1. European Vocational Education and training Policy and programme update Presentation for EQAVET Annual Network Meeting Sofia, 20 June 2018
Joao SANTOS Deputy Head of Unit European Commission, Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Unit E3 - Vocational training, Apprenticeships and Adult learning

2. EU budget for the future

3. The MFF
The Structure
Overall, the Commission proposes a long-term budget of €1.135 billion in commitments (expressed in 2018 prices) over the period from 2021 to equivalent to 1.11% of the EU27's Gross National Income. Expressed in current prices (i.e. taking into account inflation), this would amount to €1.279 billion (see infograph). This level of commitments translates into €1.105 billion (or 1.08% of GNI) in payments (in 2018 prices). These figures include the integration into the EU budget of the European Development Fund, which to date is an intergovernmental agreement.
To fund new and pressing priorities, current levels of funding will need to be increased. In particular, the proposal calls for investing now in areas such as research and innovation, young people, the digital economy, border management, and security and defence, in order to contribute to prosperity, sustainability and security in the future. For instance, the budget of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps will be doubled.
Sources of funding
The Commission is calling for these proposals to be funded through a combination of fresh money (roughly 80%), redeployments and savings (roughly 20%). Building on recommendations from the High-Level Group on the 'Future Financing of the EU', it proposes to modernise and simplify the current overall financing and diversify the budget's sources of revenue.
In particular, it proposes to simplify the current VAT-based Own Resource, and introduce a basket of new Own Resources linked to the political priorities. These include:
20% of revenues from the Emissions Trading System;
A 3% call rate applied to the new Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (to be phased in once the necessary legislation has been adopted);
A national contribution calculated on the amount of non-recycled plastic packaging waste in each Member State (€0.80/kg).
These new Own Resources would represent about 12% of the total EU budget and could contribute up to €22 billion per year in funding for the new priorities.
The UK leaving the EU offers another opportunity to simplify EU financing. The Commission proposes to eliminate all rebates, and reduce the amount Member States keep when collecting customs revenues (an existing Own Resource) for the EU budget from 20% to 10%. Both measures will make the EU budget simpler and fairer. In order to avoid any sudden and drastic increases in contributions for some Member States, current rebates would be phased out over a period of five years.
At the same time, the Commission has critically examined where savings can be made and efficiency improved. It proposes that funding for the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy be moderately reduced - both by around 5% - to reflect the new reality of a Union at 27. These policies will be modernised to ensure they can still deliver with less - and even serve new priorities. For example, Cohesion Policy will have an increasingly important role to play in supporting structural reform and in the long-term integration of migrants.

4. The MFF Investing in people
Investing in People, Social Cohesion & Values cluster - €139,5 billion
The European Pillar of Social Rights a key reference
ESF+ €101.2 billion, brings together the:
European Social Fund,
Youth Employment Initiative,
Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived,
Employment and Social Innovation programme
Health programme
European Solidarity Corps increase to €1,26 billion
Erasmus+ doubling the budget to €30 billion (x3 mobilities)
Creative Europe and the new Justice, Rights and Values Programmes
The proposals upgrade the European Social Fund into a European Social Fund+ with an overall budget of €101.2 billion, simplifying and increasing its effectiveness by overcoming the current fragmentation of funding instruments in the social policy area.
Building on its successful 30-year history, the Commission proposes a substantially strengthened, inclusive and extended Erasmus+ programme, further promoting learning mobility across the EU.
A reinforced European Solidarity Corps will integrate the existing EU Aid Volunteers programme. This will offer European citizens a unique opportunity to engage in solidarity activities within and outside Europe.
Existing actions supporting European culture and creativity will be integrated into a new Creative Europe Programme (including MEDIA). The aim is to promote European culture and values that contribute to the identity of our Union. The new programme will also empower citizens through the promotion and protection of fundamental rights and values and to create opportunities for engagement and democratic participation in political and civil society. This programme will include a strong MEDIA strand with funding to further promote European cinema and creative and audiovisual sectors in general.
HOW ELSE WILL THE FUTURE EU BUDGET MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS AREA?
Investing in people is an overarching priority for the entire EU budget and is therefore covered by many of the Commission proposals. Examples include the following.
The Cohesion Policy supports regional and local development by co-financing investment and provides support to small businesses.
The InvestEU Fund will focus on investing in people notably through a separate funding window for social skills and human capital.
The Reform Support Programme will provide financial incentives for key reforms identified as part of the European Semester, including in the areas of education and training and labour market policies helping to create jobs, fight poverty and promote social inclusion.
The Commission also proposes a revamped European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to demonstrate solidarity with displaced workers and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased in the course of unexpected major restructuring events.

