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The Prison Education Taskforce is co-chaired by the Minister for Law Reform and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science. The Taskforce includes representatives from both government departments, the Irish Prison Service, SOLAS (the national agency for Further Education and Training), the National Apprenticeship Office, the Probation Service, the University of Maynooth and former prisoners.

The Taskforce is implementing innovative approaches in prison...

A review was conducted in partnership with the OECD. The review concentrated on four areas:

• balance in skills;
• lifelong learning;
• innovation;
• governance.

The report identified four priorities:

Priority 1: Securing a balance in skills through a responsive and diversified supply of skills.

Priority 2: Fostering greater participation in lifelong learning in and outside the workplace.

Priority 3: Leveraging skills to drive innovation and strengthen firm performance.

Priority 4: Strengthening skills...

The position paper of this policy is underpinned by a Universal Design (UD) approach and aligns with the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty.

The Framework to implement the policy outlines the enhancement of the overall learner experience within FET by:

1. develop & standardise supports and apply good practices;
2. integrate supports via Universal Design (UD);
3. technology to address support needs;
4. more consistent & reflective financial supports;
5. cross-FET Programme Independent Learner...

The strategy was developed by SOLAS, in partnership with consultants KPMG and in consultation with Ireland's sixteen (16) Education and Training Boards (ETBs), public bodies, government departments and key industry stakeholders. The strategy examines crucial sectors including construction, agriculture, transport, energy, hospitality, and finance, identifies critical skills gaps, and presents strategic and sector specific recommendations. The strategy also outlines ways in which FET can equip...

Developing the framework was a collective and collaborative process by the whole of the FET sector, focussing on the needs of learners, who were also a key stakeholder and consulted during the process of drafting the framework.

A writing group was set up that included many different stakeholders in the FET Sector. This group was an important space to discuss ideas and challenges and was imperative for shaping the final content.

There was a 12-month development process, comprising four...

The above report was carried out under the direction of the National VET Team. VET Team is a national panel of key experts from across the Further Education and Training sector that advises Léargas on VET practice, policy, recognition and accreditation of skills. The purpose of the VET Team is to promote and support the implementation of EU VET tools in projects funded by Erasmus+.

The report explored the concept of transversal skills to establish consensus in terms of definition and identify...

The 2023 Innovation and Collaboration Fund was EUR 1 million, with the maximum grant of EUR 50 000.

Organisations that work in the public, not-for-profit, community and voluntary sector were eligible to apply. A minimum of two organisations working together in partnership were required to make an application, with one organisation as the lead applicant, and the other organisation(s) as the partner(s).

The target groups for the ALL Innovation and Collaboration Fund included:

• older adults (55+),
...

The Strategic vision for the development of dual VET (DVET) in Bulgaria-2030 (hereinafter Strategic vision for the development of DVET) was drafted by an expert team, with the financial support of the Fund for the preparation of support measures under the Swiss-Bulgarian cooperation programme. It outlines the general framework for the development of dual VET until 2030, and corresponds to the main strategic documents for the development of education, training and learning in the country,...

Law 5128/2024 introduces key reforms to modernise education, vocational training, and qualification recognition in Greece. It focuses on expanding digital learning, strengthening career guidance, improving access to education, and enhancing vocational education and training (VET) and qualification recognition to align with evolving societal and labour market needs.

A key priority is the digital transformation of education. The law allows for the establishment of a digital educational portal...

The amendment to the Act on employment services established the Sector Councils Alliance (SCA) as the interest association of legal entities. Membership is stipulated by law containing labour and education ministry representatives, representative associations of employers and representative associations of trade unions. Admission of other members is possible based on the statute of the SCA agreed with the government.

According to law, the SCA 'establishes sectoral councils covering relevant...

Internationalisation of VET involves supporting international mobility for educational staff and learners, as well as transnational cooperation among VET providers, particularly through the Erasmus+ programme. Through mobility and transnational cooperation, learners will strengthen their language, digital, and other skills while gaining the opportunity to undertake work-based learning abroad, and teachers will enhance their teaching skills. This measure will also support transnational...

In response to the challenges affecting VET, the National Education System Development Plan for the period up to 2027 proposes a number of measures, building on key reform initiatives from the previous strategic period. The specific measures related to VET (Area 3 of the Plan) include:

3.1. Continuing the VET curricula reform and introducing new modular, outcome-oriented curricula to VET providers.

3.2. Supporting VET providers in implementing new curricula, programme profiling, and aligning...

The Policy for the Digital Transformation of Education describes the actions necessary in the face of the digital revolution and sets the framework for state policy in the area of​ ​the digitalisation of education in the following time perspectives: short-term (until 2027), medium-term (until 2030) and long-term (until 2035 ).

