FOR decades vocational education has suffered from the twin curses of low status and limited innovation. Politicians have equated higher education with traditional universities of the sort that they themselves attended. Parents have steered children away from “shop class”. And vocational studies have been left to languish: the detritus of an industrial era rather than the handmaiden of a new economy. More...

Designing, implementing and supporting effective work-based learning in continuing vocational education and training
This workshop is addressed to European and national policy-makers, including social partners, and other key stakeholders working in the field of continuing vocational education and training (CVET) such as human resources managers, training providers and researchers.
Through presentations and interactive sessions, the workshop aims to share new knowledge and practical experience in work-based learning and to discuss their implications for policy and practice.
The focus is on:

By Anne Dening. The National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development called for the halving of the number of Australians aged 20 to 64 who do not have qualifications at a certificate III level and above, and doubling the number of higher level qualification completions by 2020. This goal is very ambitious and will require growth in the VET sector over this period of time if the target is to be met. It is further acknowledged that workforce participation rates must also rise as the large number of those nearing retirement leave the full time workforce; even if some of this group are persuaded that it is their interests to work until they are 70. The increase in participation can only be achieved if those currently unemployed and/or currently not qualified for work can be trained to achieve these skills levels and qualifications and contribute to the economy. More...

How shall Europe maximise the potential of vocational education and training (VET) to address its long-term strategic goals? This question will be the focus of a conference organised by Cedefop and the European Commission in September.
Building European VET – Time to move on will be based on the results of Cedefop’s VET monitoring report on progress toward the aims of the common EU strategy on VET, as set out in the Bruges Communiqué (2010). More...

Over 35 people working at the European Commission took part at a lunchtime presentation of Cedefop and its work, organised by the Directorate General Education and Culture (DG EAC) on 20 June, in Brussels.
Cedefop Director James Calleja focused on the agency’s role in helping the Commission devise and implement vocational education and training (VET) policies and analysed the parameters for 2015’s work programme.
Senior expert Eleonora Schmid informed participants about the findings of the 2014 VET policy monitoring report, which will be the theme of a special conference in Thessaloniki, in September.
During the discussion that followed, Commission colleagues from DG EAC and DG Employment enquired how Cedefop could further support Member States in view of the recently launched apprenticeship reviews in Malta and Lithuania. More...

By Andrea Thomas. Six-Year Decline Threatens Productivity, Exports. Forget the strong euro or competition from Asia. German industry's main concern today isn't selling its products but finding the people to make them.
The country's 200-year-old two-tier education system, credited for building one of the most productive workforces on the planet, is sputtering as young Germans increasingly shun vocational schools—the gateway to manufacturing careers—for universities. More...