations of Article 13; Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 18 of the Government's Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP dated March 30, 2018 on vocational education accreditation (hereinafter referred to as “Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP) and send the list of eligible applicants to the assessment council.

3. The assessment council shall notify the applicants at least 05 days prior to the date of assessment.

Article 5. Methods for and contents of accreditor card issuance assessment and allotted test time

1. The accreditor card issuance assessment is a written assessment.

2. The accreditor card issuance assessment consists of 3 (three) parts: a subjective test, an objective test and a practice test. The total scores of 3 (three) parts are 100 (one hundred) (based on the 100-score scale). Each part has 1 (one) set of questions. Each set of questions has detailed answers and criteria for grading.

3. Total allotted time for 3 (three) parts is 180 minutes.

Article 6. Announcement of applicant's scores<0}

Within 05 working days from the date on which grading is completed, the assessment council shall post the applicant’s scores at the headquarters and on the website of the Directorate of Vocational Training.

Article 7. Processing of score review requests

1. Within 10 working days from the date on which the applicant’s scores are announced, the assessment council shall receive any score review request.

2. Within 05 working days from the lapse of the period prescribed in Clause 1 herein, the assessment council shall process the score review requests within its competence and announce the results.

Article 8. Qualified applicants

After processing score review requests (if any), the assessment council shall send the list of qualified applicants to the Director General of the Directorate of Vocational Training for approval. An applicant is qualified and considered and granted an accreditor card when they score at least 70 (seventy).

Article 9. Issuance of the accreditor card

1. Issuance of the accreditor card shall comply with Clause 4 Article 18 of the Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP.

2. The persons prescribed in regulations of Clause 2 Article 25 of the Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP shall be issued with the accreditor card by the Director General of the Directorate of Vocational Training when all of the documents prescribed in Points a, b and d Clause 2 Article 18 of the Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP have been submitted and may be exempted from the accreditor card issuance assessment provided for in this Circular. List of persons issued with the accreditor card shall be announced on the website of the Directorate of Vocational Training.

Chapter III

PROCEDURES FOR AND CYCLE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION ACCREDITATION

Section 1. PROCEDURES FOR AND CYCLE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION ACCREDITATION

Article 10. Procedures for vocational education accreditation

Procedures for vocational education accreditation comprise the following steps:

1. Self-assessment of vocational education quality by a vocational education institution or vocational education service provider.

The vocational education institution or vocational education service provider shall assess its vocational education quality according to regulations of Section 2 Chapter II of the Circular No. 28/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated December 15, 2017 providing for educational quality assurance system for vocational schools and Circular No. 15/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated June 08, 2017 providing for criteria and standards for vocational education accreditation by the Minister of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs.

2. Peer assessment by an accreditation organization.

3. Recognition of the peer assessment result and issuance of certificate of conformity with vocational education accreditation standards (hereinafter referred to as “certificate of conformity with accreditation standards”).

Article 11. Cycle of vocational education accreditation

1. Each vocational education institution or training program that meets vocational education accreditation standards shall be accredited every 5 years.

2. If a vocational education institution providing training for a major vocational discipline; or a training program for a major vocational discipline; or a vocational education institution and training program providing training for a vocational discipline that serves state management is required to undergo vocational education accreditation according to regulations of Point d Clause 3 Article 65 of the Law on Vocational Education No. 74/2014/QH13 dated November 27, 2014 and fails to meet vocational education accreditation standards, it must be re-accredited within 03 years.