It comprises two complementary perspectives: developing digital competences of students and teachers, using digital technologies to strengthen...

Since 2023, the modular VET system has supported the development of a more open and flexible VET. This initiative allows students to dedicate three to six weekly lessons to one or more vocational modules, depending on their duration and credit value, while also gaining first-hand experience with VET school facilities and training programmes.

An individual learning plan is developed in cooperation between the student, their general education school, and a VET institution. Upon completing a VET...

The initiative foresees the development and use of special diagnostic tools, along with the training of specialists to integrate them into daily practice. It also includes the provision of educational institutions with necessary equipment and tools and the establishment of specialised multisensory resting rooms.

The initiative's primary focus is to provide direct support to students in need, by equipping them with tools to assess their abilities and facilitating their adaptation to the...

The target groups of the Database include all the adults with links to the labour market (including students aged 18+ who are preparing to enter the labour market). The Labour Office has expanded its activities beyond unemployed persons to include those who are in employment and want to acquire the competencies needed to retain their current jobs. Additional target groups include persons on parental leave, self-employed persons and senior citizens with links to the labour market (working...

The strategy was developed with the support of EU funding (Erasmus+ 101051428-SNFA-ERASMUS-EDU-2021-AL-AGENDA-IBA).

During the design phase, the labour ministry consulted employers, professional training providers, social partners, regional employment agencies, and NGOs.

The cooperation pillar focuses on updating legislation and strengthening the role of partnerships in adult training, alongside capacity building for training providers.

The personalised learning pillar promotes flexible...

The purpose of the Skills reform committee is to make structured proposals so that skills reform contributes to the development of skills for the green transition, increased innovation and competitiveness and good public welfare services. The reform will help to reduce recruitment challenges and prevent dropouts from working life as a result of a lack of skills. The work of the committee must embrace all groups in working life, and the committee must come up with proposals for measures that...

The pilot implementation takes place in the construction sector. It involves an analysis of existing ILA schemes in Europe and national feasibility study, simulations, an online portal (linked to the existing training provider authorisation platform), promotional campaigns, and a study on the use of ILA.

ESF+ and other funds are to support the implementation as of 2025. The implementation will initially last until 2027.

Main beneficiaries of ILA are the construction sector employees and...

The cooperation with the OECD, with its methodology for skills strategies, is an action decided in the context of the proposals of the European Skills Agenda in relation to national skills strategies. More precisely, the European skills agenda recommends joint action by the Commission and EU Member States to develop national skills strategies based on the relevant OECD methodology.

Activities related to the development of the skills strategy are also reflected in the national documents within...

To facilitate the introduction of individual learning accounts (ILAs) in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA), developed two pilot models for ILAs.

According to the first model employers may create individual accounts for their employees. These accounts record the qualifications and skills gained through training. It encourages' enterprises to invest in their employees by contributing to these accounts.

The second model envisaged sectoral funds or one state fund to...

The coherent plan for the education system consists of different reforms and initiatives across the entire education system thus targeting a wide array of groups. Although the plan is not an explicit national implementation plan (NIP) measure, many of its initiatives could be considered relevant touching upon various EU priorities. More precisely the intervention areas are the following:

1. Prepared for the future I - new flexible university paths.This reform aims to provide students with new...

The process of review started in 2019 with the agreement on the guiding principles and approach. An international expert panel was appointed, with an internal funding model review advisory group and data modelling working group established to support the panel's work.

The review panel had to review the existing approach to funding ETBs to deliver FET by SOLAS in terms of its effectiveness in delivering on national objectives, facilitating ETB flexibility and autonomy in responding to regional...

Creating a unified tertiary system is one of the strategic priorities of the National FET strategy 2020-24. Key stakeholders, DES, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), SOLAS (the national authority for FET), Higher Education Authority (HEA), Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) and the Irish Universities Association (IUA) agreed on an action plan to work towards a more strategic and consistent transitions approach to FET and...

The National FET Strategy defined that CotFs should have the following characteristics:

1. consolidation: CotFs are single integrated colleges;
2. dual outcome focus: the offer of courses designed to facilitate immediate entry to careers and employment and those that link directly to further study in HE, exploring opportunities for co-delivery with HE institutions;
3. access pathways: supporting a learning pathway from a network of FET providers offering Level 1 to 4 provision;
4. consistent learner...

