1. 1 Part I EU lifelong guidance policy Milan REMIŠ DG Education and Culture Unit A1 – Lifelong learning: contribution to the Lisbon process milan.remis@ec.europa.eu

2. 2 Part I Lifelong learning and guidance policy

3. 3 globalisation – structural changes, relocation of manufacturing unemployment shortages in certain sectors demographic changes – new types of jobs (mostly in social services) technological development – demand for high skilled workers, generic (transferable) versus specific skills Context: challenges of the EU

4. 4 Lisbon European Council (2000) Barcelona European Council (2002) Education & Training 2010 co-operation –Bologna process (Declaration on higher education, June 1999) –Copenhagen process (Declaration on vocational training, November 2002) EU Lifelong learning policy + common objectives/targets Renewed Lisbon strategy (March 2005) Political context

5. 5 Common objectives Peer learning Monitoring of progress (indicators and benchmarks, biennial joint reports) EU reference tools supporting national reforms Open method of coordination

6. 6

7. 7 Lifelong guidance Validation of non-formal learning Europass (transparency/self-assessment) Key competences ECVET and Quality Assurance package (04/08) European Qualifications Framework (adopted 22/04/08) Adult learning action plan and Council Conclusions (adopted 22/05/08) Principles and initiatives

8. 8 Green paper on Education + Migration (6/08) Communication on schools (6/08) French presidency: –Guidance conference, Lyon, 17-18/09/2008 –Next stage of Copenhagen process, Bordeaux, 25/11/08 New skills for new jobs communication (12/08) Future strategic framework for Education and Training co-operation post 2010 (12/08) European year of creativity and innovation 2009 Forthcoming initiatives

9. 9 Part I Part II Networks in lifelong guidance

10. 10 Network of National Resource and Information Centres for Guidance, established in 1992 Objectives: –Develop European dimension in national systems of educational and vocational guidance and counselling –Promote mutual awareness and cooperation between guidance services –Support EU policy initiatives in the filed of lifelong guidance –Provide and exchange quality information on guidance –Cooperation on PLOTEUS portal on learning opportunitiesPLOTEUS Euroguidance

11. 11 Resolution on Lifelong Guidance of the EU Council (2004) Conclusions of the Finnish EU-presidency conference (2006) Preparatory meeting in Brussels, March 9, 2007 Inaugural meeting in Helsinki, May 7-8, 2007 28 members and one observer Co-financed by the Lifelong learning programme European Lifelong Guidance Policy Network

12. 12 access to guidance and the quality of guidance systems improved in general but much remains to be done - many countries still have significant gaps in provision and deficits in quality it is important that collaboration at EU level is maintained and enhanced Finnish presidency conference on lifelong guidance, 2006

13. 13 National guidance fora can play an important role in supporting policy development within member-states Such fora need to embrace all dimensions and sectors of guidance provision (including schools, VET, tertiary education, public employment services, community-based services) The nature, tasks and structures of the fora should be related to the needs within each country Active involvement of policy-makers is essential The work of national guidance fora could be significantly strengthened by the activities of the ELGPN National guidance fora

14. 14 Support for policy development Policy sharing, peer-learning activities Information gathering Policy analysis and research Use of reference tools Exploiting project outcomes Strengthening representative structures ELGPN: long term objectives

15. 15 ELGPN and the national fora should be linked, through appropriate membership or co-operation arrangements, to other relevant networks and initiatives at European level: Euroguidance network Public Employment Services (PES) network professional networks, e.g. IAEVG, FEDORA international organisations, bodies (e.g. OECD) other relevant stakeholder networks (e.g. social partners, parents) ELGPN: Co-operation with other structures

16. 16 Part I Part III Recent initiatives

17. 17 Part I European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning

18. 18 barriers to lifelong learning and mobility: between Member States and between systems, e.g. between higher education and VET within countries member states asked the Commission to develop instrument for transparency of qualifications and mobility Bologna/Copenhagen process complements other mobility instruments: Europass/ECTS/ECVET EQF: reasons and context

19. 19 Looks at learning outcomes 8 levels covering general, HE and VET (LLL) Create common reference framework as translation device between qualifications systems and levels Aims: enhance mobility and Lifelong learning EQF: approach and objectives

20. 20 EQF Level 1 EQF Level 2 EQF Level 3 EQF Level 4 EQF Level 5 EQF Level 6 EQF Level 7 EQF Level 8 Country A Country B Q Q Q NQ F/ NQ S Q Q Q Q

21. 21 Existing NQFs: Ireland, UK France, Malta Commitment to NQF: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Turkey Considering or preparing NQFs: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania and Sweden Not preparing: Cyprus, Greece, Iceland Implementation in countries

22. 22 Part I European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET)

23. 23 dedicated to individuals, in a borderless and lifelong learning perspective based on learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, competence) achieved in all learning contexts (formal, non F, informal) centred on qualifications and fully coherent with EQF focused on Mobility transparency and “tool” oriented compatible with ECTS used in the higher education sector ECVET is:

24. 24 Learning context A Learning context B Transcript of record Validation of L.O. Recognition of L.O. Accumulation of L.O. Assessment of L.O. Credit for L.O. Country A Country B

25. 25 Concepts and glossary Description of qualifications in units of learning outcomes Transfer Process (assessment, validation, recognition and accumulation of learning outcomes) and partnerships (essential) ECVET points allocated to qualifications and to units (additional) The ECVET package:

26. 26 Qualification 10 Points 30 Points 20 Points Unit 60 Pts ECVET points indicate the relative weight of units:

27. 27 Promote ECVET and implement it from 2012 at the latest Support the development of partnerships and networks involving VET stakeholders, social partners and sectors Ensure access to information and guidance Ensure that concerned qualifications and related Europass documents contain explicit information on the use of ECVET Promote and apply the principles for Quality assurance Insure that mechanisms of coordination and monitoring are operational Recommendation to Member states:

28. 28 Part I New Skills for New Jobs

29. 29 New Skills for New Jobs Steps forward “New Skills for New Jobs" Communication to be ready by the end of 2008: First assessment of skills needs up to 2015 (CEDEFOP) Mapping of existing tools at national and European level Proposal to develop common European forecasting approach Further after 2008 – to establish a long term forecasting infrastructure and sector scenarios

30. 30 New Skills for New Jobs The role of E&T systems Raising levels of skills Ensuring a better match between the skills « supplied » with skills « demanded » by the society/economy (including improved guidance services) Increasing responsiveness of E&T system Increasing participation in lifelong learning Inclusion of groups at risk (older workers, people with disabilities, migrants …) Change to learning outcomes approach (EQF, ECVET, validation of non-formal/informal learning)

31. 31 New Skills for New Jobs The role of guidance Interface between E&T and labour market Awareness of results of forecasting initiative – inform the clients to make the right career choices Increased importance of guidance services in relation to New Skills for New Jobs initiative and flexicurity strategies Council Resolution on NSNJs (11/2007) – information about skills and competences needs to be disseminated through EURES, national employment services, European and national network on guidance

32. 32 Thank you for your attention!