Current VET policy context and EQAVET Annual Forum, EQAVET 29-30 April 2010 Part I João Delgado DG Education and Culture Unit B5 – Vocational education and training, Leonardo da Vinci Dear members, I woudl like to present you today the economical and political context in which the recommendation evolves the last updates in the field of European VET policy and also refocus on the content of the recommendation itself.

Joint Challenges Ageing population Role for initial and continuing VET in terms of update and upgrade of skills Low-carbon economy Technological changes I have looked for demographic trends using the scenarios prepared by Eurostat for the year 2060. By that time, the median age of the EU-27 population will rise from 40.4 years to 47.9 and the share of people aged 65 or more will increase from 17.1% to 30.0%. This means that whereas in 2008 there were 4 persons of working age (15-64 years old) for every person aged 65 years or over; in 2060 the ratio will be 2 to 1. Shift to low-carbon economy linked to accelerated technological changes will impact the content of the jobs in the future - the need to equip people with skills for "green" jobs will imply changes in every workplace, being a comparable phenomenon to the ICT boom in the past years. An ageing population will imply shrinking young cohorts entering initial E&T systems and labour markets. In view of the high youth unemployment in Europe, it is extremely important for initial vocational education and training (IVET) to equip the learners with skills relevant to evolving labour markets and key competences. The traditional life sequence of "training-work-retirement" will be replaced by mid-life changes of careers and occupations. This will imply that also adults will increasingly be called to update their skills and competences through continuing vocational education and training (CVET). The recent Experts Report on New Skills for New Jobs contains a series of recommendations to address such challenges, a large number of which call on reforms of the VET systems.

A need for higher levels of skills Past and future structure of jobs by education attainment level 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 1996 2001 2006 2015 2020 High Medium Low + 15,6 million high qualified level + 3,7 million qualified at medium level ! Up-skilling ! According to the forecasting of future skills needs up to 2020 carried out by Cedefop in February 2010, there will be 15,6 millions new jobs in the EU for graduates from the tertiary level and 3,7 million new jobs for secondary level graduates. In contrast, those with no or low formal diplomas will have to compete for fewer jobs; almost 12 million fewer. The forecasts of future skills needs show a greater demand for medium and high level qualifications up to 2020 combined with a need to replace a significant number of people leaving for retirement and to react to evolving skills requirements. In conclusion, the demand for medium-level VET qualifications will increase. - 12 million qualified at low level Source: Cedefop, data for EU 27 + Switzerland and Norway

The Copenhaguen process Bruges Communiqué (2010) Bordeaux communiqué (2008) It is in the economical context described before that the Copenhaguen process will be reviewed this year. For the moment , the Bordeaux communiqué is the current guide for VET policy orientations The Bordeaux communiqué highlighted in November 2008 4 priorities: Implementing the tools and schemes recently adopted in the field of VET, be it at national or European level (EQF, Europass, ECVET, EQAVET) Heightening the quality and attractivness of VET systems Improving the links between VET and the labour market Strengthening European cooperation arrangements The Bordeaux communiqué highlights 3 major areas where work is necessary in order to promote the excellence of quality of VET, namely through developing quality assurance mechanisms by promoting the Recommendation on the establishment of a European quality assurance reference framework, participating in the European network for quality assurance and supporting the implementation of EQF by promotin,g mutual trust Copenhaguen Communiqué (2000)

VET communication Education & Training 2020 Europe 2020 New skills for new jobs Bruges Communiqué (2010) Bordeaux communiqué (2008) It is in the economical context described before that the Copenhaguen process will be reviewed this year. Bruges review The EU Ministers in charge of VET, European Social Partners and the European Commission will review the priorities under the Copenhagen process in December 2010 The Bruges review builds on the following main references Of course on the Bordeaux communiqué but also on Europe 2020 EU is setting the strategy for the next decade - The Europe 2020 Strategy puts a strong emphasis on education and training to promote “smart, sustainable and inclusive growth”. The Bruges review will strongly support the Europe 2020 Strategy, particularly map out the potential of VET to its two Flagship Initiatives "An Agenda for new skills and jobs" and "Youth on the Move", including its Youth employment framework.as one can see the quality of human capital is seen as crucial for Europe's success and will be one of the main priority for the policy efforts in the EU in the next decade. Then: E&T 2020 The 4 priorities of E& T 2020 are the base for the Bruges review and also for the VET communication I will come back on it later in this presentation New skills for new jobs The communication new skills for news jobs also put the emphasis on the need to better anticipate and match labour market and skills needs. In this context, it is important to reflect on the role of vocational education and training (VET) as a major source of skills and knowledge in Europe. Communication on VET The Communication will be the contribution of the Commission to the Bruges Review. The aim of the upcoming Communication is therefore to propose a vision for the future of VET and so contribute to the Bruges Review process. Copenhaguen Communiqué (2000)

