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Evidence-based policy making is widely discussed in many countries as a way of ensuring more transparent and robust policies, and making policy-makers more accountable for meeting the needs and expectations of the constituencies they serve. In 2010, the [European Training Foundation] ETF launched the Torino Process with a view to offering interested partner countries a framework and technical support aimed at supporting progress in the [vocational education and training] VET area. The exercise, which will be repeated every two years, is ultimately intended to respond to the interest in robust assessment and in resources for VET policy making. This report presents the main findings of the Torino Process 2010, consolidating the findings of the individual country reports along the different dimensions deemed relevant to assessing VET systems and measuring VET policy progress.

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The number of young people commencing apprenticeships and traineeships whilst at school, and monitored by their school, has grown considerably, encouraged by State and Federal governments, since the first participants began in 1997. There has as yet been little research into the nature of the training given to, and learning experienced by, such young people; most published literature has related to organisational issues. This paper reports on a research project funded by the National Research and Evaluation Committee [NREC] into learning and training in school-based new apprenticeships (SBNAs). A questionnaire was sent to a large sample of all SBNAs in three States: Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, using a survey instrument adapted from a previous NREC study, 'School students' learning from their paid and unpaid work' (report indexed at TD/TNC 68.01). The results present an overview of SBNA employment, training and learning practices which will provide an important basis for development of policy and practice in this area.

Published abstract.

The collection of papers is indexed at TD/TNC 73.601. Individual papers are indexed from TD/TNC 73.602 to TD/TNC 73.621. Show less

This paper provides an analytical review of the current state of vocational education and training (VET) in the candidate countries in Eastern and Central Europe and the MEDA region (Cyprus and Malta). It is intended to form the basis for further discussion between representatives of the candidate countries and the European Training Foundation’s Governing Board, to support the accession process of the candidate countries through the definition of their human resource needs, and to support strategic planning of future work by the ETF in these countries. The paper is based on in-depth discussion with representatives from the countries and the experience and expertise gained by the ETF in the last five years.

The paper consists of two parts. The first part presents a cross-country overview based on the analysis of the development of VET in each individual country. This section draws together common key areas where further improvement is required. The second part contains the study of the current state of development of VET in Bulgaria. The country study begins with an overall assessment and then examines initial vocational training and continuing vocational training. Elements such as the legal and conceptual framework, the administrative and institutional system, financing, and the key features of VET delivery, are described. The study concludes with an overview of key employment issues and identifies priority areas for future development assistance. The range of candidate country reports are indexed from TD/INT 60.291 to TD/INT 60.300 and from TD/INT 61.101 to TD/INT 61.102. Show less

This report, commissioned by the [European Training Foundation] ETF, aims to identify the main trends in [human capital development] HCD in the Republic of Moldova over the last two decades using both quantitative and qualitative indicators. It was also designed to identify inequity within and between population groups in terms of access to education, choices of learning opportunities and the quality of education and training. The study also looked at adult training, its role and contribution to the human capital in the country. Lifelong learning is an increasingly important element of HCD that has become inevitable in some sectors due to the rapid rate of technological and procedural change that is also related to economic restructuring. The report closes with the main conclusions on HCD trends and equity in education in the Republic of Moldova, in terms of access, choice and quality of education during the transition period.

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The European Training Foundation, in agreement with the European Commission, has undertaken a series of in depth reviews of the labour markets in the Western Balkan countries with the aim to contribute to a better understanding of their functioning and identify areas for further work in the fields of employment policy and education and training reform. Specifically, these reviews: (1) analyse the economic context in the Western Balkan countries and in particular the pace of the economic restructuring process and its impact on jobs and employment (chapter one); (2) analyse recent trends in labour markets with the aim of identifying major challenges in the labour markets in terms of the economic restructuring process (chapter two); (3) assess policy responses and the institutional setting in which the challenges identified can be addressed, in the context of supporting economic restructuring and growth (chapter three); and (4) provide recommendations for further action (chapter four). The labour market challenges and the policy responses are examined against the four broad key objectives set out in the revised European Employment Strategy: increasing the adaptability of workers and enterprises; attracting more people to enter and remain in the labour market; investing more and more effectively in human capital; and ensuring better implementation of reforms through better governance.

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Steve Davis interviews a collection of presenters from two panel discussions at the 29th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference 'No Frills', held on 7-10 July 2020. Topics covered in the lively discussion include new directions in skills planning, digital technology and the role it plays in aged and community care, insights from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), and the role of parental influence in taking on apprenticeships. Speakers are Professor John Buchanan, The University of Sydney; Ms Anne Livingstone and Dr George Margelis, Australian Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council; Mr David Redway, Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment; and Professor Erica Smith, Federation University.

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In 2020, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) invited expert vocational voices from the vocational education and training (VET) sector to share their views, stories, experiences and insights on a range of hot topics. This podcast is a roundup of interesting snippets and research findings from across the eight podcast episodes released during the year. Full of short and sharp insights from each of the guest speakers, it covers off some of the best bits of Seasons 4 and 5.

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This report belongs to a series of country analyses developed by the European Training Foundation (ETF) at the end of 2005 for all countries in the Mediterranean region, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It contains an overview of the country's social and economical contexts, an analysis of the educational system and a short review of the main initiatives in education and training carried out by international donors in the country. Assistance in Moldova should be given to strengthening the good results achieved so far in the ongoing reforms in the labour market system, keeping them in line with European standards in order to extend and better promote active labour market policies through active social partnership.

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The series of reports is indexed from TD/TNC 84.362 to TD/TNC 84.375. Show less

This article examines the nature of employability skills in the context of broader notions of generic skills, and the ways in which employability skills can be developed, assessed, and reported. The issues, which are similar in all developed countries, are illustrated primarily with examples from Australia. The article concludes with some issues for future consideration.

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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 the human resource development; EU (European Union) and other donor policies and interventions; Mid-term perspective ETF intervention strategies contributing to added value to national, EU and donor reform-support policies; Objectives and indicators for the Work Programme 2007. The ETF objective for 2007 is: European Commission Services are supported in the definition of relevant interventions in the field of education and training. Awareness of the need to address quality enhancement and relevance of holistic approach in education and training provision has increased.

There has been a clear shift from vocational education to general education during recent years. Participation in vocational education over the past 5 years has decreased from 22% to 8% of the population in secondary education, in a continued decline from much higher levels of participation after 1991. As a consequence, half the VET (vocational education and training) schools have already been closed. With hardly any investment in the VET sector, obsolete equipment and rapidly aging teaching staff, the sector is at risk of shrinking further and may even disappear in the coming 5 years. VET is more expensive than general education and often HE (Higher Education), since it requires equipment and consumables for training. Instructors in practical training have often left the schools in search of better employment elsewhere. The government has been trying to turn around the demise of VET schools. It is planning to abolish craft schools and introduce a new type of full-secondary VET, the professional lyceum. A new VET strategy is under discussion, proposing to turn group schools into regional training centres that can respond better to regional needs, starting a decentralisation process of VET, and increasing the role of stakeholders.

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