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This report focuses on how 27 countries neighbouring the European Union (EU) are coping with [Coronavirus Disease 2019] COVID-19 in the field of education and training, as part of the #learningconnects campaign. The report includes information about countries from South Eastern Europe and Turkey, the Eastern Partnership and Russia, the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, and Central Asia on: (1) support for teachers and trainers through multiple channels; (2) access to internet and outreach measures considering equality, opportunities and digital literacy; (3) decisions regarding examinations, certification and validation; (4) school autonomy in organising digital and online learning; and (5) addressing vocational education and training beyond general education subjects.

Some good practice examples include the continued development of teachers and trainers virtually in Ukraine and Egypt and the focus on vocational education and training (VET) through training and online support in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. In addition, civil society is spearheading initiatives in Palestine, television channels are broadening access for learners in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, and emotional support is offered to students through dedicated channels in Israel.

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Cedefop has recently started new research and analysis to provide more insights on skill mismatch issues and problems in Europe. Several new studies are planned to provide policy-makers with new information needed to anticipate and address mismatch. To establish policy-relevant themes for Cedefop’s skill mismatch research in the coming years, experts have been invited to the Centre to share their experience on the most promising research opportunities. Combining the views of experts with careful analysis of relevant academic research has led to five overall research priorities. This working paper gives an overview of these priorities.

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This regional report draws together and analyses research findings from a study commissioned by the European Training Foundation (ETF) in seven countries in the Western Balkan region, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia. The overall objectives of this study were as follows: to identify and map issues, challenges and opportunities in teacher preparation for inclusive education in the Western Balkans and to analyse these against relevant European and international trends; and to provide evidence for improving policies and practices in pre-service and in-service teacher development for inclusive education in the Western Balkans. Inclusive education is broadly conceptualised in this study as the process by which a school attempts to respond to all pupils as individuals by reconsidering and restructuring curricular organisation and provision and by allocating resources to enhance equality of opportunity. This process enables schools to increase their capacity to accept all the pupils from the local community who wish to attend and, in so doing, reduces all forms of exclusion and degradation of students on the basis of disability, ethnicity or anything that could render the school life of some children unnecessarily difficult.

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This review describes recent activities and projects in identifying skill requirements in Greece. Results suggest that problems of skill mismatch are mainly due to a deficit in demand for skilled labour rather than a deficit in supply of skills. Most Greek firms - mainly small businesses - are not open to new developments and or developing their employees’ skills. This is a challenge for policy to support training, to foster openness to cope with new challenges, raise awareness of the importance of training and skills and make use of the opportunities offered by information and communication technologies. Much more research is needed in Greece on skill needs, mismatch in labour markets and skill acquisition of target groups - and above all on transferring research findings into policy and practice. The contents are: The Greek education and training system and the Greek labour market: some facts; Organisations in Greece actively involved in identification of skill needs; Identification of skill needs - activities; Identification of future skills requirements - action taken by international European bodies; Conclusions - policy implications.

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The underlying premise of the Inventory follows from the goal of monitoring and characterizing the development of [national qualifications frameworks] NQFs as implemented by member states. The Inventory involves both a mapping of global qualification reforms and thematic chapters that discuss key trends and policy issues emerging from qualifications framework reforms and development. This Inventory provides a broad overview of the status and scope of qualifications frameworks internationally as at the end of 2014. It includes the NQFs of 86 countries and seven regional qualifications frameworks (RQFs). The Inventory acts as an observatory of progress and achievement of NQF goals through country case studies. Specifically, the case studies look at the main policy objectives, stakeholder involvement, the framework adopted for implementation, the focus on learning outcomes and the use of level descriptors. They also consider the ways in which the validation of non-formal learning is considered (if any), and how these link to the NQF. The case studies finish with important lessons and future plans.

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Chapters in this volume are: Chapter 1: Between communication and transformation: the impact of European national qualifications frameworks; Chapter 2: Links between NQFs and validation of non-formal and informal learning; Chapter 3: NQF links with informal sector skills development; Chapter 4: NQFs and reforming qualifications; Chapter 5: Changing legal and institutional arrangements as a consequence of qualifications systems reforms; and Chapter 6: Developing world reference levels of learning outcomes: potential and challenges. Show less

Increasing Europe's competitiveness while preserving the European social model, coping with population ageing, reducing unemployment, tackling labour market skill needs and shortages, and improving enterprises' economic performance all exert pressures on [vocational education and training] VET, pushing for its modernisation. The search for models of good governance in VET is an effective policy response to the increasing degree of uncertainty for economies and individuals that characterise our times. It allows VET to become more responsive to changing labour market and individual needs and flexible enough to address skills imbalances and shortages. European and national policy has set high expectations for VET modernisation. VET should be an attractive option for young people and adults to foster the acquisition of professional qualifications and their updating throughout working life. Professional competences and skills delivered through VET should be a model of excellence, while being transparent to relevant parties at individual, company and state levels. This fourth report on VET research in Europe analyses the above pressures for VET modernisation. Research, however, also underlines the key role of VET itself in addressing these socioeconomic challenges. VET, therefore, not only reacts to change, but is also a driver of success and competitiveness for European economies and societies. Throughout this publication, Cedefop has gathered evidence of the role VET plays in sustaining economic development, promoting active ageing, ensuring adequate skill supply, supporting corporate innovation capacity, growth and productivity, combating social exclusion and improving social cohesion. Synchronised and modern VET is not only an aim but also a means of addressing the challenges that lie ahead.

