In the summer of 2018, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) is introducing seven new apprenticeship programmes, covering a wide range of fields from construction engineering assistant (Bautechnische Assistenz) and glass process engineering to E-commerce merchant (E-Commerce-Kaufmann/-frau). The training contents of eight existing occupations will also be modernised. More...

In a move to strengthen the relationship between schools and the labour market, Dutch senior secondary VET schools can apply to join the Making room for the region initiative, which aims to develop qualifications in cooperation with region-based enterprises. Although qualifications are created at national level, this initiative allows VET schools to define learning outcomes in cooperation with regional partners, and to design education programmes responsive to regional developments. More...

In 2018, the Erasmus+ Fit2Com Skills Alliance project created, piloted and certified a new ’expert in comfort & healthy footwear manufacturing’ EQF level 5 qualification and corresponding training. It aims to address the demand for comfortable, healthy and fashionable footwear in the project partner countries of Germany, Spain, Portugal and Romania. More...

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. More...

Assessment and recognition of competences acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning is a significant factor helping people enter the labour market. In Lithuania, competence assessment is a distinct process separated from vocational education and training (VET) provision and performed by accredited competence assessment institutions. Currently 31 assessment centres are in place. More...

Vocational education and training (VET) in Spain, although small in terms of volume of students and graduates, has examples of excellence as in the case of the Basque Country. Transforming vocational training to respond to changes arising from the so-called fourth industrial revolution was discussed at the international congress Anticipating the future that gathered some 1 100 specialists from 47 countries in San Sebastian in May 2018. More...