5. Supporting the establishment of Platforms of Vocational Excellence

6. What are Platforms of Vocational Excellence
An initiative to promote VET Excellence, innovation and attractiveness
Through trans-national Platforms, with a common interest in:
Sectoral approach (e.g. Automotive, Hospitality, Social care, Aerospace, etc.)
Thematic societal challenges (e.g. upskilling the low skilled, migrants, Digital skills, etc.)
VET supporting regional development and smart specialisation
Closely linked to "knowledge triangles"
Working with Universities to provide skills at all EQF levels
The aim is not to build new VET centres from scratch, but to connect existing training providers, their networks, chambers, etc.
This will be the first EU initiative which will materialise the concept of "Vocational excellence“, that has been called for since 2004.
We aim to support the establishment of a structured framework for transnational "Platforms of Vocational Excellence"
The aim is not to build new VET centres from scratch, but to connect existing training providers, their networks, chambers, etc.
Each platform shares a common interest on a specific economic sector or thematic societal challenge.
They should also link with European Universities Networks
The transnational level platforms will share expertise and build partnerships in local and regional economic ecosystems
We aim to launch an initiative to foster "upward convergence" of excellence in the sector, so that VET providers go far beyond the provision of "qualifications", and instead take a pro-active leadership role in regional development and smart specialisation strategies.

7. Vocational Excellence
Strongly involved at local level…
Regional development,
Smart Specialisation,
Knowledge triangle
Providing both Initial and continuing VET
Partnerships with Business: WBL, Skills anticipation, Apprenticeships
Incubators supporting job-creation, start-ups,
Quality
feedback loop,
learner tracking
Technology diffusion
Vocational Excellence
Cost-sharing and sustainable funding
Innovation HUB
Flexible pathways with Schools and Universities
Project based learning
Validation and Guidance
Characteristics of Vocational Excellence:
VET providing a complete portfolio of opportunities to develop both initial qualifications as well as upskilling and reskilling for adults.
VET supporting regional development and smart specialisation
Business-education partnerships for: apprenticeships, internships, sharing of equipment, exchanges of staff and teachers between companies and VET centres, etc.
Developing Joint VET curricula
Project based learning
Active in "Knowledge triangle“ with HE
Providing Guidance and validation
Innovative teaching and training methods
Strong focus on WBL and/or Apprenticeships
Internationalisation strategies to foster trans- national mobility
Business incubators, Innovation hubs, Technology diffusion

