A study on Establishment of Quality Management System for National Competency Standards(NCS)-based VET Curriculum
Researcher-in-charge: Choi, Dong Sun
Ⅰ. Background and purpose of research
■ The purpose of this study is to seek ways to establish a quality management system for NCS-based VET curriculum.
• Specifically, this study analyzed the concept and characteristics of quality management of NCS-based VET curriculum, and analyzed related overseas cases and trends, suggesting ways to establish quality managements system for NCS-based VET curriculum.
• In this study, literature reviews were carried out on NCS, learning modules, competency-based VET curriculum, and evaluation of curriculum and expert interviews as well as Focus Group Interview (FGI) were conducted.
Ⅱ. Major Contents of Research
1. The concept of quality management of NCS-based VET curriculum
■ The concept of NCS-based VET curriculum
• NCS-based VET curriculum refers to the activities of selecting and organizing the contents of education, utilizing the National Competency Standards (NCS) so as to meet the competencies required in specific fields or occupations, thereby supporting the learners to develop vocational skills above certain levels.
■ In general, NCS-based VET curriculum is specified as a combination of relevant
NCS competency units in that it is the unit of competency that derives the competences required in industry at functional levels which could be applied in education and training as well as evaluation.
■ However, there is a logical and systematic way to establish the relationship between competency defined by NCS and learning outcomes from VET curriculum, that is, to derive appropriate vocational skills from NCS and to convert them into learning outcomes.
■ Definition of quality management of NCS-based VET curriculum
• In this study, quality management is defined as a continuous improvement activity for securing excellence in the subject of quality evaluation and it is considered as an activity conducted for efficient organization and implementation of NCS-based VET curriculum.
• The quality management system of NCS-based VET curriculum can be defined as a system for deriving expected outcomes from the implementation of high quality VET curriculum.
2. Opinions on organization and implementation of NCS-based VET curriculum and directions for its quality management
■ The results of Focus Group Interviews (FGI) with experts from junior colleges, Korea Polytechnics, vocational training institutes and industry are summarized as follows.
■ It is well recognized that the main objectives of NCS-based VET curriculum are to reduce the mismatch after employment and to improve the adaptability of workers for jobs by providing industry and job-based education and training.
• However, it should be noted that only a few references were made to its linkage with qualifications, lifelong learning or labor market outcomes(e.g. recruitment, salary).
■ Although the FGI participants shared the perception of the purpose of the NCS-based curriculum, there were some negative aspects as well as positive aspects in its performance they identified.
• The expected outcomes of introducing NCS-based curriculum include improvement of learners’ vocational competencies due to the practice-oriented education and training, educational goal setting from the perspective of demand side (learners or industry) and improvement of instructional design.
• Despite such positive expectations for the outcomes, there is a negative perception that even if NCS-based curriculum is introduced, there will be no significant differences compared to the past or that the expected outcomes may not be achieved in the labor market.
■ The FGI participants shared views that NCS-based curriculum is increasingly being implemented at their institutions.
• The main challenges and obstacles they identified in this process include; ① the rigidity of the policy implementation or system, ② the difficulty in securing experiment and training facilities and equipment, ③ expertise of teachers and lecturers,
④ the increase in the workload related to learner evaluation, and ⑤ demotivation due to frequent performance assessments.
■ There are positive and negative views on the certification system of NCS-based curriculum. In particular, premature introduction of introduction of certification system may produce negative results because the scope or level of understanding in regard to the NCS is different.
■ Many criticized that NCS has some problems due to its rapid development as below:
• ① the problem of mismatch where NCS does not properly reflect industry demand,
② the difficulty of reaching agreement between the industry and the education sector in the revision process of NCS, and ③ the structure of NCS that makes it difficult to allocate sufficient time for learning theory (or basic knowledge).
■ The industry and education sector should cooperate for efficient organization and implementation of NCS-based VET curriculum through NCS.
• The industry participation has been passive until now. Above all, there is no mutual feedback system between NCS development and revision and curriculum organization and implementation
Ⅲ. Policy Suggestions
1. Components for quality management of NCS-based VET curriculum
■ We propose the components for quality management of NCS-based VET curriculum based on existing literature and interviews as follows:
A. Consistency with relevant NCS
A-1. to ensure logical validity for selecting the NCS competency unit appropriate for the goals of the curriculum and the workforce it aims to nurture.
A-2. to improve consistency between NCS performance criteria and curriculum achievement standards
B. Systematic curriculum design and planning based NCS
B-1. to set clear expected learning outcomes after completion of NCS-based education and training programs
B-2. to set objectives of the NCS-based programs for nurturing workforce in line with the NCS system
B-3. to utilize the NCS system flexibly to meet the local and industrial demand B-4. to design and plan modular learning activities based on competency unit elements to avoid duplication or omission of contents
B-5. to include NCS-based job competencies (job-specific skills) and basic competencies
C. Effective management of NCS-based curriculum
C-1. to provide learners with sufficient information on the education and training program and related qualifications
C-2. to conduct diagnostic evaluations to provide appropriate programs for learners C-3. to secure learning materials, education and training facilities and equipment
necessary for effective teaching and learning activities.
D. Operation of performance-oriented evaluation system suitable for NCS system
D-1. to check whether the educational goals have been met by applying systematic evaluation plan and evaluation method
D-2. to ensure the applicability of evaluation results for learners who have completed NCS-based education and training programs
D-2. to operate a system that provides appropriate feedbacks on the learner's learning outcomes
E. Expansion of Infrastructure for implementation of NCS-based curriculum
E-1. to build the capacity of instructors so that they could design education and training programs reflecting the industry demand, teach the appropriate vocational skills and assess the learner’s performance
E-2. to ensure industry participation throughout the process of planning, design, implementation and evaluation of the programs
2. Suggestions for building an effective quality management system for NCS-based VET curriculum
■ NCS needs continuous revision and improvement.
• Capacity units and performance criteria should be maintained in such a way that they could deliver industry demand systematically and appropriately.
• Discussions are needed on whether competency units or performance criteria should be composed only of the tasks performed in the industry or they should include related extra knowledge workers are expected to learn.
■ NCS needs continuous revision and improvement.
■ Qualification standards and National Qualifications Framework(NQF) should be established based on NCS.
■ Human infrastructure needs to be expanded for efficient organization and implementation of NCS-based education and training programs, which needs to be discussed in the short term.
• Expansion of human infrastructure includes; ① capacity building of instructors related to NCS-based curriculum, ② nurturing experts in vocational competency assessment ③ nurturing job analysis experts.
■ Governance structure is needed for efficient implementation of NCS-based curriculum.
• Such governance structure should ① strengthen the industry-school collaboration at institutional level, ② strengthen education and training capacities of industry councils and professional associations, and ③ organize and operate councils of related bodies.