Ireland's Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-25 was launched in 2021 by the Ministers for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Minister of State for Skills and Further Education. The plan aims to expand the types of programmes available and increase the number of apprenticeships to 10 000 per year by 2025. The plan is to ensure equity of access by creating simplified routes to entry, and improved flexibility within the system so that underrepresented groups...

The external review is conducted by review teams. National and international external reviewers are selected for their expertise in one or more specific areas, providing perspectives from education and training, quality assurance, learner voice, community and industry. SOLAS and the Adult Learning Association (AONTAS) provide support to the review teams.

The external review examines the following aspects:

Governance and management of quality

The review evaluates the comprehensive oversight...

Eight priority areas were identified in relation to the achievement of the objectives, five of which explicitly target VET, two target lifelong learning in parallel with VET ((f) and (h)) and one targets interlinking general education and VET (e):

1. centres of excellence in VET;
2. in-company training centres;
3. higher VET transformation;
4. quality assurance in IVET and CVET;
5. prevention of early school leaving;
6. basic skills;
7. individual learning accounts;
8. a new system of lifelong learning introduced...

The following measures are foreseen:

1. diversifying professional and training choices for vulnerable groups;
2. supporting SEN learners in schools and in providing employment supported by guidance and counselling;
3. supporting students with a native language other than Estonian, including those from a migrant background, in learning Estonian and providing additional Estonian language tuition;
4. reforming support systems for SEN students, including aligning information systems to support flexible...

According to the Government Strategic Analysis Centre (STRATA) study University, college or vocational training institution?, based on data retrieved from the 2013/14 school year to the 2018/19 school year, the number of students who chose to study in vocational education institutions together with second part of the basic education programme education has doubled. The number of students who chose to study only according to initial vocational education programmes (ISCED 2) has been...

The local projects promoting qualifications - an adult education and training offer tailored to the needs of the different territories - focus on the motivation of citizens with a low level of education and literacy, which are generally more difficult to engage in training or schooling activities. The target group is adults with very low qualifications (less than ninth grade, including no schooling).

These projects, promoted by the Qualifica centres are based on partnership networks with...

Modular training courses (Formação Modular Certificada) are addressed to adults aged 18 and over, employed or unemployed, who do not have the appropriate qualifications to enter or progress in the labour market, especially, those who have yet to complete basic or upper secondary education.

This is a modality that allows flexible training paths, through the realisation and certification of competence units and/or short duration training units (UFCD), that can be capitalised to obtain one, or...

Adult Education and Training courses (EFA) are a flexible training pathway of variable duration, according to the certification level. They enable the development of social, scientific and professional skills needed for the exercise of a professional activity and simultaneously obtain a basic school level certificate (fourth, sixth or ninth grades) or an upper secondary level certification (12th grade).

EFA courses are addressed to adults, employed or unemployed, with low and very low...

This measure is part of INCODE.2030. The Portugal digital academy is a national initiative that aims to bring digital competences to all Portuguese people including migrants), investing in inclusion and digital literacy, in the education of new generations, in the qualification of the active population, in advanced and specialised training of senior staff and in research. It is a free course aggregator platform where all citizens can improve their digital competences regardless of age. The...

Individuals eligible for unemployment benefits (regardless of their origin, as the right applies to people with foreign qualifications according to applicable provisions) generally have the right to take advantage of this measure.

The right is extended to both skilled and unskilled individuals. Whether someone is considered skilled or unskilled typically depends on their completion of upper secondary education, either general or vocational. However, the key factor in determining a person's...

In 2017, a committee of experts was set up by the Danish parliament to address the declining number of applications to IVET and to rethink pathways that would facilitate the transition from compulsory schooling to IVET.

By 2018, the committee's recommendations were accepted by a majority in parliament, leading to the creation of the Executive Order of the Act on Preparatory Basic Education (FGU). This law provides the framework for education programmes targeted at young people under 25 who...

The Tripartite agreement on better and more flexible continuing vocational education was approved in 2017 and implementation started in 2018. The agreement had initially a lifespan until 2021. The main aspects of the agreement are as follows.

1. The creation of a 'conversion fund': around EUR 53.6 million (DKK 400 million) has been set aside, as of 5 March 2018, for a 'conversion fund', which will enable unskilled and skilled workers to undertake further training on their own initiative. The...