Section 2. PEER ASSESSMENT BY ACCREDITATION ORGANIZATIONS

Article 12. Peer assessment procedures

Peer assessment consists of:

1. Registration for peer assessment.

2. Establishment of a peer assessment team.

3. Survey by the peer assessment team.

4. Compilation of a peer assessment dossier.

Article 13. Peer assessment conditions

1. Conditions for peer assessment for accreditation of a vocational education institution include:

a) Completion of a self-assessment and report on self-assessment of vocational education quality;

b) 100% of its disciplines are issued with the certificate of registration of vocational education activities or permitted to provide training by a competent authority according to regulations;

c) For a vocational education center, at least 50% of its current elementary-level training programs have had at least 1 (one) graduating class when it undergoes vocational education accreditation;

d) For a vocational training school, at least 50% of its current intermediate-level training programs have had at least 1 (one) graduating class when it undergoes vocational education accreditation;

dd) For a college, at least 50% of its current intermediate-level training programs and 50% of its current college-level training programs have had at least 1 (one) graduating class when it undergoes vocational education accreditation.

2. Conditions for peer assessment for accreditation of a training program include:

a)  Completion of a self-assessment and report on self-assessment of vocational education quality;

b) The vocational education institution or vocational education service provider is granted a certificate of registration of vocational education activities for the vocational discipline whose training program is undergoing accreditation by a competent authority;

c) The training program has had at least 1 (one) graduating class.

3. An accreditation organization shall not carry out a peer assessment of a vocational education institution or vocational education service provider of which the accreditation organization is a capital contributor or shareholder; or of a vocational education institution or training program managed by a body or unit with an affiliated accreditation organization.

Article 14. Registration for peer assessment

A vocational education institution or vocational education service provider that meets the conditions prescribed in Article 13 herein shall register for peer assessment with an accreditation organization. The vocational education institution or vocational education service provider (hereinafter referred to as “institution undergoing peer assessment”) and the accreditation organization shall negotiate a contract for peer assessment.

Article 15. Establishment of peer assessment teams

1. A peer assessment team shall have an odd number of members and consist of: 

a) at least 5 (five) accreditors for accreditation of a vocational education institution; or

b) at least 3 (three) or 5 (five) accreditors for accreditation of a training program.

2. A peer assessment team shall comprise a team leader, a secretary and other members.

3. A peer assessment team shall ensure that:

a) For accreditation of a vocational education institution, at least 70% of its discipline groups are accredited by accreditors with appropriate qualifications;

b) For accreditation of a training program, at least 1 (one) accreditor whose qualifications are appropriate to the discipline group whose training program is undergoing accreditation is employed;

c) An accreditor whose qualifications are appropriate to a discipline group is an accreditor who has undergone specialized training in the discipline group; has at least 05 years of experience in teaching modules and/or subjects of the training program affiliated to the discipline group or at least 05 years of experience in business operation and/or services related to the discipline group. Discipline groups mentioned in this Circular are Level III-code discipline groups stipulated by the Minister of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs in list of level IV vocational disciplines of vocational training schools and colleges;

d) The accreditation organization, which is responsible for selecting accreditors with appropriate qualifications for the peer assessment team, carries out such selection in consideration of the accreditor’s experience and qualifications;

dd) If necessary, the accreditation organization may hire an expert with suitable qualifications to participate in surveys and provide consultancy to the peer assessment team. The expert participating in surveys and providing consultancy to the peer assessment team (hereinafter referred to as “expert”) shall meet the requirements, perform the tasks and exercise the powers prescribed in Article 17 herein.

4. Requirements for a member of a peer assessment team include:

a) Possessing an unexpired accreditor card;

b) For the team leader and secretary of a peer assessment team for accreditation of a vocational education institution: Possessing experience in management of a vocational education institution or higher education institution; and having participated in a peer assessment team, vocational education accreditation team or peer assessment team for accreditation of a higher education institution, college or vocational training school; 

c) For the team leader and secretary of a peer assessment team for training program accreditation: Possessing experience in management at at least faculty-level or equivalent; and having participated in a peer assessment team, vocational education accreditation team or peer assessment team for accreditation of a higher education institution, college or vocational training school; 

d) If an accreditor does not work under a full-time labor contract or an employment contract with a duration of at least 12 months with the accreditation organization, such accreditor shall sign a labor contract for participation in the peer assessment team with the accreditation organization;

dd) Committing to participate in the peer assessment team and to not violate any of the cases prescribed in Clause 5 of this Article and Article 18 herein.

