A delegation from the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), headed by Director Yanguo Liu, visited Cedefop on 4 September and exchanged ideas for collaboration in areas of mutual interest with Acting Director Mara Brugia, senior management and experts in the fields of skills development and adult learning.

Welcoming the delegation, Ms Brugia said that 'we share several of the challenges posed by technological and other changes; the future of work and future of vocational education and training (VET) are among our priorities.' She noted that ‘our experience of working with ITCILO in the past has been positive’ and welcomed the proposal to reinforce collaboration in areas that would be beneficial for both organisations.

Mr Liu thanked Cedefop for organising the visit, adding: ‘We have a common language with Cedefop and there is internal consensus at ITCILO that a partnership will strengthen our ability to provide a better service to our partners.’

ITCILO Director of Training Andreas Klemmer identified fields that could be chosen for collaboration and Chief of Partnerships and Programme Development Jeannette Shalabi outlined the different phases that the centre has gone through since its establishment as an advanced vocational training institute in 1964.

On the Cedefop side, Acting Head of Department for Skills and Labour Market Alena Zuckersteinova presented the areas that her department is active in, while experts Konstantinos Pouliakas and Stelina Chatzichristou briefed the visitors on skills development work and the Skills Panorama website.

Head of Department for Learning and Employability Antonio Ranieri focused on adult learning, career guidance and the preconditions to integrate migrants and refugees to the labour market. Experts Lidia Salvatore and Patrycja Lipinska presented Cedefop work on low-skilled adults and financing of adult learning respectively.