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The greening of the European economy, as outlined in the [European Union] EU 2020 strategy, will have profound effects on the labour market and the development of the skills of the European population. This report claims that the main factors slowing down adaptation to the green economy and the development of necessary skills are the failure of employers to demand new qualifications, and the uncertainty surrounding regulations and policies. Learning providers also report difficulties in meeting the needs of employers and understanding what organisations' skill needs are. Overall, there is limited evidence that green policies have become part of the mainstream of skills development and hiring policies. There is clearly a potential for policy makers and social partners to raise awareness and take common action. This study on green skills and environmental awareness in vocational education and training identifies the main challenges and priorities. It also makes recommendations on how the labour market can be helped to respond to emerging skill needs. The study further investigates the links between skill needs and the responses of learning providers.

Abstract from Cedefop website. Show less

This publication contains a summary of statistics on persons undertaking vocational training through contracts of training arrangements (apprenticeships and traineeships) for the quarter ending 30 June 2005. It looks at the estimates of apprentices and trainees who were training as at 30 June 2005 and at longer term trends for in-training figures. The profile of the apprentice and trainee population has changed significantly in the 12 months to 30 June 2005 and commencement numbers provide the best guide for the direction of change in the apprentice and trainee population. Newly commencing apprentices and trainees were predominantly aged 19 and under, and male. There was considerable variation in growth in commencements with increases in commencements of persons aged 45 and over and of males. As well, there were commencement increases in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales with decreases in commencements in the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

The figures used in this publication are estimated figures calculated by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) based on the reported data for the June quarter 2005. Show less

The outcomes of a special Eurobarometer survey, carried out in spring 2005, provided for the first time an insight into attitudes and opinions of citizens in the new Member States towards lifelong learning. The present report provides a detailed analysis of this survey. Taking into account the results of an analogous survey in the EU-15 in 2003, the authors try to capture major differences or possibly coherences in the perceptions, needs, motivations and preferences of citizens in the new and old Member States. The results of the 2005 Eurobarometer survey on lifelong learning show that new Member States' citizens are highly conscious about the importance of learning a lifetime, for both economic and social reasons. Results provide evidence that EU policies on lifelong learning gained a foothold in the new Member States. However, details of the analysis reveal the potential for further targeted policy intervention and measures.

Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

This Cedefop-Lifelong Learning Platform joint briefing paper aims to inform European institutions as well as national policy and decision makers on the issue of [an] integrated and holistic approach to lifelong learning. It also provides the context at a high level and share a few recommendations on ways to establish lifelong learning systems at local, regional and national level.

Excerpt from publisher's website. Show less

This publication provides financial data for vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. It includes information on revenues and expenses, assets and liabilities, and cash flows for the 2000 calendar year. Comparisons with 1999 data have been made where possible. Figures are given for the whole of Australia, the individual States and Territories, and for the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA). This financial information is a primary source about how VET in Australia is financed and where the money is spent. The information presented has been extracted from the accrual-based statements prepared by the States, Territories and ANTA on their VET activity.

Related publications are: Australian vocational education and training statistics 2000: in detail (TD/TNC 66.17) and Australian vocational education and training statistics 2000: at a glance (TD/TNC 66.18). Show less

The knowledge, skills and competences Europe needs to compete successfully in a global labour market is a major question on the European Union policy agenda. It is a question directly relevant to European citizens who want to know which knowledge, skills and competences will help them find or keep a job. Acknowledging the challenge, the 2007 Council Resolution 'New skills for new jobs' stressed the need to anticipate the skill needs - and skill gaps - emerging in the European labour market. In the short term, information on emerging skills needs is crucial, especially as several sectors already face skill shortages. The 2008 Spring European Council called for a comprehensive assessment of skill requirements in Europe up to the year 2020. This request has also been taken up in the June 2008 Council conclusions 'Anticipating and matching labour market needs, with special emphasis on youth - a jobs and skills initiative'. Information on skill needs at national level is no longer enough. A European labour market requires European-level information. Through its analysis of skills needs at European level, Cedefop took the initiative to help fill this knowledge gap. Cedefop's analysis, carried out in 2007, provides a consistent and comprehensive medium-term forecast of employment and skill needs across Europe and has made a major contribution to identifying labour market trends. To complement the information, in 2009, Cedefop will publish a skill supply forecast analysing possible future labour market imbalances. Cedefop intends to produce demand and supply forecasts regularly to help make skill needs in Europe more transparent. Cedefop's original analysis covered 2006-15. This booklet extends its forecast on skill needs in Europe to 2020. The forecast covers 25 EU Member States plus Norway and Switzerland. It analyses skill needs by broad sectors, occupational groups and broad qualifications levels and discusses possible policy implications. It is hoped this text will support not only policy-makers and researchers working on skill needs, but also social-partners and practitioners.