8. Platforms of Vocational Excellence How will they cooperate?
Platforms connecting existing training providers, their networks, chambers
Developing Joint VET curricula
Anticipating future skill needs
Internationalisation strategies for mobility of: learners, teachers, trainers, VET leaders
Innovative teaching and training methods
Sharing of resources and equipment
Active in trans-national "Knowledge triangle“
Trans-national applied research projects
Project based learning
Pro-active leadership role in some of the following areas:
Providing people with labour market relevant skills, in a lifelong learning continuum approach. Combining offers of initial VET qualifications, with offers of continuing training (upskilling  and reskilling).
Developing Joint VET curricula through platforms of VET providers in various countries bringing the very best know-how from each partner and facilitating recognition (VET at EQF levels 2 to 8). These qualifications should contain a substantial common core element with a significant part of the curricula sharing the same learning outcomes (important for giving credit for mobility experiences abroad, and facilitating mobility)
Building Business-education partnerships for: apprenticeships, internships, sharing of equipment, exchanges of staff and teachers between companies and VET centres, etc.
Actively participating in Knowledge triangles with Universities, Research centres, and Business, aimed at being at the forefront of research and technological developments, allowing the rapid update of training curricula and qualifications
Develop innovative teaching and training methodologies based on Digital technologies (e.g. MOOC's, simulators, etc.)
Strong focus on the continuing professional development of teachers and trainers (both pedagogical skills as well as technical skills, involvement in research projects among the Platform of VET providers, etc.).
Develop project based learning that bring inter-disciplinary approaches and VET learners from different fields of study (e.g. design, marketing, engineering) to solve real work problems/challenges
Providing guidance services, as well as validation of non-formal and informal learning
Develop internationalisation strategies to foster trans-national mobility of VET learners as well as teachers and trainers, with or without Erasmus+ support
Provide business incubators for VET learners to develop their entrepreneurship skills and projects
Develop innovation hubs and Technology diffusion centres, sharing their equipment and incentive their staff to work together with local SME's to conduct research and development of products and services, with the involvement of the VET learners. Technology diffusion centres or virtual demonstration centres for new technologies
Support regional investment projects by ensuring timely provision of skills for companies investing locally
Support regional development and smart specialisation strategies, working together with other education and training institutions (e.g. Universities and Polytechnics) to provide a wide portfolio and level of skills required by those strategies.
Making full use of EU financial instruments and Funds to support infrastructure investments to modernise VET centres with advanced equipment (including simulators, and high-tech equipment).
Developing sustainable financial models that combine public funding, and income generating activities for the Centres of Vocational Excellence

9. The European Vocational Skills Week
Stimulated by a timely report due from Cedefop on the changing nature and role of VET, as well as OECD work supported by the Commission on the value and benefits of work place learning, the Week will foster a debate on a set of sub-themes such as digitalisation, empowering individuals for lifelong career management and skills development, the validation of non-formal and informal learning, 21st century skills, the role of VET leaders/teachers/trainers, and the internationalisation of VET.
The concept will also foresee a close cooperation with skills competitions organisations.
The Commission led events and meetings during the 2018 Week are at an early stage of planning.
They will be organised by the European Commission in close cooperation with the Austrian Presidency and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) and other partner organisations
(Cedefop, OECD, UNESCO, etc.). The events will take place back-to-back with the meeting of Directors General for Vocational Training, hosted by the Austrian presidency, which will focus on defining the key building blocks for the post-2020 framework for European cooperation on VET.
Events to be organised by the Commission under the Week will include:
• Conference on the changing nature and role of VET (driven by CEDEFOP),
• Meeting of the European Apprentices Network,
• Inter-Agency-Group meeting (IAG-TVET),
• European Alliance for Apprenticeships (5th anniversary),
• "Skilling for the Future World of Work" – jointly with OECD,
• 2018 VET Excellence awards celebration,
• Closing session.

10. Raising the attractiveness of VET
VET Modernisation
Structural reforms
RIGA Conclusions, Skills Agenda
European Education Area
Image and attractiveness
Showcase excellence and inform of opportunities for young and adults
VET is a "smart" choice for learners
Opportunities for quality employment, attractive and challenging careers, upskilling and reskilling (cVET)
VET is a "smart choice" for companies
Play and active role in "building" the skills you need
Supports innovation and competitiveness
Provides excellent recruiting opportunities
Priority in Skills Agenda, and 2015 Riga Conclusions:
"Raise the attractiveness and improve the image of VET"
VET is often (but wrongly) seen as a 2nd choice "if nothing else works… then maybe VET"
We needed to: Showcase VET Excellence and Quality VET as a "smart" choice for both young and adults, with benefits for learners, companies, and society

