In the finishing straight From Copenhagen to Bordeaux Cedefop’s analysis of progress: main findings Aviana Bulgarelli, Director

2 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Continuation Maastricht – Helsinki – Bordeaux  In line with the Lisbon Strategy Renewed Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs; New social agenda Education and training work programme 2010, future framework  Open method of coordination within VET important results for lifelong learning Common European tools and principles  Copenhagen process - a success Alignment: national and European priorities

3 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Education and skills – key driver for European growth, competitiveness, jobs and inclusion  Socio-economic context and challenges for VET  Point of departure: need to know which occupations and skills will be required develop knowledge, skills and competences needed through education and training Alignment: to meet common challenges

4 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Skill needs: continued shift towards services EU-25+ Source: Cedefop, 2008

5 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Skill needs: rising demand for all occupations risks polarising new jobs EU-25+ By million working age population; would require ≈ 74% employment rate Source: Cedefop, 2008

6 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Formal qualification needs rising across all jobs Source: Cedefop, mio new jobs total net increase 49% 33% 46% 21% 26%19% 50% 25% 31% EU mio jobs mio jobs mio jobs Currently 78 million low-skilled

7 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Most job openings at medium-level 55 million job openings, mainly for vocational qualifications Source: Cedefop, 2008

8 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Source: Eurostat Attractiveness of VET: trends in participation More than 50% upper secondary graduates come from VET in half of the EU but wide variations from 80% to >15%

9 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux The learning outcome paradigm Developing/implementing national qualifications frameworks consistent with European qualifications framework (EQF) More systemic VET reforms Improving quality and attractiveness of VET − managing results Different policy mixes including European tools, principles and guidelines, mainly  Guidance and counseling (New Council resolution: Better integrating lifelong guidance into lifelong learning strategies)  Validation of non-formal and informal learning Development: how far have we come since Helsinki?

10 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux From mobility to wide-ranging reforms

11 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Relating qualifications levels to the EQF in ways which are understood and trusted by others − key to success of the EQF Underpinning EQF/NQF developments by quality assurance at all levels and stages Seeking to overcome barriers between education and training sectors and to improve access to and progress in learning Applying the learning outcomes approach in a transparent and coherent way Implementing the EQF − key challenges

12 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux More attention to equity and access for all Targeted support for vulnerable groups – preventive and remedial Early school leavers, students with special needs, disabled, learners from disadvantaged background, migrants and ethnic minorities, older workers  From tailor-made training to inclusive education  Extending compulsory education or training – right/duty  Re/introducing apprenticeship or alternance training  Basic skills for adults  Combined policy measures: in particular guidance and counselling  European tools are part of these policies Development: how far have we come since Helsinki?

13 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux But LLL participation still low and inequitable Source: Eurostat

14 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Development: how far have we come since Helsinki? Lifelong learning through VET More and more flexible pathways: tension − equity v. excellence Linking initial and continuing VET and higher education: structures more open Expansion of post secondary and tertiary VET Modularisation and double qualifications – generic skills Broadening access to and strengthening the quality of guidance NQF perceived as opportunity to improve flexibility Facilitating validation of prior learning Increasing quality in VET and advancing quality assurance mechanisms

15 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Development: how far have we come since Helsinki? VET teachers and trainers key to quality, change and mobility Towards a strategic vision on their roles and professional development needs  Common concerns: Making teachers fit for new roles and more diverse learner needs Keeping competences up to date with technological change, working practices and cultural diversity Language skills for mobility (their own and those of learners) Raising attractiveness of the profession  Despite progress in some countries, trainers still “neglected”

16 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Development: how far have we come since Helsinki? VET and the labour market − closer links Labour market actors (sectors, social partners) more involved in VET decision- making, governance and provision  Designing VET policies, programmes, qualifications and standards, assessing skills and competences, validation of qualifications, quality assurance  Anticipating labour market needs  Financing VET, managing funds and providing CVT More emphasis on apprenticeship, workplace learning for students and teachers  Concerns Lack of training places, employer participation in programme design and delivery (apprenticeship and alternance), levels of investment in CVT Foreign language skills to increase competitiveness and mobility

17 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux 31% of enterprises provide initial training, 60% provide continuing training Source: Eurostat, CVTS3 Percentage of enterprises providing IVT and any type of CVT (2005) Percentage of enterprises providing IVT by size of enterprise, EU 2005 % Number of employees

18 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux  33% of employees take part in CVT organised by enterprises Participation in CVT courses (1999, 2005) Continuing training: some countries catching up, but high performers doing less well

19 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Development: how far have we come since Helsinki? Governance and funding for better quality and efficiency Widening cooperation and partnerships, creating synergy, more local decision making and VET provider autonomy National policies to share responsibility between state, employers and individuals  sectoral training funds;  tax incentives, vouchers, learning accounts, saving accounts, often combined Growing accountability − funding increasingly linked to achieving specific targets Balancing national steering and control with local autonomy − recentralisation Coordinating different policies and practices Challenges

20 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Application: VET 2010 and beyond Continuity and consolidation – more time to implement policies and common tools through reinforced policy learning More cooperation across educational levels – blurring boundaries; linking Copenhagen and Bologna (EQF/NQF, ECTS, ECVET) Quality assurance − balance between trust and control; a tool but not an end in itself Competence measurement/assessment VET policy making based more on evidence, more and better data, closer research cooperation

21 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux Application: VET 2010 and beyond From hierarchical education and training systems to flatter structures: how will new lifelong learning systems unfold? Clarify the role of VET in society: can it attract and cater for high achievers and be “all-inclusive”? Focus on teachers and trainers: can they be jacks-of-all-trades? Review the content and methodology of VET  Keep pan-European focus and soft open method of coordination for VET to stimulate development in countries

22 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux DEVELOPMENT ALIGNMENT APPLICATION Copenhagen process outcomes 2008  Alignment of national and European priorities has proved successful and remains fundamentally important  Development of policies, European tools, principles and guidelines represent substantial progress  Application of policies and implementation of tools, as well as a renewed effort to succeed  Bordeaux Communiqué

23 26/11/2008 Informal ministerial meetingBordeaux You are invited to join Cedefop’s Agora conference to discuss the findings of Cedefop’s report and the Bordeaux priorities Thessaloniki 16 – 17 March 2009 Thank you very much for your attention !