5. An accreditor may not participate in peer assessment of an institution undergoing peer assessment if:

a) Within 05 years up until the time of establishment of the peer assessment team, the accreditor has worked/studied or is working/studying at the institution undergoing peer assessment;

b) The accreditor is a capital contributor or shareholder of the institution undergoing peer assessment or has provided consultancy on self-assessment of vocational education quality under a contract with the institution undergoing peer assessment;

c) The accreditor’s parent, spouse, child or sibling works for the institution undergoing peer assessment.

6. The head of an accreditation organization being a service provider, or general director/director of an accreditation organization being an enterprise (hereinafter referred to as “head of the accreditation organization) shall issue the decision on establishment of the peer assessment team for vocational education accreditation. Such decision shall include the list of members of the peer assessment team and experts (if any) and peer assessment schedule.

7. Prior to establishment of a peer assessment team, the accreditation organization must consult the institution undergoing peer assessment on provisional list of members of the peer assessment team and experts (if any), and schedule for preliminary and official surveys of the peer assessment team. 

a) After 05 working days from the date of receipt of the provisional list of members of the peer assessment team and experts (if any), if the institution undergoing peer assessment has no comment, the list is considered to have been approved by such institution;

b) In case the institution undergoing peer assessment provides any proof that a member of the peer assessment team or an expert in the list violates one of the regulations prescribed in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Article, the institution undergoing peer assessment has the right to request the accreditation organization to replace such member but shall not recommend any individual to the peer assessment team.

8. If a member cannot continue participating in the peer assessment team, the head of the accreditation organization shall issue a decision on replacement of member of the peer assessment team. The substitute must satisfy all requirements of the position of the person being substituted.

9. Within 03 working days from the date of issuance of the decision on establishment of the peer assessment team or decision on replacement of member of the peer assessment team (if any), the accreditation organization shall send the copy/copies of such decision(s) to the Directorate of Vocational Training and Department of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs of the province where the institution undergoing peer assessment is located via email or fax or by post.

Article 16. Tasks of the team leader, secretary and other members of the peer assessment team

1. Comply with legal regulations and be answerable to the law for vocational education accreditation when carrying out their tasks.

2. The team leader shall direct activities of the peer assessment team; explain accreditation contents (if any) and be responsible for documents and reports of the peer assessment team. The team leader shall assign tasks and survey plans of the peer assessment team, sign records and reports of the peer assessment team.

3. The secretary shall assist the team leader with carrying out activities and compiling reports of the peer assessment team, perform other tasks as assigned by the team leader and be answerable for the results of such tasks.

4. Other members of the peer assessment team shall perform the tasks assigned by the team leader and be answerable for the results of such tasks.

Article 17. Requirements, tasks and powers of experts

1. Requirements for an expert include:

a) Specializing in an area that is compatible with the discipline group. The expert shall be formally trained in the discipline group; have at least 05 years of experience in teaching modules or subjects of a training program of the discipline group or have at least 5 years of experience in  business operation and/or services related to the discipline group;

b) Working under a labor contract with the accreditation organization for participation in surveys and providing consultancy to the peer assessment team if the expert does not work under a full-time labor contract or an employment contract with a duration of at least 12 months with the accreditation organization;

c) Committing to participate in surveys and provide consultancy to the peer assessment team and to not violate any of the cases prescribed in Clause 5 of Article 15 and Article 18 herein.

2. Tasks and powers of an expert:

a) The expert shall carry out surveys with the peer assessment team, provide consultancy to the peer assessment team on criteria- and standard-based assessment for the assigned vocational discipline that is appropriate to the expert’s qualifications; perform the tasks assigned by the team leader and be answerable for the results of such tasks;

b) The expert may participate in meetings of the peer assessment team; propose assessment based on criteria and standards related to the assigned vocational discipline; and have opinions recorded in the report on peer assessment process but shall not vote on conclusions of the peer assessment team.

