1. Optimizing the links between labour market and the VET system: development of the dual VET school in Romania Stelian Victor Fedorca Secretary of State Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sports 28 th of November 2012- Regensburg

2. Current skills needs, challenges and priorities of VET in Romania Romanian economic system under important changes Needs for a skilled workforce to respond to the challenges of globalization and economic crisis Actions to reach the priorities of the Europe Strategy 2020 Priorities:  Increasing the cooperation at the European and regional level in the field of education and training  Adapting the education and training system to the labour market needs (by optimizing the links between labour market and the VET system, developing the dual VET school in Romania  Ensuring a qualitative and efficient education and training system (by improving the qualifications description, increasing the time allocated for practical training in the training programmes, involving companies in qualification design, practical training, evaluation and certification, training of teachers)

3. The Romanian VET system restructured 8 th grade13-14YR 9 Technological 9 Theoretical 9 Vocational (art/sports) Selection 10 Professional 11 Professional 10 Technological 11 Technological 12 Technological Qualification Certificate Level 3 EQF Qualification Certificate Level 4 COMPANY Option Bacalaureat UNIVERSITY Post-highschool Option

4. How can the EU Strategy for the Danube Region or concrete cooperation projects contribute to overcome them? offering a discussion and cooperation forum in the region giving opportunities for exchange of good practices in VET ensuring financial support for increasing the quality of skills in the region supporting common initiatives through projects

5. Romania is involved in multilateral regional activities, in particular in the VET sector. Main measures and their planned outputs (1) Romania is coordinating, through the National Centre for VET development, the Cluster of Knowledge Modernizing the VET system – improving performance, quality and attractiveness of VET The main output is a Compendium of good practices in VET, realized with the contribution of different countries from South East Europe

6. Romania is involved in multilateral regional activities, in particular in the VET sector. Main measures and their planned outputs (2) VET school in the dual system (on the model of the German VET school) The German vocational school Kronstadt from Brasov Other companies (Romanian and foreign) interested in cooperating for ensuring skills for future labour force

7. Romania is involved in multilateral regional activities, in particular in the VET sector. Main measures and their planned outputs (3) Envisaged project of cooperation between Romanian Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education from Baden Wurtenberg To be implemented in 2013 Capacity building for teachers of VET in the Danube Region- Project of in-service teacher training in VET proposed in the priority area 9 “Invest in people and skills” of the Danube Strategy.

8. Next steps in the regional cooperation Involve partners from the region in developing common qualifications and promote VET attractiveness Use the available funds in the region to promote mobility in learning Ensure funds available for the human ressources development in the region, through the Danube Strategy

9. Thank you