The 2002 Copenhagen declaration set up a process of closer cooperation in vocational education and training (VET) in Europe, involving governments, social partners and EU institutions. By 2010, 33 countries are participating in this process. The progress and priorities of cooperation were assessed and reviewed at two-year intervals (Maastricht, Helsinki, Bordeaux and Bruges communiqués).
Since 2004, Cedefop has been mandated to report on how countries are progressing towards achieving commonly agreed VET policy goals. The most recent policy report "A bridge to the future. European policy for vocational education and training 2002-10" has been published on 7 December 2010 (see "Selected for you").##
To do this, Cedefop analyses VET policies and their implementation; reviews good practices, compiles research findings, and provides comparable information on VET systems in Europe.
The agency works on several related projects and outcomes:
- The Policy reports analyse progress in VET policies and on the modernisation of VET systems in European countries;
- VET in Europe project provides comparable descriptions of national VET systems and their development;
- The VET financing project compares the various strategies and mechanisms used by European countries to ensure investing in training, and evaluates their effectiveness and efficiency;
- Cedefop’s Research report (2009) reviews research findings on policies and factors that drive or impede the modernisation of VET.