Article 18. Forbidden acts for members of the peer assessment team and experts

1. Disclosure of information related to the assessment and assessment results of the peer assessment team without permission from the accreditation organization or a competent authority.

2. Alteration of results of vocational education accreditation.

3. Any member of the peer assessment team or expert violating Clause 1 or Clause 2 herein shall be subject to penalty according to regulations of Point b or Point d Clause 6 Article 25 of the Government’s Decree No. 79/2015/ND-CP dated September 14, 2015 on penalties for administrative violations against regulations on vocational education.

Article 19. Surveys by the peer assessment team

Surveys by the peer assessment team shall include:

1. Formulation of the work plan of the peer assessment team.

2. Review of the self-assessment report and relevant documents.

3. Preliminary survey at the institution undergoing peer assessment.

4. Official survey at the institution undergoing peer assessment.

Article 20. Formulation of the work plan of the peer assessment team

1. The peer assessment team shall formulate its work plan in a manner that ensures adequate peer assessment contents and duration; and assign specific tasks to each member of the peer assessment team.

2. The peer assessment team shall reach an agreement with the institution undergoing peer assessment and submit the work plan to the accreditation organization at least 05 days prior to the date of preliminary survey.

Article 21. Review of the self-assessment report and relevant documents

The peer assessment team shall review the self-assessment report and relevant documents, guiding documents and information and list the contents of the self-assessment report that need clarification, additional information and evidence that the institution undergoing peer assessment needs to provide and other relevant contents to prepare for the official survey.

Article 22. Preliminary survey at the institution undergoing peer assessment

1. Duration: Within 01 working day.

2. Participants: Maximum 2 (two) members of the peer assessment team, among which is the team leader or secretary.

3. Contents of a preliminary survey shall include announcement of the review result for the self-assessment report; consideration and provision of guidance on preparation for the official survey to the institution undergoing peer assessment; and finalization of the detailed plan for official survey by the peer assessment team at the institution undergoing peer assessment. 

Article 23. Official survey at the institution undergoing peer assessment

1. Duration:

a) For accreditation of a vocational education institution, the duration of the official survey by the peer assessment team is 05 working days at the minimum or 09 working days at the maximum depending on the size of the vocational education institution undergoing peer assessment;

b) For accreditation of a training program, the duration of the official survey by the peer assessment team is 03 working days at the minimum or 05 working days at the maximum depending on the size of the training program undergoing peer assessment;

c) In case an institution undergoing peer assessment has branches/training facilities, during the official survey by the peer assessment team, at least 2 (two) members of the peer assessment team shall conduct the survey at each branch/training facility.

2. Members of the peer assessment team shall carry out the official survey at the institution undergoing peer assessment in a manner that conforms to the plan and ensures completion of the assigned tasks. If the peer assessment team or institution undergoing peer assessment makes a change to the official survey plan, the accreditation organization must be notified and grant the permission for such change before it takes place.

3. The official survey of the peer assessment team shall consist of:

a) An internal meeting of the peer assessment team to review and finalize the official survey program; matters to take note of and contents related to the official survey before carrying out the peer assessment with the institution undergoing peer assessment;

b) Meeting with the council for self-assessment, unit in charge of preparing the self-assessment report and other units of the institution undergoing peer assessment; carrying out facility surveys; meeting, interviewing and discussing with the representative of managerial officials, relevant employers, teachers and learners to collect and verify information and evidence provided by the institution undergoing peer assessment;

c) Assessment and determination of the ability to meet each criterion or standard of vocational education accreditation of the institution undergoing peer assessment;

d) Formulation of the draft peer assessment report. The draft peer assessment report must be approved by at least 2/3 of the members of the peer assessment team;

dd) An official survey conclusion meeting with the institution undergoing peer assessment. The meeting is to confirm the official survey by the peer assessment team and all evidence provided by the institution undergoing peer assessment, and shall take place on the last day of the official survey period.

