Higher Education Learning Partnerships

HELP Context - Human Capital Human capital refers to the stock of productive skills and technical knowledge embodied in the working population. Its level is a strong determinant of productivity and economic growth. It also determines the extent to which people and communities are able to adapt to and benefit from economic change.

Economic Change in the EU The EU manufacturing sector will continue to shrink and the knowledge-based sector will grow. Participation in the economy will be dependent not just on the level but also the relevance of skills and qualifications. Access to skills training and education will need to be increased if the EU economy is to grow.

Table 1 Percentage of total population aged having completed at least upper secondary education – selected CEE countries EU EU Bulgaria Czech Rep Hungary Poland Romania Slovakia Source: adapted from Eurostat data

Table 2 Unemployment rates (%) amongst the population aged having received at least upper secondary education - selected CEE countries EU EU Bulgaria Czech Rep Hungary Poland Romania Slovakia Source: adapted from Eurostat data

Table 3 Index of labour productivity measured in GDP in purchasing power standards per person employed relative to EU27 (100) - selected CEE countries Source: adapted from Eurostat data EU EU Bulgaria Czech Rep Hungary Poland RomaniaN/A Slovakia USA

Table 4 Percentage of adult population aged participating in education and training - selected CEE countries EU EU BulgariaN/A Czech RepN/A Hungary PolandN/A Romania SlovakiaN/A Source: adapted from Eurostat data

CEE vs EU Secondary school enrolment levels and unemployment rates compare with EU averages Labour productivity and access to skills training and education for adults are lagging. Limited access to skills training undermines labour productivity and does not encourage innovation and dynamism within the economy. This situation will persist if learning and training are not promoted in economic development.

Lisbon Strategy This aims to create conditions under which the EU economy can become more competitive. Higher education is a key driver in developing the knowledge- based economy through the knowledge triangle: Education Research Innovation

Adapting to Change The responsibility for adult skills training must be shared between the education and enterprise sectors. The objective must be to increase the skills and flexibility of the workforce to adapt to technological change and new production methods. Education and enterprises are ill-prepared to address the complexity of change in the world of work and social life.

Higher Education in CEE The regional HE sector has a limited capacity to respond to economic and social change due to: Disconnected from world of work Over-regulation Fragmentation Uniformity Low funding

Adult Education Adult learning has been much neglected in CEE. The provision of and access to opportunities for adult learning and skills training need to be increased if national and regional economies are to grow and be sustained. Investment in adult education needs to form an important part of an integrated strategy for social and economic development.

HELP is Here The HELP Project aims to promote dialogue between the education and enterprise sectors on the regional skills training agenda. It will encourage partnership between regional HEIs and the private sector to understand better training needs. Within the framework of the HELP regional partnership specialist support from the UK will be provided to develop and deliver training programmes.

Learning Partnerships A learning partnership is a strategic body bringing together major stakeholders to identify learning and training needs Involving social partners in the development of training can result in qualifications and courses that better meet specific training and skill requirements. Learning partnerships can offer an important approach to improving employability and competitiveness at the local level.

What is a Partnership? Stakeholders are a group of people who share a common interest. Stakeholders bring with them different perspectives concerning an area of common interest. Partnerships are created by a group of stakeholders who work together and cooperate around a common interest.

Key Stakeholders Key stakeholders with a common interest in skills training for regional development include representatives from: higher education training institutions private sector local government policy-makers civil society NGOs local communities

Project Structure The project will operate for three years and each year has a different theme. Year 1 - Needs Analysis and Stakeholder Dialogue Year 2 - Learning and Training Programme Development Year 3 - Implementation and Evaluation of Learning and Training Programmes

HELP HU HELP RO HELP RS HELP HR Regional HELP Network Specialist Training Support UK Schematic Diagram of HELP Network

HELP Meetings Dialogue on the skills training agenda is encouraged through meetings with stakeholders at different levels: Local meetings - core HELP partnership – 3 per year Dialogue for planning and dissemination Stakeholder meetings – wider stakeholders – 1 per year Dialogue for consolation and dissemination Regional meetings - regional HELP partnership – 1-2 per year Dialogue for coordination and dissemination

rrr Regional Stakeholder Local

HELP Activities Year 1

HELP Activities Year 2

HELP Activities Year 3

Key Stakeholders TEK TSF SZIE HELP to Drive Institutional Change Private sector Local Government Communities NGOs Civil society

HELP to Promote Internal Change Participation in HELP meetings Linking HELP to the faculties Involving staff in training development and delivery Accreditation of courses Internal dissemination

HELP Partner Responsibilities HU – Project management, TNA, M&E and project publications RO – Project sustainability through private provision of training UK – Quality control and specialist training CD support HR – Partnership building and working RS – Website, TNA and dissemination