According to the requirements of the Employment Promotion Act, the national employment plans are prepared every year by a working group with the participation of experts from the responsible institutions, the social partners and the non-governmental sector. They are agreed by the social partners, members of the National Council for Employment Promotion and the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation and are adopted by a Decision of the Council of Ministers.

Priority target groups of the...

The programme for 2017-19 was established by Resolution 108/2017 of the Council of Ministers of 19 July 2017. According to the programme evaluation, performed by the Educational Research Institute, positive results for both pupils and teachers were observed. Teaching aids and equipment purchased in the programme are fully used in the schools. However, primary and secondary schools still suffer from a shortage of modern ICT equipment. The evaluation results also recommended the extension of...

The National strategy for regional development 2030 (NSRD) was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 17 September 2019. One of the objectives of the strategy is the development of human and social capital in the following subareas: vocational and higher education, continuing education, labour market and social capital. The strategy outlines several initiatives in these areas:

1. establishing mechanisms to encourage universities to cooperate with entrepreneurs;
2. increasing entrepreneurs'...

LLCS 2030 focuses on four thematic areas: the qualification system; basic skills and civic education; lifelong learning, counselling, and motivation of citizens for lifelong learning; and building a system of skills management and identification of lifelong learning needs. It proposes 51 measures divided into 13 thematic units corresponding to topics in need of urgent intervention:

1. second chance education and 'F-type programmes' (ISCED 253) for low achievers in lower secondary general...

Investment in education, training and lifelong skills development brings benefits both to individuals and to society as a whole. Education is the engine for job creation, economic growth, improved social conditions and prosperity.

The strategy focuses on the modernisation of the adult education system by creating opportunities for the use of digital technologies, as well as by increasing the digital skills and competences of the workforce for full participation in digital education and the...

The Lifelong learning and counselling strategy for 2021-30, approved by the government on 24 November 2021, addresses early school leaving in the section 'Second chance education and F-type programmes'. It suggests four measures aimed at:

1. transformation of former F-type programmes into 'combined' programmes that allow learners to complete lower secondary general education and earn at least an EQF level 2 VET qualification, enabling progression in initial VET;
2. allowing exceptional extension...

The following five measures are set by the Lifelong learning and counselling strategy for 2021-30:

1. embedding the term 'basic skills' in the Lifelong Learning Act;
2. piloting tools for mapping, assessing and testing basic skill levels of low-skilled adults;
3. improving the digital skills of citizens in line with Reform 6 of Component 17 'Digital Slovakia' of the National recovery and resilience plan;
4. piloting a financing scheme for supporting non-formal learning for low-skilled adults in...

The VET agreement is to be a common ground of a tripartite understanding, between the government and the social partners, in the following areas of intervention:

1. regulation and governance of the vocational training system (framework and regulation, regulation model and financing sources and quality improvement);
2. further development of the system's instruments and responsiveness (improve the flexibility of the SNQ, strengthen responses to sectoral needs and dynamics and improve incentives for...

The project is based around a strategy for sharing classes between schools (a class, in some subjects, may have students from different schools), under a pedagogical experience regime, aimed at promoting the diversification of the educational and training offer in low-density areas.

The schools involved in the pilot should define tutoring mechanisms that, in permanent dialogue with the families, allow close and systematic monitoring of the learners, both in pedagogical and organisational...

The approach underlying the National anti-poverty strategy goes far beyond the definition of poverty as the deprivation of monetary resources, avoiding approaches focused solely on the analysis from a monetary point of view and seeking to make poverty reduction dependent only on economic growth. It is based on a broader vision of poverty, assuming poverty as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, which constitutes a violation of human and citizen rights and requires integrated action...

Since 2020, work has intensified on the preparation of a national strategy for the deinstitutionalisation of social services in Poland. On 12 January 2020, the Minister for Family and Social Policy appointed a team for the development of the strategy for the deinstitutionalisation of social services in Poland, which is an auxiliary body to the minister. The strategy is to be finalised and presented to the minister by 30 April 2021.

The tasks of the team include the development of the...

The total budget of the youth plan is EUR 6.7 billion, with measures to support young people aged 16-25 after the COVID-19 crisis. It mobilises a set of tools: hiring assistance, training, support, financial assistance for struggling young people, etc. to respond to different situations.

Under priority 1 - facilitating entry into working life;

1. compensation of EUR 4 000 of costs to the businesses for any young person recruited between 1 August 2020 and 31 March 2021;
2. exceptional support to recruit...

