Cedefop’s conference on work-based learning (12-13 June 2013) gathered more than 150 experts on vocational education and training from around the world, policy-makers from the European Commission and Member States as well as social partners’ representatives.

Participants called for the implementation of European Union (EU) policy initiatives on developing apprenticeship and other forms of work-based learning across Europe in order to address rising youth unemployment.

EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou opened the conference, while other high-level participants included German Parliamentary Secretary of State, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Thomas Rachel and Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris.

Watch the conference highlights here:

Cedefop conference on work-based learning - highlights

Click on the following links for video interviews with the main speakers:

Interview with EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou Interview with German Parliamentary Secretary of State, Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Thomas Rachel Interview, in Greek, with Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris
 
Interview with Antonio Silva Mendes, Director, European Commission, DG Education and Culture Interview with Cedefop Acting Director Christian Lettmayr

Check out the event’s picture gallery at http://events.cedefop.europa.eu/VET-conference-2013/en/gallery

The Cedefop Times, the conference newspaper, explores further the issues debated by the participants. An updated version with your feedback is available using the link below.