Article 24. Compilation of the peer assessment dossier

1. Within 10 working days from the date of completion of the official survey, the peer assessment team shall compile a peer assessment dossier and submit the whole dossier to the accreditation organization.

2. A peer assessment dossier shall include:

a) A report on peer assessment process, including a summary of the process; work program of the peer assessment team; assignment of tasks among the team members; records of the official survey conclusion meeting between the peer assessment team and the institution undergoing peer assessment;

b) A draft peer assessment report in compliance with the form in Appendix 1 enclosed therewith for accreditation of a vocational education institution or the form in Appendix 2 enclosed therewith for training program accreditation.

Section 3. RECOGNITION OF PEER ASSESSMENT RESULTS AND ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY WITH ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

Article 25. Procedures for recognition of the peer assessment result

Procedures for recognition of the peer assessment result include:

1. Appraisal of the peer assessment result.

2. Recognition of the peer assessment result and issuance of the certificate of conformity with accreditation standards.

3. Announcement of the peer assessment result.

Article 26. Council for vocational education accreditation

1. The head of the accreditation organization shall decide establishment of a council for vocational education accreditation (hereinafter referred to as “accreditation council”). The accreditation council may use the seal of the accreditation for its tasks.

2. The accreditation council shall appraise the peer assessment result; submit the appraisal result to the person in charge of vocational education accreditation for issuance of decision on recognition of the peer assessment result and submit the appraisal result to the head of the accreditation organization for issuance of the certificate of conformity with accreditation standards.

3. The accreditation council shall have an odd number of members and consist of at least 9 (nine) members.

4. The accreditation council comprises the chairperson, deputy chairperson (if any), secretary and other members, in which:

a) The chairperson shall be the person in charge of vocational education accreditation activities of the accreditation organization;

b) The secretary shall be a person who works under a full-time labor contract or an employment contract with duration of at least 12 month for the accreditation organization;

c) Other members shall consist of reputable persons with experience in educational and/or vocational education management, teaching or research; employers and representatives of socio-professional organizations. The member’s tenure is 05 years and a member shall not participate for more than two consecutive tenures.  

5. Principles for operation of the accreditation council:

a) The accreditation council shall operate on the basis of democratic centralism and open discussion on matters related to the council’s tasks. If necessary, the accreditation organization may consult experts of relevant fields during appraisal of the peer assessment result. Resolutions of the accreditation council must be approved by at least 2/3 of the council’s members;

b) A council’s member shall not participate in appraisal of the peer assessment result if the institution undergoing peer assessment is the member's workplace or the member is a participant of the peer assessment team for accreditation of such institution;

c) In case an accreditation council's member must be replaced, the head of the accreditation organization shall issue a decision on replacement of accreditation council’s member.

6. Within 05 working days from the date on which an establishment decision or decision on replacement of accreditation council's member is signed, the accreditation organization shall send the decision to the Directorate of Vocational Training and Department of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs of the province where the accreditation organization’s headquarters is located for local management. The establishment decision or decision on replacement of accreditation council's member shall be announced on the accreditation organization’s website.

Article 27. Procedures for and duration of appraisal of the peer assessment result<0}

1. Procedures for appraisal of the peer assessment result include the following steps:

a) The accreditation organization sends the peer assessment dossier to all members of the accreditation council;

b) The accreditation council examines the peer assessment dossier; gives comments or requests the peer assessment team and/or experts to explain any content of the dossier if necessary. If the accreditation council requests explanation from the peer assessment team and/or experts, it shall send a request for explanation in writing;

c) The accreditation council convokes and draws up a resolution regarding the peer assessment result.

2. Duration of appraisal of the peer assessment result is 35 working days from the date of receipt of the peer assessment dossier according to regulations of Point a Clause 1 Article 23 of the Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP.

