1. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 1 Lifelong learning - the role of workplace learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises The challenges we face Mara Brugia, Head of Area, Cedefop Eden 2005 Annual Conference Helsinki, 20-23 June

2. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 2 Political agenda of achieving the Lisbon goals of 2010 not matched by economic developments European demographic forecasts show a shrinking and ageing workforce up to 2020 Older workers forming the core of the workforce Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

3. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 3 Currently 80 million EU citizens are low skilled By 2010 almost half of the net additional jobs will require tertiary level qualifications Almost 40% will require upper secondary level Logically, job prospects for the low skilled will decline In other words half the EU workforce (100 million) require upskilling Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

4. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 4 Unsettling prospects in the current European economy SMEs in Europe account for 99% of all businesses They provide employment for 74 million people Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

5. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 5 eLearning is an enabler of upskilling in large European companies (60% of training needs in ICT sector) Uptake in SMEs is slow throughout Europe Largely limited to managers and ICT staff Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

6. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 6 Decisive factors of influence are: lack of a training culture within SMEs lack of appropriate training materials the attitude of individual managers lack of access to sufficient bandwidth Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

7. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 7 Research shows that most learning takes place in work social situations Informal in nature It is a change of the learning paradigm Must become embedded in the work organisation Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

8. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 8 The main objectives of ICT supported learning: increase access to learning opportunities with increased flexibility and modes of delivery enhance the quality of the learning experiences increase the efficiency of the organisation, by reducing costs and increasing productivity Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

9. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 9 What are the obstacles SMEs face? Much current eLearning simply replicate books on a computer eLearning needs to be about learning by doing eLearning industry: shift from technological to pedagogical perspective Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

10. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 10 What are the obstacles SMEs face? The issue of the learning culture What motivates the learner in the SME? Do we really know the training and learning needs of SMEs? Do we know what elearning materials and infrastructures are available to SMEs? Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

11. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 11 What are the obstacles SME’s face? Elearning is not a cheap solution Materials should be recycled for different uses Issue of open standards is essential What about the changing role of the trainer? Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

12. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 12 The issue is a complex one What are the funding responsibilities of the public and private sector? Already substantial difference over occupational social groups Raises the issue of social exclusion Lifelong learning - the role of work-place learning in European small and medium-sized enterprises - The challenges we face

13. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 13 For more information: http://www.trainingvillage.gr/etv/Projects_Networks/Elearning

14. Eden 2005 Annual Conference, Helsinki, 20-23 June 14 Mara Brugia, Head of Area B E-mail: mb@cedefop.eu.int Colin McCullough, eLearning, eMedia and Knowledge Management E-mail: cmc@cedefop.eu.int Eila Heikkila, eLearning project manager E-mail: ehe@cedefop.eu.int Virginie Aimard, project assistant E-mail: vai@cedefop.eu.int P.O. Box 22427 GR-55102 Thessaloniki Greece Tel.: (30) 23 10 49 01 11 Fax: (30) 23 10 49 01 02 E-mail: info@cedefop.eu.int Brussels Office: 20, avenue d’Auderghem B-1040 Brussels Tel.: (32-2) 230 19 78 Fax: (32-2) 230 58 24 E-mail: info.be@cedefop.eu.int Cedefop’s eLearning team