The programme to develop quality and equality in VET is mainly implemented through comprehensive development projects funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish National Agency for Education. The projects are mainly wide-ranging network projects with one coordinator. This secures the efficient direction of the projects and the transition of the results as part of national development and VET provider everyday routine.

The National recovery and resilience plan sets out a package of reforms and public investments to be implemented by 2026. For programmes at ISCED levels 0 to 5, the component Education for the 21st Century mainly focuses on reforming the curriculum, introducing new education methodologies, and updating textbooks. The main goal of the curriculum reform is to improve learner competences needed for the 21st century (critical thinking, digital and soft skills).

The plan also prioritises teacher...

Following its memorandum on e-inclusion, the Government approved the Plan for Digital Appropriation 2021-24 on the 12 February 2021. This plan was proposed by the Digital Inclusion Coordination and drawn up in consultation with stakeholders on the ground.

The implementation is organised in four areas defining 17 projects including 66 actions:

a. Raising awareness and destigmatising - raising citizens' awareness of digital tools and services, how to use them and on the support or training...

The project started in September 2017 and was completed in October 2020. It was coordinated in Portugal by the Vocational Training Centre for the Commerce and Services Sectors (CECOA), in cooperation with partners from Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK.

According to the intervention model report, the project promoted direct interaction among NEETs, employers and various local stakeholders (including local and regional authorities, SMEs, education and training providers, employment services,...

The Long-term plan for education and the development of the education system of the Czech Republic (the Long-term plan) covers the entire system of regional education (pre-school, basic, secondary, tertiary professional education). Decision-making and consulting powers are vested in self-governing bodies: regions (for public VET schools at upper secondary and tertiary professional levels) and municipalities (pre-school and basic schools).

The plan determines the framework of long-term plans...

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the physical presence of trainers in the classroom or training areas is no longer required, there is no obligation for the training programmes -provided to unemployed or employed individuals- to be carried out at a certified vocational training centre (VTC) or at the premises of the enterprise, while Internet connectivity and ability to use e-learning tools is a precondition for all participants (organiser, trainers, trainees).

For increased flexibility,...

The Catching-up regions initiative, in cooperation with regional authorities, aims to identify challenges and priority areas at regional level to direct investments to. Improving VET programmes in line with labour market needs can foster economic development in regions lagging behind.

The initiative was initially carried out in the Prešov region in 2018. In 2019, a report was published providing specific suggestions on how to improve secondary VET. The cooperation with the Banská Bystrica...

The targets presented in the roadmap and the measures needed to achieve it are based on the state of play in education and research as well as on key factors for changing the education and research environment. Finland's demographic trend is the most significant factor affecting the education system. The birth rate is dropping, age groups are smaller, and people live in growth centres in increasing numbers. The report (roadmap) outlines the guidelines for the future of the Finnish education...

The finance ministry was responsible for preparing the National integrated reform plan (NIRP). Over 100 experts, including analysts from respective ministries and experts from NGOs and businesses, contributed to the identification of milestones, measurable goals and required costs in eight priority areas. The following are the most relevant to VET:

1. education;
2. research, development and innovations;
3. digitalisation;
4. labour market and social sustainability.

The priority area education includes...

VET provision, curricula, examination

In December 2016, the ESF project 'Development of sectoral qualifications system for vocational education development and quality assurance' was launched to develop new occupational standards and modular VET programmes for most of professional qualifications (sectoral qualifications).

In 2017, amendments to the Vocational Education Law specified the legal framework for the modularisation of VET programmes. VET modules were included in the State vocational...

Regulations on scholarships have been amended to ensure the principle of equality and provide for a clear procedure for awarding scholarships, thus ensuring that all VET providers apply common basic criteria for eligibility and amount of scholarships. The regulations set the criteria, purpose and procedure for awarding scholarships and their amount.

A new Act on VET was adopted in June 2017 and entered into force in January 2018. The focus of the implementation of this latest reform is on the following elements:

1. a single Act on VET, i.e. VET for young people and adults within the same framework;
2. a single licence to provide education and to award qualifications;
3. flexible application and admission systems;
4. a clearer range of qualifications that better meets the needs of working life;
5. a single competence-based approach to completing...

As a part of the larger and continuous updating of VET qualifications, which is caused by the changes in working life, the Finnish National Agency for Education is preparing optional competence modules for sustainable development, financial literacy and economic understanding to be included in vocational upper secondary qualification requirements.

