A crucial step has been made towards documenting the experiences and needs of those who teach and learn in vocational education and training (VET) and initial VET (IVET) throughout Europe, which would become a valuable tool in the hands of policy-makers aiming at high-quality evidence-based policies in the field.
During Cedefop's third Policy learning forum (PLF), titled 'Assessing the feasibility of a pan-European survey of VET teachers and trainers', which took place online on 22 and 23 November, around 80 participants reviewed the findings of the feasibility study that started in 2021 and discussed different scenarios about upscaling the survey in IVET to all European Union countries, Norway and Iceland.
Participants included representatives from ministries, European sectoral social partners for education, the European Commission (EC), national social partners, OBESSU, the European Parents’ Association and European Associations of VET providers as well as school principals from the pilot countries: Austria, Croatia, Greece, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Spain.
A key aim of the feasibility study was to test the methodology of a pan-European survey by recording the difficulties faced and lessons learned and also pointing to a better understanding of the conditions that need to be in place for a successful upscaling of the survey.
Understanding the challenges ahead
Welcoming participants, Cedefop Executive Director Jürgen Siebel noted that the findings of this European survey can help teachers, learners and policy-makers to understand the challenges that lie ahead for VET and IVET, while Antonio Ranieri, Head of the Agency's department for VET and skills acknowledged the great support in carrying out this study of the advisory group set up by Cedefop and composed of ministry representatives from the pilot countries and European sectoral social partners for education.
Cedefop expert Irene Psifidou, coordinator of the Agency's work in this project, presented the key findings of the feasibility study, along with research and policy analysis centre PPMI's Gerda Burneikaite and Ockham IPS' Director Simon Broek. She noted that the European survey that Cedefop wishes to launch is unique in its nature, as it will reveal how well teachers, trainers and principals feel they are prepared for their highly demanding professions.
A detailed presentation of the conditions for a future EU-wide survey sparked lively debate on the methodology, scope and the key incentives to motivate the participation of schools and trainers.
Cedefop Deputy Director Mara Brugia highlighted the added value of the EU survey:
'Existing statistics and surveys at national level in IVET are often not systematic and, in any case, do not offer comparable data across Europe. At the same time, existing international surveys do not offer a specific focus on VET. This planned survey may allow us to monitor the access, the quality and effectiveness of continuing professional development for teachers and trainers in participating countries.'
News details
Downloads
Feasibility study for surveying principals, teachers, learners and in-company trainers in initial VET - findings
