Agenda
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Cedefop, together with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), is organising on 20 and 21 May 2019 in Brussels, the Second Policy Learning Forum on upskilling pathways: a vision for the future.

Cedefop and EESC Policy Learning Fora (PLF) on upskilling pathways are a series of policy learning events on the topic aimed at providing a platform for countries to come together to learn from one another and explore common challenges in upskilling adults with low level of skills.

The PLF on Upskilling Pathways held on February 2018 demonstrated that while many countries are already equipped to provide skills identification, training provision tailored to individuals’ needs and/or validation and recognition of prior learning, much needs to be done in bringing together these policies and services in a coordinated manner and within a coherent strategy. Importantly, a coordinated and coherent strategy to the upskilling of adults also needs to be embedded in a system recognising the heterogeneity of the low skilled population, with its different needs and characteristics.

The 2019 PLF starts from here. It builds on the outcomes and common challenges identified in the 2018 PLF and aims at bringing together stakeholders to effectively support them in the implementation of Upskilling Pathways for adults.

Participants will have the opportunity to work together to:

  • reflect and discuss the needs and policy responses aimed at the different priority target groups of low skilled adults identified;
  • learn how countries with similar priorities organise their approach to upskilling specific groups of low skilled adults;
  • reflect on different visions of upskilling adults, across and within countries and discuss evolving approaches to upskilling;
  • refine and customise the analytical framework for upskilling adults provided by Cedefop, as to address national specific priorities and challenges.

Discussions are expected to lead to the following outcomes:

  • become familiar with modes of organising upskilling pathways for adults in countries with similar and different approaches to it;
  • increased awareness of the importance of a shared vision of upskilling adults and understanding of the different visions across and within countries;
  • learn about changes and developments in EU countries, Iceland and Norway;
  • increased knowledge on priority target groups in need of upskilling in the EU-28 MSs, Iceland and Norway and how to best address them;
  • customised and refined analytical framework for upskilling adults which can support countries in addressing national-specific priorities and challenges.
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The European skills and jobs survey (ESJS) is a major survey of adult employees carried out by Cedefop in all EU Member States. It constitutes Cedefop’s first large-scale EU-wide survey, carried out in 2014 to investigate the determinants of skills development and mismatch in EU countries.

The information collected in the first ESJS wave provided valuable information to EU policymakers on the prevalence of digital and other skill gaps among EU workers, skill needs in jobs, determinants of non-formal and informal learning, factors conducive to high overeducation in labour markets and transitions to better matched jobs. The data also enabled the calculation of the risk of automation in EU labour markets and the labour market outcomes of skills obsolescence among EU employees due to changing workplace technologies (see Cedefop, 2018; Polachek et al., 2017).

Given the significant added value of the first wave, Cedefop launched in 2018 the process of carrying out the 2nd European skills and jobs survey, with fieldwork scheduled for 2020-21. The aim of the 2nd wave will be to collect comparative EU-wide information enabling investigation of the impact of technological change and digitalisation on workers’ job tasks and skill mismatch/obsolescence and their readiness to adapt to changing skill needs via (new) learning practices.

To facilitate the development of the survey instrument, Cedefop has put together an expert working group of leading experts on skills, skill mismatch and the impact of digitalisation on labour markets. The aim of this first meeting of the ESJS expert working group was to engage, together with the group members, in a first discussion about the requirements and challenges of meeting the renewed aim of the survey, deeper understanding of policymaking needs and potential barriers and biases to survey implementation.

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A debate jointly organised by Cedefop (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training) and Ms Anne Sander (MEP) on the issue of the future of vocational education and training (VET) in Europe.

The event will provide an opportunity for Cedefop to inform the Members on the latest work of Cedefop on the rapidly changing nature and role of VET in Europe. Building on research covering a total of 30 countries, a set of ‘Scenarios 2035’ will be presented, illustrating the choices faced by policy makers and stakeholders in the years ahead. The seminar provides an opportunity to reflect on the role played by VET in the overall education and training system as well as in relation to the labour market and society at large.

Further details regarding this project can be found in the Cedefop briefing note: What future for vocational education and training in Europe?

The event will be also an opportunity to celebrate Cedefop’s new Founding Regulation, to which Ms Anne Sander had an important contribution in her position of Rapporteur for the file, on behalf of the Employment and Social Committee (EMPL).