The reform of continuous learning, in line with the Government Programme for 2019-23, is prepared by a parliamentary group that includes members from all parliamentary parties. Labour market organisations, education providers and other key organisations and ministries are represented in the monitoring group.

Policy areas:

1. provision and financing of education;
2. identification of prior learning and students' income;
3. increasing opportunities for retraining, continuous professional development and...

The strategic goals included in the Quality strategy are to be put into practice by using development measures. The development measures proposed for each VET actor have been set out for the next 3 years (2020-22). The actors are VET providers, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish National Agency for Education, working life committees and the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre. The monitoring and the review of the quality management strategy will take place at the end of the...

Within the 30-month implementation period more than 47 000 students in 1 500 schools will be involved in career guidance activities through personality development support centres across the country. The individual and group activities will motivate students for continuing education and pursuing vocational and STEM careers and support their transition to the next level and to the labour market.

The FET strategy 2020-24 was developed in consultation with the FET sector and other key stakeholders. Consultation was wide-ranging and included bilateral meetings, regional workshops and a public call for submissions. Strategy development also involved developing an understanding of the policy context, the evolving environment and the nature of FET provision in Ireland, and then benchmarking this against other international approaches to further and vocational education and training.

A...

This report contributes to the development of the evidence-based FET, in policy and practice, by providing the voice of the stakeholders, learners from some of the most vulnerable groups in society, educators, and employers.

In summary, the main challenges for reducing barriers to FET are: the lack of information and clarity around individual courses; the role of SOLAS and FET in general; addressing the negative socio-cultural attitudes towards FET; improved awareness of, and barriers to,...

The purpose of the call is permanent inclusion of young people in the labour market through innovative projects that enhance their general and specific competences for greater employability as well as active citizenship. It encourages innovative forms of youth work in tackling youth unemployment. The target group are unemployed young people 15 to 29 years of age.

Projects implementing activities were supported in one of the following:

1. work with young people within organisations in the youth...

The development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the lifelong learning strategy 2021-27 is under the authority of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, and is internally coordinated by the European and International Affairs, Lifelong Learning and Adult Education Office.

The monitoring of policies and actions included in the lifelong learning strategy are mandated to the national and the technical lifelong learning committees. Representatives from various stakeholders,...

Youth makerspace Larnaka is a venue of innovation, built upon the example of similar successful venues that operate in various cities around the world, following the international standards of equivalent makerspaces. It offers young people access to high-end technological equipment that may support them to develop and put into practice their business ideas. The wide variety of advanced technological equipment is available to young people free of charge. The makerspace helps children and...

In the short term, three priority areas have been identified by the strategy, forming a basis for the 2019-22 action plan:

1. promoting digital transformation of schools, improving education environment, enhancing learners' digital competences and improving their employment prospects;
2. laying the foundations for a modern data-based and digital economy and the digital transformation of the economy as a whole;
3. improving the capacity of public administration to make use of data and innovation for...

At the suggestion of the social partners, the Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) commissioned a study in 2018 to evaluate existing support structures in apprenticeship training and develop a concept for comprehensive and consistent support for apprentices and training companies throughout the entire training period.

As part of the preliminary study - carried out by ibw and öibf between 2018 and 2019 - the training supervisors scenario was developed, which will subsequently be...

The education strategy applies an integrated approach to the development of the education system to make better use of Estonia's high-quality education for the benefit of people, society and the economy.

It continues to support the contemporary approaches to teaching and learning, considers rapid technological developments, strives to ensure the next generation of teachers and the renewal of teachers' roles, and it focuses more on the skills policy, including a clearer division of the roles...

The curriculum was published in 2019 within the Ministry of Science and Education (MZO) initiative. The competences proposed by the curriculum are based on the competence levels as defined by the Programme for the international assessment of adult competencies (PIAAC). The curriculum may be delivered as stand-alone training or to complement short training courses or other programmes in CVET. The modular structure of the curriculum allows for adaptation to learner needs. If VET learners lack...

The distance to general upper secondary education is shorter than the distance to a VET school in many areas in Denmark. A part of this initiative is ensuring the geographical accessibility of VET programmes, partially through general upper secondary institutions offering the first part of VET (GF1 - 20 weeks of introduction) in areas where they already operate.

Parliament earmarked EUR 3.3 million (DKK 25 million) for an application pool in the period 2020-23. This amount could be used for ...