Published foreword reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Generic skills are taking on increased importance in Australia and internationally. This publication explains why there is such an interest in generic skills and describes how they have been defined and addressed in educational programs in Australia. It also compares the different definitions and interpretations of generic skills in the UK, the USA and Canada. Findings include: that there is a high demand for generic skills in the workplace; that generic skills apply across a variety of jobs and life contexts; that there is no one definitive list of generic skills; that each sector of education has a role to play in helping people develop their generic skills; that a collaborative cross-sectoral approach to facilitating development of generic skills is being developed in Australia; and that the implementation of generic skills is increasingly being seen as a teaching and learning issue.

A companion publication, ‘Fostering generic skills in VET programs and workplaces: at a glance’, may be found at TD/TNC 75.09. Show less

This publication provides information on persons undertaking vocational training through contract of training arrangements. It includes all those employed under contracts of training and includes apprentices, Australian Traineeship System trainees and other relevant forms of employment-based training. The data provided was collected from State and Territory training authorities, and the four volumes cover the period 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1996. The four volumes are: (1) 1995/96 quarter 1: 1 July to 30 September 1995; (2) 1995/96 quarter 2: 1 October to 31 December 1995; (3) 1995/96 quarter 3: 1 January to 31 March 1996; and (4) 1995/96 quarter 4: 1 April to 30 June 1996. Show less

The aim of the ADAPT community initiative was to help the workforce adapt to industrial change and to promote growth, employment and the competitiveness of companies in the European Union. This report, aimed at contributing to the current debate on lifelong learning in Europe, was commissioned by CEDEFOP at the end of the initiative to analyse those projects which illustrated good practice in lifelong learning. The focus of the report is on the key findings of ADAPT projects on workplace-oriented learning and learning networks. Suggestions are made based on project results and structured around the key messages of the European Commission’s ‘Memorandum on lifelong learning’ (indexed at TD/IRD 88.400). The chapters are: Introduction; New basic skills for all; More investment in human resources; Innovation in teaching and learning; Value learning; Rethinking guidance and counselling; Bringing learning closer to home; Learning networks; Lifelong learning, innovations from ADAPT. Show less

The Australian government recognises that a strong Australian Apprenticeship system is essential to sustain a strong economy. Accordingly, an Expert Panel was appointed to provide recommendations to the government on possible ways to reform the system to ensure that it can meet Australia's skills needs into the 21st century. The panel examined apprenticeship training arrangements, including current incentives, and suggested principles and evidence to improve outcomes for both apprentices and industry. The work of the panel was underpinned by a study on related economic costs and benefits, including research undertaken by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). This report is the first of four prepared by NCVER for the panel and it is intended to provide a background to the other reports which focus on specific aspects of the apprenticeship and traineeship system. The report is structured around four individual papers. The first is a history of apprenticeship and traineeship in Australia. This is followed by a characterisation of apprentices and trainees - apprentices and trainees of today cover a much broader span of individuals than the common perception of an apprentice being a young man in blue overalls. While not strictly part of an apprenticeship or traineeship, prevocational training exists as a pathway into an apprenticeship or traineeship rather than for its own sake. It thus makes sense to consider them alongside the apprenticeship and traineeship system, which is what is done in the third paper. The report concludes with some estimates of the cost of the system to the government. Show less