Article 28. Completion of peer assessment report and resolution in the event that the institution undergoing peer assessment disagrees with the peer assessment report

1. Within 07 working days from the date on which the accreditation council issues a resolution on appraisal of the peer assessment result, the accreditation organization shall complete the peer assessment report and send it to the institution undergoing peer assessment, and concurrently post the draft summary of the peer assessment result on the accreditation organization’s website for comments. Duration of such posting is 10 working days. <0}

2. Within 10 working days from the date of receipt of the peer assessment report, the institution undergoing peer assessment shall send its feedbacks, including points of agreement or disagreement regarding the report, to the accreditation council in writing. The institution undergoing peer assessment shall provide the reasons for any point of disagreement and copy of the detailed evidence. If the institution undergoing peer assessment does not give any feedback within the aforesaid duration, it is considered to have agreed with the report.  

3. In case the institution undergoing peer assessment disagrees with the peer assessment report, the accreditation council shall consider the points of disagreement and copy of evidence (if any) and re-appraise the peer assessment result according to regulations of Article 27 herein. If necessary, the accreditation council may assign 1 (one) or 2 (two) of its members to visit the institution undergoing peer assessment and consider and evaluate the contents that lack sufficient evidence within maximum 02 working days. The second appraisal result is the final decision regarding appraisal of the peer assessment result.

Article 29. Recognition of the peer assessment result and issuance of certificate of conformity with accreditation standards

The accreditation organization shall recognize the peer assessment result according to regulations of Point b Clause 1 Article 23 of the Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP and issue the certificate of conformity with accreditation standards according regulations of Clause 2 Article 23 of the Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP.

Article 30. Announcement of the peer assessment result and update of the peer assessment result to database

1. The accreditation organization shall prepare a summary of the peer assessment result in compliance with the form in Appendix 3 enclosed therewith for accreditation of a vocational education institution or the form in Appendix 4 enclosed therewith for training program accreditation.

2. The accreditation organization shall send copies of the summary of the peer assessment result, decision on recognition of the peer assessment result and certificate of conformity with accreditation standards (if any) according regulations of Clause 3 Article 23 of the Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP.

3. Within 10 working days from the date on which the decision on recognition of the peer assessment result is signed, the accreditation organization shall update its database and announce the summary of the peer assessment result, decision on recognition of the peer assessment result, certificate of conformity with accreditation standards (if any), list of accreditation councils for appraising the peer assessment result and other relevant contents on the accreditation organization’s website.

4. The accreditation organization shall add the database on the peer assessment result to the national data on vocational education accreditation at the request of the Directorate of Vocational Training.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION CLAUSE

Article 31. Implementation

1. The Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs shall:

a) Approve the annual plan for accreditor card issuance;

b) Provide for matters related to the organizational structure and operation of the assessment council;

c) Allocate funding for designing test questions for accreditor card issuance assessment and for organizing accreditor card issuance assessment according to plans;

d) Review and inspect compliance with regulations on accreditor card issuance assessment and procedures for and cycle of vocational education accreditation.

2. The Directorate of Vocational Training shall:

a) Provide specialized guidance on vocational education accreditation to vocational education institutions, vocational education service providers, accreditation organizations and relevant state agencies and organizations for their compliance and report compilation;

b) Compile, manage and update information on vocational education accreditation, test questions for accreditor card issuance assessment and accreditors to the national database system. Archive documents related to accreditor card issuance assessment, issuance of the accreditor card and vocational education accreditation;

c) Organize the design, appraisal and promulgation of test questions for accreditor card issuance assessment;

d) Provide guidance on issuance of the accreditor card for the persons prescribed in Clause 2 Article 25 of the Decree No. 49/2018/ND-CP;

dd) Organize training and refresher courses on vocational education accreditation;

e) Review and inspect compliance with regulations on vocational education accreditation and handle violations according to regulations of this Circular and relevant legislative documents. <0}

3. Provincial People’s Committees shall:

Direct Departments of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs and competent authorities affiliated to provincial People’s Committees to inspect compliance with regulations on vocational education accreditation in localities.

