Sharing common challenges but different experience, encouraging dialogue between policy makers and practitioners, and involving different stakeholders have been the leading principles of the three year project Learning at work. The final dissemination conference in December 2015 gathered representatives from all Nordic countries including the Faroe Islands and Åland. Building on this experience, cooperation and exchange will continue among stakeholders and countries.

Within the three-year project Learning at work in the Nordic countries, schools, school organisers/governing boards, industry, national stakeholders, authorities, social partners and regional committees met regularly to share know-how on quality in work-based learning (WBL) in the Nordic countries.

The aim of the project was to meet the challenges that the Nordic countries face to secure apprenticeships and places for WBL and to ensure the quality of WBL in these places. The project was part of the umbrella project Sustainable Nordic wealth, initiated by the Nordic Council of Ministers, where the aim was to find new solutions to challenges faced by inhabitants of the Nordic countries. These solutions should contribute to increased quality and equality in education, work and health.

By exchanging views and monitoring the progress of WBL in the countries involved, the project contributed to knowledge and development at both national and Nordic levels. Discussions were focused on thirteen main themes:

  • cooperation between schools and working life;
  • career guidance focusing on VET;
  • methods for involving and including work places;
  • ensuring quality in WBL in these places;
  • employed or learner at school;
  • describing the learning expected to take place on a working place;
  • appointing and supporting trainers/instructors;
  • supporting VET teachers and VET instructors
  • integrating WBL and school-based learning;
  • methods for assessment of WBL;
  • supporting learners in WBL;
  • supporting learners with special needs or with a short formal education and training;
  • methods for gender equality in WBL.

The outcomes will be summarised in a report to be published in spring 2016.

More information:

http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/fr/news-and-press/news/sweden-nordic-countries-focus-learning-work

http://www.norden.org/en/theme/tidligere-temaer/themes-2015/haallbar-nordisk-vaelfaerd/education-and-work-for-welfare/learning-at-work

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