Launching the new lifelong guidance framework

As Europe navigates major technological, socio-ecological, and demographic shifts, the Cedefop Forum “Launching the new lifelong guidance framework” (12–13 May, Thessaloniki) brings together stakeholders working in the career fields in policy, research and practice to explore a new framework for lifelong guidance.

The programme features well-placed and knowledgeable speakers and stakeholders engaged with lifelong guidance policy, research and policy analysis, training, programme management, implementation and practice. Opportunities for strengthening collaboration and partnership are explored to help develop policies, systems, and services across Europe.

There are increasing demands on lifelong guidance as a policy instrument for supporting learning, employment and social inclusion, and preventing exclusion.

Participants will examine how the framework will help structure collaboration and serve as a practical tool for policy and systems development and helping stakeholders jointly clarify expectations for service users and learners. Engaging panels, roundtables and plenary presentations will explore lifelong guidance in the context of changes in society and the labour market, internationally and within Europe that continue to reshape what guidance systems are expected to deliver.

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#Lifelongguidance #Careerdevelopment

Speakers

Jürgen Siebel

Executive Director, Cedefop

Jürgen Siebel joined Cedefop from the private sector in September 2019. As Executive Director, he is responsible for managing the Agency’s operations in accordance with the strategic direction of its tripartite Management Board.

With his management team and all staff, Jürgen has led Cedefop to strengthen its position as a go-to ally for the EU institutions, social partners, researchers and practitioners when it comes to analysing the impacts of megatrends on the labour market, on skills, and on training ecosystems – and on how vocational education and training enables a fair digital and green transition.

Jürgen has a background in human-resources management with particular emphasis on learning and education, earned his MSc in economics at the University of Hamburg, and his PhD in business administration from the University of Vienna.

Mara Brugia

Deputy Director of Cedefop, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training

Mara Brugia is the Deputy Director of Cedefop, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training. She has been involved in vocational education and training (VET) since 1994. As Head of Department from 2004 to 2014, she managed teams of European experts working in research and policy analysis to support the development and implementation of the Union policy in the field of VET, skills and qualifications.

She holds a university degree in Economics and a Master in Economics, politics and law of the European Union. Her mother tongue is Italian (born in Perugia) and she is fluent in English, French, Greek and Spanish.

Cynthia Harrison

Policy officer at the Department of VET and Skills

Cynthia Harrison is a Policy officer at the Department for VET and Skills, area of learning and employability.

She is responsible for Cedefop’s strand of work on lifelong guidance and coordinates CareersNet. Her evolving focus is collaboration on common policy frameworks, systems and guidelines in E&T, most recently, in the field of guidance, also internationally as part of the TVET-IAG WGCG. Her team colleagues specialize in validation of informal and non-formal learning, financing, and statistics in adult learning/VET, where all engage in cooperation with stakeholders and field experts in developing tools, resources and building evidence for policy supporting participation in education and training.

Her academic background includes degrees in international and comparative education policy and sociology. She has engaged in mixed method research on civic competences and career aspirations, including joint work on a composite indicator. She has worked in the adult learning and youth sectors - and as a public relations account executive.

Ernesto Villalba-Garcia

Expert - VET supporting policies - validation

Ernesto Villalba-Garcia has worked at Cedefop since 2011. He is currently responsible for Cedefop’s work on validation of non-formal and informal learning. He has worked, together with the Commission, on the monitoring, implementation and evaluation of the 2012 Council Recommendation on validation, as well as on several updates of the European inventory of validation and the European guidelines. Ernesto has served in different committees and working groups of the European Commission, the OECD, and UNESCO. He holds a PhD in International and comparative education from Stockholm University and is on the editorial board of the European Journal of Education.