PISA VET

The Programme for International Student Assessment, PISA for short, is recognized worldwide as a survey of school performance.

Taking account of pioneering German VET research and of the BMBF’s ASCOT skills research initiative, the OECD is currently developing an international vocational education and training assessment project (PISA VET). BMBF support helps the OECD and German skills researchers working in international OECD teams to develop reliable testing procedures and instruments for the great diversity of VET systems and enable an adequate and scientifically valid measurement of the specific features of dual vocational education and training.

The outcome of discussions by expert groups will help answer the question of whether an international skills assessment in VET is feasible and will thus be an essential prerequisite for decision-making about a pilot phase starting in 2024.

Objectives

The dual system of vocational education and training is a success story. It opens up attractive careers for people and helps companies maintain their leading position in global competition. However, this requires that our VET system is constantly modernizing and adapting.

The international PISA VET assessment will help us determine where we are. Findings from this comparative exercise will inform VET policy-makers of the strengths and weaknesses of different VET systems, achievement levels in sample occupations and any resulting need for modernization. Conclusions from the skills assessment can be considered and, where necessary, translated into targeted measures, actions and programmes to foster skills development among VET learners and employees.

International skills assessment: key points

A framework will be drafted by the end of 2024 under the leadership of the OECD to establish whether the project can be realized and, if so, examine its technical, logistical and financial feasibility in a pilot phase. The results will be evaluated by the OECD’s PISA Governing Board (PGB) and Education Policy Committee (EDPC) in a multi-stage process involving the member states.

PISA VET is an initiative of the OECD which relies on the member states’ voluntary involvement and financial support. There will be no automatic participation in the roll-out of a PISA VET which is planned to start in 2028.

During the current development phase, international research teams are focusing on learners who are close to the completion of their initial VET programme. The target group of adult learners which is significant in some national systems will be covered by a separate sub-group.

In the following five occupational areas, the expert groups are defining typical work tasks and activities in order to develop relevant testing instruments and test items.
• Electrician
• Motor vehicle mechatronics
• Business and administration
• Health care
• Tourism and hospitality

Furthermore, one sub-group is addressing employability skills because PISA VET will assess both occupation-specific skills and transversal skills.

The assessment will include cross-cutting competences such as problem solving, digital literacy and reading skills of VET learners. In addition, cross-cutting topics will be considered in all occupational areas. VET learners will also be questioned about their living and learning contexts.

The working groups are coordinated by lead experts. Germany provides the lead experts for the sub-groups on motor vehicle mechatronics and business and administration as well as for the group on employability skills. Vocational experts and skills researchers from BIBB are also participating in the working groups.

German participation in the development phase

The BMBF agreed early on with the Länder (KMK) and the social partners to become involved in the development phase of a PISA VET which will take due account of the specific features of Germany's dual VET system, the underlying skills concept and national research results. This includes agreement that there should be no automatic participation in a subsequent roll-out; a decision on participation will be taken in a separate process of political coordination if the project produces suitable results.

A BMBF-led national monitoring committee involving the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Länder, employers and unions and BIBB supports the initiative and its work.