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In the context of its European Community of Learning Providers, Cedefop announces that the fourth meeting of the Working Group 1 “Learning Providers and the challenge of TEL: enhancing teachers’ and trainers’ e-skills” will take place in Paris on Monday 1 and on Tuesday, 2 April 2019.

The meeting aims at discussing the group’s work since its third meeting on 5-6 November 2018, in view of formulating by late 2019 concrete practical guidance to VET-providers and suggestions to the EU Commission for its post 2020 programming period.

More information will be available in due time.

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Cedefop informs that the fourth meeting of the thematic working group 3:  “Learning Providers and Migration: Empowerment and Integration through Learning” will take place in Rome on Thursday, 4 and Friday, 5 April 2019.

The meeting will focus on the group’s work since its third meeting on 20-21 November 2018, in view of formulating by late 2019 concrete quality guidelines to VET-providers and suggestions to the EU Commission in relation to its post 2020 programming period.

More information will be provided at a later stage.

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Cedefop is currently organizing the fourth meeting of the Working Group 2: “Learning Providers and the EU Mobility: Reinforcing VET attractiveness through Staff engagementplanned to take place in Aveiro, Portugal on Monday, 8 and Tuesday, 9 April 2019.

The meeting aims at discussing work progress since the group’s third meeting on 27-28 November 2018, in view of formulating by late 2019 concrete practical guidelines to VET-providers and suggestions to the EU Commission for its post 2020 programming period.

More information will be published in due time.

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Welcome to Cedefop Policy Forum: “What role for community lifelong learning centres? The potential of one-stop shops for preventing youth at risk from disconnecting”.

Cedefop, in cooperation with the Lifelong Learning Platform, organised this policy forum to explore the potential of community lifelong learning centres as one-stop shops for preventing young people at risk and early leavers from education and training from disconnecting. The event was hosted by the Romanian Presidency of the Council in its permanent representation to the EU in Brussels.

This policy form involved the participation of approximately 80 Brussels-based stakeholders from the permanent representations of Member States to the EU, the European Commission, the European Parliament, European agencies, European business and sector associations, trade union and employee organisations, as well as national policy-makers, practitioners and social partners involved in designing and implementing integrated services to tackle early leaving from education and training.

Event rationale and aims

From a lifelong perspective, tackling early leaving from education and training (ELET) is an ongoing process, which requires a multidisciplinary and whole community approach.

The EU currently focuses on young people aged 18 to 24 who did not complete upper secondary education. However, evidence shows that skills and competences acquired during the first years of life affect future education and employment prospects. At the same time, thanks to support available, adults who had previously ruled out education and training are increasingly rediscovering their learning potential. This is why tackling early leaving from education and training begins as early as in kindergarten (early childhood education), and includes compensation measures to support young adults in acquiring at least an upper secondary qualification.

Focus of the forum

The forum focused on the potential of multidisciplinary teams in community lifelong learning centres (CLLC) to play a key role in tackling ELET. The forum was an opportunity to discuss Member State experiences in using integrated service delivery (one-stop shops, case management and multi-skilled teams) in different settings. Participants considered the potential for establishing CLLCs in disadvantaged areas across Europe. These would offer access to a wider range of learning opportunities for people of all ages, maximising the support offered by multidisciplinary teams. Participants were invited to reflect on the post-2020 agenda in the field to ensure continued progress towards improving EU citizens’ qualifications and skills.

Objectives

  • Explore and learn from selected good practices in Europe providing a more integrated solution to youth at risk through community-based LLL centres.
  • Identify key elements to be transferred or replicated from good practices across Europe.
  • Strengthen the case for establishing CLLCs across Europe.
  • Acknowledge achievements and reflect on the post-2020 agenda for tackling early leaving form education and training.
  • Explore the new edition of the Cedefop VET toolkit for tackling early leaving and its updated resources.
  • Get familiar with the Cedefop Reflection tool assisting policy makers in taking action towards a comprehensive approach to tackling early leaving from education and training.
  • Learn about the role of ambassadors to Cedefop’s VET toolkit for tackling early leaving and join the community of practice.

Methodology

The Policy Forum required active participation from all participants involved in dialogue and exchange of good practices and experiences in the plenary sessions.

Working with us
Reference
AO/DRS/ITK-TME/CS-SP-PB/008/18
Closing date
04/02/2019