Setting out a vision of high quality vocational education and training (VET) in Europe that is attractive and accessible to young people and adults and highly relevant to the labour market, in 2010, the Bruges communiqué relaunched reform of VET in the European Union (EU).
The timing was important. Following the economic crisis, the communiqué marked another significant step in European cooperation in VET. Member States, joined by other European countries, the European Commission and European social partners set out strategic objectives for the period 2011-20 supported by ‘short-term deliverables’ to be achieved by 2014.
As part of this vision, the communiqué foresaw flexible, open and innovative learning methods, supported by well-qualified teachers and trainers, state-of-the-art facilities and backed by enterprises and the social partners.
But how far have we come?
This conference will bring European, Member State and social partner policy makers together with VET experts, providers and learners to reflect on the progress made in European VET policy.
Based on Cedefop’s report that has monitored reform of national VET policies and, specifically, the short-term deliverables, the conference will discuss successes as well as obstacles and bottlenecks to reform and how they can be overcome.
It will provide a major opportunity for policy learning on how to achieve the Bruges strategic objectives through exchanges of experience on specific measures taken by governments, social partners and other stakeholders.
Four themes will provide the focus for discussion - VET and innovation: how important are partnerships for innovation? What is VET’s role in the skills ecosystem? Do VET teachers and trainers have the skills to support innovation?
- Key competences for the labour market: what mix of job specific and general skills should VET develop? What support do VET teachers and trainers need?
- Monitoring labour market outcomes to improve VET provision: how to collect data and monitor labour market outcomes? What mechanisms can be used to feed the results into VET and VET-related policies?
- Using incentives effectively in VET: what are the various financial and non-financial incentives? What are their objectives (for example to prevent or reduce early school leaving, continue studies in VET)? Who do they help?
Specific country examples will spur debate on each theme.
If you should like to take part in the conference and to contribute your ideas please go to our registration page.
We look forward to seeing you. |