4. Departments of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs shall:

Manage and inspect compliance with regulations on vocational education accreditation of vocational education institutions, vocational education service providers and accreditation organizations in localities.

5. Supervisory authorities of vocational education institutions and vocational education service providers shall:

a) Facilitate and prioritize investment for affiliated vocational education institutions and vocational education service providers to undergo vocational education accreditation;

b) Direct, expedite and inspect compliance with regulations on educational quality accreditation within their competence;

c) Cooperate with the Directorate of Vocational Training in vocational education accreditation of affiliated vocational education institutions and vocational education service providers.

6. Vocational education institutions and vocational education service providers shall:

a) Formulate and implement plans for vocational education accreditation according to regulations of this Circular. Report results of vocational education accreditation to the Directorate of Vocational Training, Departments of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs and supervisory authorities;

b) Provide adequate documents and information and performs tasks for vocational education accreditation;

c) Formulate and organize the implementation of action plans to address areas for improvement to maintain and improve vocational education quality.

7. Accreditation organizations shall:

a)  Manage accreditors and experts during the time they are employed by accreditation organizations according to regulations;

b) Undergo inspection and supervision and conform to other relevant requirements from the Directorate of Vocational Training and other competent authorities;

c) Announce contents and cost estimate for peer assessment activities, recognition of peer assessment results and issuance of certificate of conformity with accreditation standards on accreditation organization’s websites to serve as the bases for vocational education institutions and vocational education service providers to select accreditation organizations for peer assessment and for relevant parties to supervise;

d) Build databases for vocational education accreditation activities and websites to ensure announcement of peer assessment results, update databases according to regulations, ensure ease of searching; 

dd) Comply with other regulations that accreditation organizations are responsible for according to regulations.

Article 32. Effect

1. This Circular takes effect from February 15, 2019.

2. The following documents are annulled from the date this Circular comes into effect:

a) Decision No. 07/2008/QD-BLDTBXH dated March 25, 2008 by the Minister of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs on vocational training accreditor;

b) Circular No. 42/2011/TT-BLDTBXH dated December 29, 2011 by the Minister of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs on procedures for vocational training accreditation.

3. Any difficulty that arises during the implementation of this Circular shall be reported to the Ministry Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs for guidance./.

APPENDIX 1

PEER ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ACCREDITATION OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INSTITUTION
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 27/2018/TT-LDTBXH dated December 25, 2018 by the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs)

<NAME OF SUPERVISORY BODY/UNIT>

<NAME OF ACCREDITATION ORGANIZATION>

 ______________________

[Date]

PEER ASSESSMENT REPORT

YEAR...............

<Name of vocational education institution>

List of members of peer assessment team

List of experts participating in surveys and providing consultancy (if any)

INFORMATION ON COMPETENCE OF ACCREDITORS AND EXPERTS (if any)

- Number of discipline groups of institution (for current vocational disciplines):.......... discipline groups;

- Number of discipline groups with competent accreditors or experts:.......... discipline groups. Percentage:...... %.

CONTENTS OF PEER ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR ACCREDITATION OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INSTITUTION

Form 1.1 TOTAL ASSESSMENT SCORES FOR ALL CRITERIA AND STANDARDS

Form 1.2. REPORT ON DETAILED ASSESSMENT BASED ON CRITERION <N>

CRITERION <N>:…<Contents of criterion N>…

1. Assessment scores:

2. Strengths:…

3. Areas for improvement:…

4. Recommendations for vocational education institution:…

Standard N.1:… <Contents of standard N. 1>…

1. Description, analysis, comment:.............

2.Assessment based on standard N.1:

Standard N.2:… <Contents of standard N.2>…

  (Presented in the same manner as Standard N.1)

.............................