Published abstract.

Volume 1 is available in VOCEDplus at TD/IRD 88.433, volume 2 at TD/IRD 88.434 and volume 3 at TD/IRD 88.435. Show less

Cities are key players in mitigating climate change and shaping the green transition via services and through regulatory competence. Using the smart and green city concept in existing and new urban settings contributes to achieving European Green Deal ambitions. This policy brief reports on a Cedefop skills foresight study which looked at the occupations and skills that help cities become smarter and greener and the role vocational education and training can play in developing them.

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In 2010 and 2012 the European Training Foundation (ETF) launched the first two rounds of the Torino Process, in which most of its partner countries participated. In May 2013 the ETF organised a conference entitled ‘The Torino Process: Moving skills forward’, which was attended by some 200 policy makers, experts and practitioners of vocational education and training (VET) from ETF partner countries, the European Union (EU) and international organisations. Both in the Declaration of this conference (see Annex 2) and in the external evaluation covering both rounds of the Torino Process, the relevance of this exercise is acknowledged by the partner countries and the international community. The Torino Process is perceived as a useful tool for policy analysis and the identification of priorities and challenges in the sector, and as an important step on the road towards evidence-based policy making in the partner countries. The Torino Process has been inspired by policy assessment processes at EU level, notably the Copenhagen Process in VET and the 2010 Bruges Communique. Indeed, the Torino Process in partner countries complements the review of progress towards the common EU VET policies, objectives and tools under the Bruges Communique. This complementarity facilitates mutual learning between the EU and its partner countries. Following a similar biennial format as the Bruges Process, the Torino Process is now entering its third edition in 2014.

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This report belongs to a series of country analyses developed by the European Training Foundation (ETF). It covers: Socioeconomic background; Key policy issues and strategies in human resource development (HRD); EU (European Union) and other donor policies and interventions; EU-funded HRD projects started in 2005 and continuing in 2007; EU-funded projects planned to start in 2007; Other donor projects; The ETF; Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) 2007-2013; Mid-term perspective ETF intervention strategies; Governance, institution building and capacity building; General enhancement of education and skills; Social inclusion; Work Programme 2007: objectives and indicators. The ETF objectives for Serbia are: To improve networking and country intelligence and to provide policy advice to stakeholders and to EU services.

Donor interventions in vocational education and training (VET) have resulted in the introduction of new curricula and new methods of learning and teaching. However, the latter have not yet been fully integrated in the VET system, which, in general, still lacks the flexibility to adapt to changing market and social needs. This is broadly recognised as an impediment to the development of a dynamic, entrepreneurial and well-educated labour force. The adult education and training system is particularly underdeveloped. Overall there is a great need to develop an effective lifelong learning strategy. The public resources for education are very limited and private funding (e.g. from businesses) has not yet been mobilised. The Ministry of Education and Sports has launched initiatives aimed at modernising the education and training system through the elaboration of policies and piloting activities. Despite the delays occurring as a result of frequent ministerial changes, work in the field of VET has progressed - primarily in the form of high quality, comprehensive policy papers (a white paper, a green paper for VET, and a paper for the development of adult education, dating from 2005). The ultimate aim is to draw education and the economy closer, by developing a national qualifications system, setting up quality assurance mechanisms, and modernising curricula.

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The series of reports is indexed from TD/TNC 90.820 to TD/TNC 90.844. Show less

This report is based on a small research project conducted on behalf of the European Commission and Cedefop. The project’s objective was to undertake a series of case studies and a summary study of the development of e-learning in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in different countries. SMEs play a central role in the European Union, accounting for over 99% of all businesses, but have unfortunately been very slow in adapting to e-learning practices. Various factors - such as globalisation, the flood of information and communications technologies (ICTs), and the building of Europe’s lifelong learning culture - all demand an updating of the SME workforce’s skills and competences. This report seeks to identify good practices in the development and implementation of models for the use of e-learning, and discuss issues associated with them. The results indicate that there is: a missing training culture in SMEs; an ‘e-learning divide’ between white and blue-collar workers; poor content; linguistic issues; costs; and missing support structures. Suggestions made in regard to supporting the development and use of e-learning in SMEs include: possible changes in work organisation; the use of e-learning to support informal learning; development of effective pedagogies and strategies for e-learning in SMEs; and the important role of regions, networks and partnerships. Show less