11. 2018 Looking ahead… Preparing EU VET policy proposals for post-2020
The theme:
VET and the future of work: Jobs and skills
Preparing EU VET policy proposals for post-2020
Where: Vienna, Austria
When: 5 to 9 November 2018
The country holding the Presidency during the second half of 2018 – Austria – has offered to host the 3rd European Vocational Skills Week 2018, in Vienna from 5 to 9 November We will continue to highlight the excellence in and attractiveness of VET. The proposed theme for the 2018 Week is "VET and the future of work: jobs and skills". The 2018 Week will aim to promote a debate on how VET systems have to evolve to respond to the skills demands of the future in an increasingly globalised and digitised economy, feeding into the reflections for the post-2020 policy framework.
We propose that the overriding focus of the 2018 Week be "VET and the future of work: Jobs and skills". The aim is to promote the debate on future skills challenges and what they mean for employers, individuals, policy makers and education providers. The OECD, ILO and WEF have been very active in this field, and could be brought together to inform the debate and support our preparation for the VET post 2020 policy priorities. The Cedefop final report on the project "The changing nature and role of vocational education and training (VET) in Europe" could be a key element in fostering the debate. Other Cedefop initiatives planned for the 4th quarter of 2018, could also be associated to the VET week (e.g. Policy Learning Forum on WBL and T&T).
While the overall focus of the Week will be on EU VET policy coordination proposals for post-2020, it could benefit from a debate on a set of sub-themes, including a selection among the following:
Digitalisation – very relevant in the context of Industry 4.0 and the next ET2020 working group, and a topic that is equally relevant for iVET as well as cVET. It has implications for i) VET curricula (what we learn/teach), ii) how we teach, and iii) how we learn.
Validation of non-formal and informal learning - The 2012 Council Recommendation on the validation of non-formal and informal learning recommend that member states have in place, no later than 2018, arrangements for the validation of non-formal and informal learning. This VET-sector is the E&T sector in which validation is most prevalent, in particular in the context of continuing VET and also as a key element when implementing the 2016 Council Recommendation on Upskilling pathways. The OECD has also been developing work on this field that could contribute to the debate during the VET Week.
Empowering individuals for career management and skills development – Within the context of the debate on the future of work increasing emphasis is put on the individual responsibility for their skills development. However neither individuals (people of working age) nor the systems are prepared for that. We could start the debate and it could provide us with interesting input to our work on the future of VET.
21st century skills – this topic is closely linked with Riga VET Medium-term deliverable 4 on Key competences, as well as the provision of basic skills for all that is the focus of Upskilling pathways. The Review of the Key competences framework also provides the background for this theme. It is expected to be adopted by the Commission later this year and possibly adopted by the Council during the Austrian presidency.
VET Leaders, teachers and Trainers – excellent VET strategies and initiatives, without well qualified and committed VET leaders, teachers and trainers (T&T), cannot be successful. This could be a theme to bring together Higher education institutions that prepare the T&T of the future (including continuous professional development), as well as the VET Institution leaders and the T&T themselves, to discuss their new role as enablers and facilitators of learning.
VET Internationalisation – Going global. This is an opportunity to bring international VET stakeholders together including international VET associations (WFCC, IVETA, etc.), skills competitions organisations (WorldSkills, EuroSkills), international organisations (OECD, WB, ILO), regional organisations that have a role in regional VET coordination (ASEAN and others). It would also be an opportunity to discuss VET International mobility which is expected to start to be financed by Erasmus+ as from 2021, and why not launch a Joint VET Qualifications programme beyond EU borders (modelled on the Erasmus Joint VET Qualifications call).

12. The ambition for 2018 ! Local events: 1.800 (+83% on 2016)
Outreach to people: (+50% on 2016)
Commission led events: participations (+15% on 2016)
1. Brief evaluation of the 2017 European Vocational Skills Week
Following a very successful first European Vocational Skills Week in 2016, the second edition in 2017 equally exceeded all its targets events/activities across Europe were associated with the Week.
These national, regional and local events in 45 countries reached nearly 1,000,000 people. 81 million social media impressions were created through 19,000 posts and 15 million unique users were
reached. More than 200 media articles were published and video views exceeded As for the events organised in Brussels, the number of participations exceeded national Ambassadors and two pan-European Ambassadors shared their personal VET stories and spread the message on the opportunities provided by VET. "Employers Day" events were held across the EU, with contributions particularly from Nestlé (30 events across Europe) and the Public Employment Services.
The country holding the Presidency during the second half of 2018 – Austria – has offered to host the 3rd European Vocational Skills Week 2018, in Vienna from 5 to 9 November We will continue to highlight the excellence in and attractiveness of VET. The proposed theme for the 2018 Week is "VET and the future of work: jobs and skills". The 2018 Week will aim to promote a debate on how VET systems have to evolve to respond to the skills demands of the future in an increasingly globalised and digitised economy, feeding into the reflections for the post-2020 policy framework.
Good progress and excellent working relations with Austrian Presidency:
Timetable of activities agreed with AT presidency
Concept notes being drafted for each event
Concept notes for VET Excellence Awards
AT Presidency organising VET school visits
Ambassadors being identified
Venues and Hotels booked
Service orders under way
Site visits being prepared for March 12