The 2016 Labour Law (Law No 2016-1088 of 8 August 2016 on labour, modernisation of social dialogue and securing career paths) created new obligations in terms of information to be provided by training institutions and apprentice training centres. It is now mandatory for them to provide information on participation and completion rates as well as the destination and employment rates of their graduates. These data will be aggregated at education district level and will be broken down according...

The 2015 action plan highlighted the importance of key competences. It provides small-scale training in career management skills and is expanding entrepreneurship education as a key competence through training (simulation) companies, young entrepreneur fairs and by establishing training enterprises in arts and sports VET schools. The 2016 action plan, approved in April 2016, provides for the further development of career guidance and planning for pupils, students and adults. The project...

The VET system development programme 2016-20 provides the strategic framework for VET development and reform. The programme was adopted by the Croatian Government in September 2016 and a related action plan was adopted two months later by the ministry responsible for education. It is planned according to the following principles:

1. quality assurance, which will increase the transparency of VET, strengthen confidence in the system and lifelong learning;
2. partnerships, which will ensure and...

The Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ) implemented a pilot project, Integration into the labour market, targeting the beneficiaries of international protection. It facilitated the integration of refugees into the labour market and into Slovenian society through workshops in which participants gained job-searching skills and information on the Slovenian labour market and employment legislation. Interpreters were involved in the project and participants were linked with employers. The...

In July 2016, the Slovenian Qualifications Framework (SQF) Act came into force, serving as the legal basis for SQF implementation and full operationalisation. The SQF register describes qualifications in accordance with SQF and EQF levels and contains 1 684 qualifications (1 358 educational qualifications, 312 national vocational qualifications and 13 supplementary qualifications). The adoption of the SQF Act in 2016 opened up the system to supplementary qualifications awarded on the labour...

In 2015-17, NQF and EQF levels continued to be added gradually to qualifications and certificates. The NQF and the levelling of qualifications thus became a visible part of national education databases. The framework is operational and forms an integral part of the Danish education and training landscape. Two (interconnected) websites are available: the nqf. dk website, which targets the international public; and the ug. dk website, which provides the national public with comprehensive...

On 19 December 2018, the Ministry of Finance presented a new policy action targeted at giving young people more room in choosing their education pathway or in changing pathways. Aspects of the initiative include:

1. a new subsidy and taximeter system: the current grant and taximeter system in youth education does not in itself motivate schools to focus on quality and has become too opaque. The government will therefore initiate a review to implement changes and simplify the system;
2. better...

In education authority VET, the education community can find and create structured teaching material ready to be downloaded and used by teachers and learners in Procomún, the Repository of open educational resources (OER) of the ministry, operated by the National Institute for Education Technologies and Teacher Training (INTEF). Another initiative is the Educational Technology Observatory, which provides a virtual library with articles for teachers written by teachers about how to use...

eCollege provides online courses, including computer programming, data science, office productivity and web and graphic design. In 2015, eCollege awarded two major four-year contracts worth EUR 7.5 million to Cenit college and Enovation solutions. Cenit college is responsible for the management of e-tutoring and related support services, while Enovation solutions handles monitoring and reporting services. This eCollege partnership is to ensure that online education and training is...

The Law 92/2012 on the reform of the labour market defines for the first time in Italy the validation of non-formal and informal learning, as one of the key elements to ensure and implement lifelong learning in a comprehensive and systematic manner, establishing rules and regulatory requirements (standards) concerning the characteristics of the system and the stakeholders involved, ensuring transparency, usability and broad accessibility of validation/certification services (IVC).

In recent...

Don't BE disQUALIFIED (NedisKVALIFIKUJ SA!) is the motto of a 2016 call for projects launched by the education ministry, focusing on key competence development and enhancing/upgrading skills. Project topics include continuing VET. Applications exceeded by two times the available ESF co-funded budget of EUR 15 million. 144 projects have been in progress since 2018, but have been delayed due to administrative complications. In 2017, EUR 7 million were allocated to ESF projects focusing on the...

In 2017, the government updated and complemented the action plan of its strategy for integration of the Roma population. Financial inclusion was introduced as a priority. Financial literacy measures are supported by ESF-projects to prevent socially disadvantaged families from falling into excessive debts or becoming victims of usury. Putting stress on non-formal training is visible within social enterprises activities and training centres affiliated to social enterprises.

Five-year action plans were launched in 2016 to address unemployment in the most vulnerable districts. Training centres and regional education centres, i.e. secondary VET schools, in originally 12 and gradually 20 districts (out of 79), identified as underdeveloped, were partially funded by ESIF.

