Cedefop cordially invites you to express an interest to participate to the forthcoming policy learning forum "Skills matching policies for the long-term unemployed: putting VET at the centre of activation" which will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 15-16 June 2017.

Below you will find the draft concept note/agenda.

The aim of this Policy Learning Forum (PLF) is to focus on the ‘practical’ elements of a successful skills matching policy for activation that achieves a durable integration of the long-term unemployed into sustainable jobs. It will seek to facilitate mutual learning between key stakeholders who are engaged in the design and delivery of VET and skills matching programs as part of activation policies, also focused on recently introduced job integration agreements.

We kindly invite you to inform us about any interesting policy initiatives focused on the skills matching of the long-term unemployed that may have been recently introduced in your own country/EU member states.

We also invite you to express an interest to participate in the policy learning forum if you are involved in any such initiatives.

The profile of participants for the event will be Ministry and/or (public/private) employment agency officials and VET providers/practitioners who are involved in the design and implementation of recent national/regional policy programmes focused on the skills matching of the LTU.

Please note that a careful screening process will take place with regards to the final list of case studies that will be showcased during the event, as well as the final list of participants. The travel and accommodation expenses of selected participants will be reimbursed by Cedefop in accordance with standard rules.

The PLF will build on Cedefop’s recent publication ‘Tackling unemployment while addressing skill mismatch: Lessons from policy and practice in EU countries’

Should you wish to express an interest to participate in this PLF, or inform us about ongoing initiatives of relevance in your country, please contact Mr. Konstantinos Pouliakas (Expert, CEDEFOP) at the email address here Konstantinos.Pouliakas@cedefop.europa.eu