On October 10, 2024, an online seminar on transnational peer review at the provider level for vocational education and training was held, gathering around 60 participants. The seminar was organized by the National Reference Points (NRP) from Croatia, Estonia, Finland, and Slovenia within the Erasmus+ EQAVET NRP project. The event focused on improving quality assurance in vocational education. Key topics included peer review methodologies, EU initiatives, and sustainability in vocational education. The event provided valuable insights into these topics and laid the foundation for the future development of transnational peer reviews.

The seminar began with a welcome from the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (AVETAE) from Croatia, along with representatives from the European Commission. The introductory session opened the door to a series of informative presentations and discussions.

Key topics covered during the webinar included:

• Transnational Peer Review at VET provider level : The Finnish partner in the project activity provided participants with an overview of this peer review initiative, highlighting its goals and benefits for vocational education institutions.
• Current EU Initiatives: Anette Curth from the EQAVET Secretariat discussed ongoing efforts at the EU level to support quality assurance schemes at VET provider level, based on the EQAVET survey from May 2024.
• Training on Peer Review: Tiina Halmevuo from the Keuda Group led a training session on the peer review methodology, which was divided into two parts: the WHY and the HOW. The WHY part focused on the goals and principles of peer review, quality areas, and criteria, while the HOW part covered roles and responsibilities, preparation and implementation, and the impact of peer review on continuous improvement.
• Sustainability in Vocational Education: Erkka Laininen from the OKKA Foundation shared insights on integrating sustainability into vocational education activities, supported by examples from vocational schools in Croatia, Estonia, Finland, and Slovenia.

The event concluded with a summary and final session, leaving participants better acquainted with the project's goals and the future direction of transnational peer review at VET provider level, including the improvement of quality and sustainability in vocational education provision.

This is the first of two preparatory workshops held in 2024 as preparation for the implementation of international peer reviews in 2025 in Croatia, Estonia, Finland, and Slovenia.