A new impetus for VET for 2020 VET should be: Attractive Accessible Flexible Inclusive Supporting mobility The communication “A new impetus for VET 2020” We need a new vision for VET and with elements clearly linked to the 4 priorities of the Strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training - ET 2020: 1. Key role of VET in lifelong learning and mobility, 2. Increasing attractivness of VET quality and efficiency 3. equity and active citizenship -inclusive VET for inclusive societies 4. innovation and creativity including entrepreneurship We believe that vocational education and training in Europe by 2020 should contribute to both excellence and equity in EU lifelong learning systems and thereby to the Europe 2020 objectives of smart and inclusive growth, with: IVET as an attractive learning option with high relevance to labour market needs and pathways to higher education, easily accessible CVET for people in different life situations facilitating skills development and career changes, flexible systems based on the recognition of learning outcomes and supporting individual learning pathways, adequate support for those at a disadvantage, and cross-border mobility as an integral part of VET practices.

Recommendation on the establishment of a European quality assurance reference framework for VET – 18 June 2009 Legislative part Recommendation to Member States Intentions of the Commission Technical annexes Description of quality cycle List of quality criteria and indicative descriptors Quality indicators for VET

Regional and local authorities The main stakeholders European Parliament Council European Commission EQAVET Network Member States Social partners Nat.ref.points VET providers Regional and local authorities

Outcomes expected from the Member States Design an approach to best use EQAVET and improve QA systems by June 2011 Use and develop EQAVET Designate a Quality Assurance National Reference Point Participate actively in EQAVET network Undertake a review and report on the implementation process every four years définir chacun, dans un délai de deux ans à compter de la date d'adoption de la présente recommandation, une stratégie visant à améliorer les systèmes d'assurance de la qualité au niveau national, le cas échéant, et à exploiter au mieux le cadre européen de référence pour l'assurance de la qualit d'utiliser et de développer le cadre européen de référence pour l'assurance de la qualité, de mettre en place, où cela n'existe pas encore, un point de référence national pour l'assurance de la qualité dans l'EFP participer activement à un réseau européen pour l'assurance de la qualité dans l'EFP tous les quatre ans à un réexamen, accompagné d'un rapport, du processus de mise en œuvre

Outcomes expected from national reference points (QANRPs) Ensure that information is disseminated to stakeholders effectively Inform stakeholders about the European Network activities Brings together relevant bodies and involve social partners and all stakeholders concerned at national and regional levels Take concrete initiatives to promote further development of EQAVET in the nat. context Support actively implementation of European Network’s work programme Support self evaluation as a complementary and effective means of QA in respect of the implementation of the European Network’s work programme Maximising stakeholder involvement Dissemination of information Resources and technical & scientific support (to ensure the development of tools) Building national and European HE/VET cooperation contact points Supporting the EQF process (in terms of tools and guidelines) Co-operate Network Share experience Maximise effort and output Learn from each other Make different and diverse contributions

EQAVET governance Member States EQAVET Network Secretariat ACVT DGVT LLP Member States EQAVET Network European Commission Steering committee BodyCompositionRoles and tasks 1) The EQAVET network Composition: two Member States' representatives, notably the QANRP and a second member officially appointed by the relevant ministries for VET quality assurance in the member States the social partners at European level, the European Commission, ETF and Cedefop. Role: Contributes to the quality and overall coherence of the cooperation process for the implementation of EQAVET. Reports to ACVT and DGVT. Decides in cooperation with the EU Commission to the validation of the work programme of the secretariat The QANRPs Their responsibilities and/or legal competence should be clearly determined and published by the competent public authorities.They should be linked to the particular structures and requirements of each Member State and , in accordance with national practice, bring together existing relevant bodies and involve social partners and all stakeholders concerned at national and regional levels 2) The steering group Composition: The European Commission, four representatives of the member States elected for two years renewable, one representative of each of the past, current and future Presidencies, the social partners. Role Insures continuity and linkage on behalf of the EQAVET Network and gives advice to the work of the secretariat. 3) The Secretariat Composition: Contractor appointed by the Commission Role: Supports and organises the activities of the network, develops service offers to the network (information, expertise etc.), assists the Commission in the process of technical and administrative management of the network 4) The Commission Takes initiatives and supports the implementation of EQAVET in Member States. Chairs the EQAVET Network and the steering group. Reports to the European Parliament and to the Council. Secretariat

Thank you for your attention!