Marking 20 years after the Copenhagen Declaration, the milestone in European cooperation on vocational education and training (VET), a two-day conference highlighted the findings of Cedefop's research on the overall direction European VET is taking and what this implies for the future.
The virtual conference took place on 5 and 6 December and provided an opportunity for over 180 policy-makers, stakeholders, experts and researchers to discuss the final findings of the future of vocational education and training project.
Building on the systematic research carried out by Cedefop, the conference linked directly to the ongoing political discussion on the future of European VET evidenced in the 2020 European Skills Agenda, VET Council Recommendation and Osnabrück Declaration.
Change to stay relevant
Opening the event, Cedefop Executive Director Jürgen Siebel noted that ‘VET systems are indeed changing to stay relevant. And while most countries move forward through small steps, as revolutions are rare in our area, the long-term implication is the emergence of modernised and more flexible VET systems able to serve learners of all ages and with different needs.’
The findings of both related Cedefop projects, 'The changing nature and role of VET in Europe (2015-18)' and 'The future of VET in Europe (2020-22)', were presented, sparking a discussion on whether:
- VET is gradually being marginalised by changing skill needs and the enlargement of the footprint of general and academic education, or
- it is actually expanding, responding to the needs of labour markets for work and practice-based skills.
These two tendencies, it was concluded, still coexist at the current juncture, and the jury is still out on whether one shall prevail over the other or they will continue on their parallel ways.
Invited speakers analysed the emerging role of VET in a global, European and national perspective and addressed the key challenges, opportunities and dilemmas for the future. During a session dedicated to the 20 years of European cooperation in VET, chaired by Cedefop Head of Department for VET and Qualifications Loukas Zahilas, the challenges and success stories of European joint work in this area were highlighted.
Cedefop research 'a strong basis'
Cedefop experts Jens Bjørnåvold, whose distinguished career at Cedefop came to a close at the event, and Anastasia Pouliou presented the Agency's research as part of the Future of VET project, while four break-out sessions discussed:
- the review and renewal of VET content
- changes in VET delivery
- changes in assessment
- the link between initial (IVET) and continuing VET (CVET)
Speakers noted that the perspectives developed in the Cedefop research programme provide a strong basis for further developing comparative methodologies, that the quality and attractiveness of VET should be strengthened in the future and that, while this will require a change in the overall conceptualisation of VET, it will also require systematic investment in research, by adding resources, building networks and strengthening cooperation.
Participants agreed that the next phase of Cedefop’s work on the future of VET, starting in 2023, could play a significant part in taking research in the field forward.
