RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
EU policies for vocational training and adult education
Anna Barbieri
Vocational training, apprenticeships and adult education
DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
EU policies for vocational training (VET)
and Adult learning
Content
Riga medium-term deliverables (MTDs) for the period 2015-2020
European Alliance for Apprenticeships
A new Skills agenda for Europe
European VET Skills week
What's in VET and AL for civil society
Riga Medium-term deliverables
Overall framework
Vision and objectives of Bruges Communiqué valid until 2020
http://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/vocational-
policy/doc/brugescom_en.pdf
New medium-term deliverables (MTDs) for the period 2015-2020
http://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/vocational-policy/doc/2015-riga-
conclusions_en.pdf
Part of ET 2020 Strategic Framework (Joint report of November 2015)
Riga Medium-term deliverables
With a view to develop high quality, labour market relevant vocational
skills and qualifications, based on the learning outcomes approach:
1. work-based learning in all its forms
2. quality assurance and feedback loops to I-VET and C-VET
For people's informed choice of pathways and long-term employability
and adaptability to evolving skills needs:
3. access to VET and qualifications for all through more flexible and
permeable systems, notably by offering guidance and validation
4. key competences in both I and CVET
In support of reforms to raise quality and efficiency of VET:
5. professional development of VET teachers, trainers and mentors
European Alliance for Apprenticeships
IMPROVING QUALITY, SUPPLY, IMAGE and MOBILITY OF
APPRENTICESHIPS
Definition : Formal VET programmes, combining company-based training with
school-based education and leading to a nationally recognized qualification.
Milestones and achievements
• Joint Declaration the European level social partners, the Commission and
the Lithuanian Presidency (02.07.2013)
• Member States have made individual commitments
• More than 100 pledges from social partners, chambers, companies, VET
providers, regions and youth organisations
• An active network of stakeholders meeting several times per year
• A EU level event in Riga in June 2015 – NEXT IN MARCH 2017
A new Skills agenda for Europe
I. HIGHER AND MORE RELEVANT SKILLS
Link to roadmaps :
1. "Skills Guarantee" http://ec.europa.eu/smart-
2. VET as a pathway to excellence regulation/roadmaps/docs/2016_empl_
005_skills_initiative_en.pdf
3. Initiatives concerning other DGs
http://ec.europa.eu/smart-
regulation/roadmaps/docs/2016_empl_
007_skills_pathways_en.pdf
II. MAKING SKILLS VISIBLE
4. European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
5. ECVET and EQAVET
III. BETTER ANTICIPATION AND SKILLS INTELLIGENCE
6. Create synergies among the different portals and networks concerning skills
7. Sectorial Cooperation on Skills
Work-based learning – European Alliance for
Apprenticeships
Business-education partnerships – EU Pact for Youth
High-end skills, through
Advanced VET programmes
Vet as a
path for Updating and upgrading skills
excellence of the workforce (continuous VET)
Rewarding and promoting quality
Learner mobility
European VET Skills week
Attractiveness through excellence
European VET Skills week
• 2015 Riga Conclusions:
"Raise the attractiveness and
improve the image of VET"
• VET as a "smart" choice for learners
and parents
• VET for improved employability
• Critical role of VET in supporting
innovation and competitiveness
• Opportunities for quality
employment, attractive and
challenging careers, upskilling and
reskilling (cVET)
Planning for the VET Skills Week
• Activities at EU level & at national,
regional and local level (Open Days)
• Focus on both I-VET & C-VET
• Showcase "excellence" in VET
• Involving all relevant stakeholders
• Awards for excellence in various
categories
• Strong communication campaign
media to reach the grassroots
WHAT'S IN VET and AL FOR CIVIL
SOCIETY
• Information
• Consultation
• Activation / dissemination
• Results
Additional Links
• DROP PIN for youth https://ec.europa.eu/eures/droppin/en
• EU Pact for youth
http://www.csreurope.org/sites/default/files/publications/European_Pact_for_Youth.pdf
• Results ET2020 working groups VET and AL
http://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/strategic-framework/expert-groups/2014-2015/index_en.htm
• EPALE for educators of adults https://ec.europa.eu/epale/
24 themes under five main topics in all EU official languages
