Promoting Innovation and Learning in Networks in VET Eila Heikkilä, M.A., M.B.A Cand. Doctor in Education (International) Danish Presidency Conference: VET-Business Co-operation Promoting New Skills, Innovation and Growth for the Future Copenhagen, April

BACKGROUND Research on ’Innovation in European Vocational Education and Training: Network Learning in England, Finland and Germany’ in 2010 – 2011 Innovation in VET emerging from inter-organisational networks in the three highly innovative countries Interviews of VET professionals (directors, teachers, international coordinators etc.) Comparative study of the perceptions on innovation and network learning at the level of practice across the three European countries 2

RATIONALE Triple Helix or Knowlege Triangle of Higher Education, but innovation in VET not widely researched Innovation in globalising learning economies (e.g. Lundvall and Archibugi, 2001)  ’Outer-driven innovation’ emerging from inter- organisational networks 3

RATIONALE New approach of employee-driven innovation (e.g. Kristensen, 2010, Harmaakorpi, 2008)  Innovation research in VET with ’practitioner-driven approach’ 4

RESEARCH QUESTIONS RQ 1: In what ways is participation in inter- organisational networks perceived by VET professionals to bring innovation to VET in the three European countries? Sub-questions: What is the value of innovations and to whom? What are the processes involved? What are the drivers of participation? What are the tensions? RQ 2: What are the convergent and divergent perceptions of VET professionals on innovation emerging in inter-organisational networks in the three European countries? 5

FINDINGS (1) Inter-organisational networks in VET (local, regional, national, European or international) with a variety of organisations (companies, universities, other VET organisations etc.) for learning, competence-building and innovation perceived in all the three European countries Participation of VET professionals in inter-organisational networks perceived to bring innovation into VET in the three countries with, e.g. improved efficiency of training provision, specialisation, new training models and professional development 6

FINDINGS (2) A number of target groups perceived to benefit from innovation in different ways, e.g. VET organisations and staff, VET students, companies, employees, economic sectors and the society Innovation processes perceived to involve learning described with dimensions of variation, such as sharing, mutual learning, peer-learning, inter-change of ideas, flow of information, benchmarking, borrowing, skills development etc. (informal learning) Innovation processes perceived to require long-term collaboration in trusting partner relations for change and innovation 7

FINDINGS (3) A number of drivers for innovation in inter- organisational networks perceived, e.g. a need for change and continuous development, new products and processes to address the needs of students, companies and other stakeholders Tensions perceived related to organisational changes and organising work in the networks, e.g. voluntary participation in international networks, difficulties in finding suitable partners, competition between organisations etc. 8

FINDINGS (4) Innovation in VET emerging from inter-organisational networks perceived largely in a convergent way with similar findings across the three countries Also divergent findings, which are explained due to different VET models and VET professionals’ own roles and involvement in inter-organisational networks 9

RECOMMENDATIONS RESEARCH: The approaches of practitioner-driven innovation and outer-driven innovation in inter-organisational networks provide new insights into innovation in VET POLICY: Support for long-term networking of VET organisations at the level of practice; Continuing professional development for VET staff to participate in inter-organisational learning and innovation VET ORGANISATIONS: Encouragement of participation of staff in network learning for innovation; Recognising informal learning acquired in inter-organisational networks to increase motivation of staff VET PROFESSIONALS: Active participation in inter-organisational networks for learning, professional development and social innovation 10

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