This article describes a pilot experience in the building of a quality management system based on ISO 9001:2015 to be implemented in a vocational higher education institution from southern Chile. The work took a qualitative perspective, which considered document analysis, interviews and focus group with members of the educational community. Major adjustments were made on the institution's management model, including the restructuration of organizational processes and the creation of documents that are needed to the execution of these ones. Besides that, the participative building and implementation of the system allowed that the organizational objectives stayed clearer for its members. The adoption this kind of management system, thus, represents a great help for educational institutions that have been recently created.