The training centres are meant to provide practice-oriented training for the disadvantaged unemployed or low-qualified. The regional education centres are expected to address the specific needs of...

The education ministry has started an international project (with a budget of EUR 350 000) aimed at elaborating a National skills strategy for the Slovak Republic, in cooperation with the OECD. A launch conference was held on 29 January 2019 and a final OECD report is expected by the end of March 2020.

On 27 June 2018, the government approved the National programme for the development of education (NPDE). The NPDE was adopted, with 106 measures to be fulfilled until 2027. Some measures related to regional schooling and higher education are relevant also to VET. Measures directly aiming to align VET to labour market are as follows:

1. increasing the quality of dual VET through the funding of professional and employer organisations involved; they will receive approximately EUR 1 million annually...

In September 2017, the education ministry published the Learning Slovakia strategy paper, following a public discussion on a draft version from March 2017. The VET-related chapter of this strategy paper for the first time in the official documents clearly defines and distinguishes between the diverse forms of work-based learning: dual VET, as set in the 2015 Act on VET; work-based learning within VET school-enterprise agreements but without individual learning contracts; short-term...

The 2015-20 lifelong learning strategy addressed the acquisition and validation of key competences that help early leavers from education to find jobs. The measures included revision of the validation methodology, quality assurance and training of staff in assessment centres of prior learning. The allocated financing allowed 45 000 adults to acquire key competences.

In order to facilitate access to upskilling for low-qualified adults, the labour ministry introduced EQF level 1 qualifications...

Since 2016, the Youth guarantee implementation plan has put emphasis on initiatives that combine employment with training of the workforce, which gives young people the opportunity to improve their skills obtained during initial education and to acquire new skills through participation in apprenticeships and traineeships. The new Youth guarantee implementation plan for 2017-20 continues all the measures of its predecessor.

The Youth guarantee implementation plan for 2017-20 focuses on...

In 2018, the regulatory framework for validation and recognition was revised with a view to introducing QA measures for validation and recognition. Specific criteria for certification of evaluator and external evaluator competences and additional requirements for assessment and certification, organised by the assessment centres, were introduced in legislation. By 2019, there were 37 fully functioning local assessment centres that could validate prior learning of candidates, mainly in...

The government supports the implementation of initial VET programmes by offering financial support in various forms.

1. High school scholarship is a national social protection programme that offers approximately RON 250 (EUR 50 since 2018/19) of monthly financial support for upper secondary education learners in grades 9 to 12, including those in VET (technological and vocational programmes). The scholarship is linked to family income and is not available for all learners enrolled in any of...

The strategy for education and vocational training in Romania for 2016-20 was adopted in 2016 (government Decision No 317 on 27 April 2016). It proposes the development of both an open-access and attractive and competitive system, offering quality education and training services in order to respond quickly and relevantly to the needs of people and the economy through efficient management of available resources. All individuals should benefit from the opportunity to acquire high-level...

Within the scope of this policy development, several initiatives have been set up by the National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP) and the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP).

Until 2017, ANQEP was organising regional debates and reflection groups, involving employers, schools and vocational training centres, to promote workplace training. Topics discussed involved the evaluation of practical training in the workplace and assessment of...

From 2016 to 2020, the Central Management of the Prison Service (supervised by the Ministry of Justice) has been conducting a training project to prepare inmates' return to work after release from prison. The budget of this ESF co-funded project was approximately EUR 31 million (PLN 131 million).

Vocational training courses in different occupations along with labour-market-relevant soft skills training were organised. They were addressed to inmates who voluntarily apply to take part (except...

The Count on language action plan 2016-19 (Tel Mee met Taal, EUR 18 million annual budget) introduced a joint action programme of several ministries to improve social and labour market participation, primarily of adults with insufficient literacy skills. In 2016/17, innovative projects supporting adults lacking literacy, numeracy and digital skills were started and research projects on literacy and the promotion of reading were launched. This initiative also supported parents in providing...

The VPL system has been evaluated and, since 2016, the results have led to developing a new system in which there are two different paths for validating prior learning:

1. the labour market route;
2. the education route.

VPL tools are, for example, intake-assessment, e-portfolios, competence tests and ECVET elements. If a formal VPL procedure is followed, it can result in the award of an experience certificate (ervaringscertificaat). Since January 2016, an examination support body (servicepunt...