Standard N.j:… <Contents of standard N.j>…

 (Presented in the same manner as Standard N.1)

Form 1.3. RESULT OF INSPECTION OF EVIDENCE IN SELF-ASSESSMENT REPORT AND ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE

1. Inspection of evidence provided by vocational education institution in self-assessment report

 (Expand the table according to the number of evidence and order of criteria/standards)

2. Inspection of additional evidence provided by vocational education institution at the request of peer assessment team

 (Expand the table according to the number of evidence and order of criteria/standards)

Form 1.4. BASIC INFORMATION ON VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INSTITUTION UNDERGOING PEER ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX 2

PEER ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR TRAINING PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 27/2018/TT-LDTBXH dated December 25, 2018 by the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs)

<NAME OF SUPERVISORY BODY/UNIT>

<NAME OF ACCREDITATION ORGANIZATION>

______________________

 [Date]

PEER ASSESSMENT REPORT

Vocational discipline:...................................................

Level:... <college/intermediate/elementary>…

<Name of vocational education institution/vocational education service provider>

Year...............

List of members of peer assessment team

List of experts participating in surveys and providing consultancy (if any)

INFORMATION ON COMPETENCE OF ACCREDITORS AND EXPERTS (if any)

CONTENTS OF PEER ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR TRAINING PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

Form 2.1 TOTAL ASSESSMENT SCORES FOR ALL CRITERIA AND STANDARDS

Form 2.2. REPORT ON DETAILED ASSESSMENT BASED ON CRITERION <N>

CRITERION <N>:…<Contents of criterion N>…

1. Assessment scores:

2. Strengths:…

3. Areas for improvement:…

4. Recommendations for vocational education institution/vocational education service provider:…

Standard N.1:… <Contents of standard N.1>…

1. Description, analysis, comment:.......................

2.Assessment based on standard N.1:

Standard N.2:… <Contents of standard N.2>…

 (Presented in the same manner as Standard N.1)

.............................

Standard N.j:… <Contents of standard N.j>…

 (Presented in the same manner as Standard N.1)

Form 2.3. RESULT OF INSPECTION OF EVIDENCE IN SELF-ASSESSMENT REPORT AND ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE

1. Inspection of evidence in report on self-assessment of training program

 (Expand the table according to the number of evidence and order of criteria/standards)

2. Inspection of additional evidence provided at the request of peer assessment team

 (Expand the table according to the number of evidence and order of criteria/standards)

Form 2.4. BASIC INFORMATION ON TRAINING PROGRAM UNDERGOING PEER ASSESSMENT

I. Information on vocational education institution/vocational education service provider

II. Information on training program undergoing peer assessment

APPENDIX 3

SUMMARY OF PEER ASSESSMENT RESULT FOR ACCREDITATION OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INSTITUTION
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 27/2018/TT-LDTBXH dated December 25, 2018 by the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs)

SUMMARY OF PEER ASSESSMENT RESULT

Year...........

<Name of vocational education institution>

1. Total assessment scores for all criteria and standards

2. Recommendations for vocational education institution

3. Other recommendations:

APPENDIX 4

SUMMARY OF PEER ASSESSMENT RESULT FOR TRAINING PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
(Enclosed with the Circular No. 27/2018/TT-LDTBXH dated December 25, 2018 by the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs)

SUMMARY OF PEER ASSESSMENT RESULT

<Name of training program:....................................>

Level:... <college/intermediate/elementary>…

<Name of vocational education institution/vocational education service provider>

Year…..

1. Total assessment scores for all criteria and standards

2. Recommendations for vocational education institution/vocational education service provider

3. Other recommendations

1 Total assessment scores for all accreditation criteria and standards according to Form 1.1

2 Report on detailed assessment based on criterion according to Form 1.2

3 Result of inspection of evidence in self-assessment report and additional evidence according to Form 1.3

4 Basic information on vocational education institution undergoing peer assessment according to Form 1.4

1 Total assessment scores for all accreditation criteria and standards according to Form 2.1

2 Report on detailed assessment based on criterion according to Form 2.2

3 Results of inspection of evidence in self-assessment report and additional evidence according to Form 2.3

4 Basic information on training program undergoing peer assessment according to Form 2.4