Conference and workshop, Vienna, 3-5 December 2012 ETF regional project ”Mapping VET Education Policies and Practices for Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion: the role of VET in promoting employment, equity, social cohesion and active citizenship in Western Balkans, Turkey (WBT) and Israel” VET Education Policies and Practices for Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion in Macedonia Conference and workshop, Vienna, 3-5 December 2012

1. Macedonia: Key policy issues in the current policy debates Mapping VET Education Policies and Practices for Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion: the role of VET in promoting employment, equity, social cohesion and active citizenship in Western Balkans, Turkey (WBT) and Israel 1. Macedonia: Key policy issues in the current policy debates • Better matching of supplied and demanded skills • Enrolments: increasing the attractiveness, professional orientation • Legislation, quality assurance, monitoring, coordination • Integrated education, multi-culturalism, inclusion of vulnerable groups (poverty reduction) Better matching: reform the curricula, flexible curricula, practical vs. theoretical learning

2. Macedonia: Key points arising from national level interviews Mapping VET Education Policies and Practices for Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion: the role of VET in promoting employment, equity, social cohesion and active citizenship in Western Balkans, Turkey (WBT) and Israel 2. Macedonia: Key points arising from national level interviews • Integration and multi-culturalism (affirmative measures) • A need or greater coordination and comprehensive policy (strategy for Poverty Reduction, Strategy for Social Inclusion) • School management, pro-active roles of school, decentralisation • Funding needs of VET schools Comprehensive policy, avoid inefficiencies

3. Macedonia: Points discussed with national advisory boards Mapping VET Education Policies and Practices for Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion: the role of VET in promoting employment, equity, social cohesion and active citizenship in Western Balkans, Turkey (WBT) and Israel 3. Macedonia: Points discussed with national advisory boards The initial findings from the national and local-level research The goal and commitment for Integrated education (efforts to avoid possible practices leading to social exclusion) Recent and ongoing reforms in the VET system (vocational profiles, textbooks, etc) Budget support, donor support and projects for specific equipment Coordination of government bodies Cooperation with the business community

4. Macedonia: Problems facing the project and actions to resolve them Mapping VET Education Policies and Practices for Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion: the role of VET in promoting employment, equity, social cohesion and active citizenship in Western Balkans, Turkey (WBT) and Israel 4. Macedonia: Problems facing the project and actions to resolve them • No problems encountered • All parties are cooperative