On 10 February 2010 Cedefop became 35 years old. At 35 you are no longer young and certainly not old, but, perhaps, prompted to take a quick look back.
Some things seem the same. Back in 1975, when Cedefop was created, Europe faced economic problems. Unemployment was rising and prospects were bleak. It is also striking how the issues that Cedefop studied in its early days remain so familiar today – youth unemployment, mobility, the impact of new technologies, gender equality and social inclusion.
So, a quick look at Europe today gives the impression that nothing much has changed during Cedefop’s time. But a closer look shows that things are different.
Europe is more united than ever before. There are now 27 Member States compared to nine in 1975. We have the Single Market and the Euro.
In vocational training too, Europe has made considerable progress.
In its time, Cedefop has learned a lot. When Cedefop began, the scientific approach of analysing comparative information at European level on vocational training was in its infancy. Now with stronger European cooperation and improved methodologies this approach is standard, as illustrated by the VET policy reports that we produce every two years. Cedefop has played a significant role in making this happen.
The scope of Cedefop’s work has also widened. Changes in the world since 1975 have made lifelong learning a necessity, leading Cedefop to explore links between training and higher education, to examine the value of informal and non-formal learning and to investigate training’s contribution to the economy, society and the individual.
Cedefop’s role in encouraging international cooperation in vocational training is even more important today as we work on European tools and instruments to support mobility for training and learning throughout Europe. In 1975, the possibility of people spending part of their training in another Member State was open only to a very few. Since then, many thousands, particularly young people, have enjoyed and benefited from that experience. However, the aim of our work is to make mobility for learning the rule, rather than the exception.
Moving has also been part of Cedefop’s life. After 20 years in West Berlin Cedefop was moved to Thessaloniki in 1995. Although it was not an easy transition, since then Cedefop has grown and matured, like most 35 year olds.
Looking back, Cedefop can take quiet satisfaction and celebrate what has been achieved by all its colleagues past and present. And, using our experience, we can look forward to the future.
So, a quick look at Europe today gives the impression that nothing much has changed during Cedefop’s time. But a closer look shows that things are different.
Europe is more united than ever before. There are now 27 Member States compared to nine in 1975. We have the Single Market and the Euro.
In vocational training too, Europe has made considerable progress.
In its time, Cedefop has learned a lot. When Cedefop began, the scientific approach of analysing comparative information at European level on vocational training was in its infancy. Now with stronger European cooperation and improved methodologies this approach is standard, as illustrated by the VET policy reports that we produce every two years. Cedefop has played a significant role in making this happen.
The scope of Cedefop’s work has also widened. Changes in the world since 1975 have made lifelong learning a necessity, leading Cedefop to explore links between training and higher education, to examine the value of informal and non-formal learning and to investigate training’s contribution to the economy, society and the individual.
Cedefop’s role in encouraging international cooperation in vocational training is even more important today as we work on European tools and instruments to support mobility for training and learning throughout Europe. In 1975, the possibility of people spending part of their training in another Member State was open only to a very few. Since then, many thousands, particularly young people, have enjoyed and benefited from that experience. However, the aim of our work is to make mobility for learning the rule, rather than the exception.
Moving has also been part of Cedefop’s life. After 20 years in West Berlin Cedefop was moved to Thessaloniki in 1995. Although it was not an easy transition, since then Cedefop has grown and matured, like most 35 year olds.
Looking back, Cedefop can take quiet satisfaction and celebrate what has been achieved by all its colleagues past and present. And, using our experience, we can look forward to the future.
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Cedefop