13. VET Excellent awards The categories Companies and learners awards
EAfA - Apprentice
EAfA - Company
Training at work - Learner
Training at work - Company
Skills competitions
European Agencies awards
Cedefop VET Photo award
European Training Foundation award
VET innovators awards
Innovative VET provider (and 1 EYCH special mention)
Teacher and trainer
VET researcher
Entrepreneurial VET school
European funding for excellence
ESF project
Erasmus+ project
The indicative categories of awards are the following:
Companies and learners awards
EAfA - Apprentice (2 nominees of which 1 winner)
EAfA - Company (2 nominees of which 1 winner)
Training at work - Learner (2 nominees of which 1 winner)
Training at work - Company (2 nominees of which 1 winner)
Skills competitions (1 winner indicated by WorldSkills Europe)
VET innovators awards
Innovative VET provider (and 1 EYCH special mention) (2 nominees of which 1 winner)
Teacher and trainer (2 nominees of which 1 winner)
VET researcher (2 nominees of which 1 winner)
European funding for excellence
ESF project (2 nominees of which 1 winner)
Erasmus+ project (2 nominees of which 1 winner)
European Agencies awards
Cedefop VET Photo award (2 teams nominees of which 1 winning team)
European Training Foundation award (2 nominees of which 1 winner)
This special selection by the Jury is not subject to any voting, and will only be announced at the Award gala and the Closing ceremony. It is presented in the context of the European year of Cultural heritage.

14. 6 and 7 November EQAVET Forum 5 November National opening events
6 and 7 November Austrian Presidency DGVT
7 and 8 November VET Conference -
“The changing nature and role of VET in Europe”
8 November VET Excellence Awards
Nominees Celebration
8 November Skilling for the Future World of Work
Joint EC-OECD policy foresight workshop
8 November European Alliance for Apprenticeships
5th anniversary
9 November Closing event
Celebrating achievements
Stimulated by a timely report due from Cedefop on the changing nature and role of VET, as well as OECD work supported by the Commission on the value and benefits of work place learning, the Week will foster a debate on a set of sub-themes such as digitalisation, empowering individuals for lifelong career management and skills development, the validation of non-formal and informal learning, 21st century skills, the role of VET leaders/teachers/trainers, and the internationalisation of VET.
The concept will also foresee a close cooperation with skills competitions organisations.
The Commission led events and meetings during the 2018 Week are at an early stage of planning.
They will be organised by the European Commission in close cooperation with the Austrian Presidency and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) and other partner organisations
(Cedefop, OECD, UNESCO, etc.). The events will take place back-to-back with the meeting of Directors General for Vocational Training, hosted by the Austrian presidency, which will focus on defining the key building blocks for the post-2020 framework for European cooperation on VET.
Events to be organised by the Commission under the Week will include:
• Conference on the changing nature and role of VET (driven by CEDEFOP),
• Meeting of the European Apprentices Network,
• Inter-Agency-Group meeting (IAG-TVET),
• European Alliance for Apprenticeships (5th anniversary),
• "Skilling for the Future World of Work" – jointly with OECD,
• 2018 VET Excellence awards celebration,
• Closing session.

15. We need you … To engage in:
Promote the organisation of the Week events at national, regional and local level
Organise national/local events (as from September)
Work with national Ambassadors
Apply for VET Excellence awards
Indicate national/regional/sectoral VET provider associations

16. Coming soon: the 2018 Week at