Quality Assurance of Work-Based Learning (WBL) Workshop

Project Overview

Project Name : CPD in VET QA
Project Date : Friday, 26th of September 2025
Speakers : Dr Carlos Grima and Dr Heathcliff Schembri
Venue : Veranda, Sqaq Tac-Cawla, Ir-Rabat

As part of the EQAVET 2023 project, the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) organised a full-day workshop titled “Quality Assurance of Work-Based Learning (WBL)”. The event aimed to strengthen national understanding of quality assurance (QA) mechanisms within work- based learning environments and to foster dialogue between education providers, employers, and quality assurance professionals.

The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and explore effective strategies to ensure that WBL practices maintain high quality, relevance, and alignment with both learner and labour market needs.

Objectives of Participation

The main objectives of the Quality Assurance of Work-Based Learning (WBL) workshop were to:

Deepen participants’ understanding of the conceptual foundations of WBL and its relationship with QA principles.
Promote best practices in governance, risk management, and equity within WBL systems.
Strengthen collaboration between educational institutions and employers to enhance the design and delivery of WBL programmes.
Highlight the role of learner-centred QA approaches, including the incorporation of student feedback and continuous improvement processes.
Support the dissemination of EQAVET 2023 project outcomes and reinforce MFHEA’s role in advancing quality culture across the education and training sector.

Engagement and Activities

The workshop commenced with registration and a welcome coffee, followed by a welcome speech that outlined the day’s objectives and context within the EQAVET 2023 project.

Part A – Quality Foundations in Work-Based Learning introduced key theoretical and practical aspects of WBL, with Dr Carlos Grima and Dr Heathcliff Schembri leading discussions on:

Framing WBL and Quality Assurance: Conceptual Foundations
Principles of QA in WBL: Governance, Risk, and Equity

A coffee break allowed participants to network and exchange insights before Part B – Strengthening QA through Engagement and Alignment. This session explored:

Aligning QA with Curriculum, Employer Engagement, and Assessment
Learner-Centred QA: Feedback Loops and Student Voice

The event concluded with an open Q&A session and discussion, during which participants reflected on practical applications of the presented concepts. A networking lunch followed, enabling further exchange of experiences and potential collaboration opportunities.

Throughout the day, MFHEA staff facilitated interactive discussions, gathered participant feedback, and encouraged stakeholders to share examples of good practice and areas for development.

Feedback and Observations

Feedback from participants was relatively positive. Attendees appreciated the workshop’s balance between conceptual understanding and practical application, noting that the examples provided were relevant to both academic and vocational contexts.

Many participants emphasised the importance of strong employer engagement and ongoing evaluation mechanisms in ensuring that WBL maintains quality and responsiveness to evolving labour market demands.

The discussions also highlighted the growing recognition of the learner’s voice in QA processes, with several participants expressing interest in incorporating structured feedback loops within their own institutions.

MFHEA staff observed high levels of engagement throughout, particularly during the interactive sessions, demonstrating a shared commitment among stakeholders to strengthening Malta’s QA framework for WBL.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The Quality Assurance of Work-Based Learning (WBL) Workshop was a successful dissemination and capacity-building activity under the EQAVET 2023 project. It effectively enhanced awareness of QA practices in WBL, fostered collaboration among key stakeholders, and reaffirmed MFHEA’s leadership in promoting excellence and consistency within the national education and training system.

Building on the positive outcomes, MFHEA will continue to:

Disseminate the workshop’s key messages and materials through its communication channels.
Encourage institutions to integrate learner feedback mechanisms and strengthen QA links with employers; and

Overall, the event reinforced the importance of sustained dialogue, transparency, and collaboration in maintaining the integrity and relevance of work-based learning across Malta’s education landscape.