Agenda
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Fifth Policy learning forum (PLF) on upskilling pathways: a vision for the future
In February 2024, Cedefop and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised the fifth Policy Learning Forum on upskilling pathways: a vision for the future. The event took place at EESC premises in Brussels, on 06/02/2024 (09.30–17.00 CET) and on 07/02/2024 (09.00–13.00 CET).  

In February 2024, Cedefop and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised the fifth Policy Learning Forum on upskilling pathways: a vision for the future.

The event took place at EESC premises in Brussels, on 06/02/2024 (09.30–17.00 CET) and on 07/02/2024 (09.00–13.00 CET).  

Policy Learning Fora (PLF) on upskilling pathways are a series of policy learning events on the topic aimed at providing a platform for countries to come together to learn from one another and explore common challenges in upskilling adults.

The Fifth Policy Learning Forum (PLF) on upskilling pathways is aimed at discussing support to lifelong upskilling pathways for all adults, also by exploring and discussing findings from Cedefop Thematic Country Reviews on Upskilling Pathways.

cedefop learning outcomes
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Making learning progression a reality - Learners in the spotlight
The workshop offered a platform for policymakers, stakeholders, experts, and researchers to engage in discussions and reflections on the interim findings of the Transparency and transferability of learning outcomes project (2021-2025), contributing to its ongoing developments. The event provided an opportunity to reflect o...

The workshop offered a platform for policymakers, stakeholders, experts, and researchers to engage in discussions and reflections on the interim findings of the Transparency and transferability of learning outcomes project (2021-2025), contributing to its ongoing developments. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the transparency, transferability and recognition of skills and qualifications over the past two decades, while reflecting on persisting obstacles that continue to exist for individuals.

 

Over the last two decades, significant efforts have been undertaken both at the European and national levels to promote a transition towards more flexible and open education and training systems, fostering lifelong learning and mobility of individuals.

These initiatives frequently revolve around the use of learning outcomes as a key principle for shaping education and training and for valuing learning taking place outside formal learning settings. Numerous policy tools and initiatives have aimed to enhance the transparency of systems and qualifications to facilitate transferability of learning outcomes across institutions, systems and countries, which has been addressed also through initiatives promoting cross-border recognition of qualifications.

Building upon the previous workshop of the Transparency and transferability of learning outcomes project, this second workshop aimed to foster a discussion about which policy tools and initiatives have supported individual citizens in entering, re-entering and combining education, training and learning, exploring the extent of synergies between these tools and initiatives and areas needing improvement. A central focus of the project is to analyse changes in individuals' circumstances from 2000 to 2020. The workshop was an opportunity to discuss and identify removed or reduced barriers as well as persistent and emerging obstacles to smooth transparency, recognition, and transferability of skills and qualifications within and across countries. Discussions also served to shape the last part of the project which will develop set of alternative policy scenarios towards 2040 pointing to alternative policy choices and their implications on lifelong and life-wide learning.

The event gathered policymakers, researchers, experts, and stakeholders involved in developing and implementing European and national policy tools and initiatives supporting transparency, transferability and the recognition of skills and qualifications.

Participation was by invitation only.  

 

Programme (CET time)

9.15-9.30 Online access - technical tests
9.30-9.45

Welcome and introduction

  • Loukas Zahilas, Head of department for VET and qualifications (DVQ), Cedefop

Opening address

  • Jürgen Siebel, Executive Director, Cedefop

9.45-10.15

Chair: Loukas Zahilas, Head of department, Cedefop

Keynote speech

Transparency and transferability of learning outcomes: a 20-year journey  

  • Zelda Azzarà, Expert, Cedefop
  • Iraklis Pliakis, Expert, Cedefop

10.15-11.15

Chair and moderator: Carita Blomqvist, Expert, Cedefop

Panel discussion

Transparency and transferability of learning outcomes: past achievements, current obstacles and way forward

  • Koen Nomden, Team leader, DG EMPL, European Commission –
  • Eduard Staudecker, Head of department, Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research
  • Brikena Xhomaqi, Director, Lifelong Learning Platform
  • Lauri Tuomi, Executive board member of the European Association for the Education of adults (EAEA) Executive board and CEO of the Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation (KVS)

11.15-11.20

 SLIDO
11.20-11.40 Coffee break
11.40-11.55

Chair: Zelda Azzarà, Expert, Cedefop

Ongoing work: changes for citizens in 2000-20 and future policy scenarios 

  • Kari Hadjivassiliou, Project leader, Tavistock Institut gGmbH
11.55-13.05

Parallel breakout sessions

Session 1: European policy initiatives on transparency and transferability of learning outcomes: synergies, success and future pathways
Moderator: Zelda Azzarà, Expert, Cedefop

  • Presentation: Giorgia Iacopini, Research team leader, Tavistock Institut gGmbH

Rapporteur: Maya Ivanova, Policy Officer, European Commission

Questions for discussion

  • To what extent have EU policies on transparency and transferability of learning outcomes been working in synergy? Which initiatives can be considered as successful and why?
  • Reflecting on past experiences, what fundamental lessons should guide and shape future policy choices? Which aspects and areas would require improvement or further cooperation to support lifelong and life-wide learning?
11.55-13.05

Session 2: Past and present barriers to lifelong and life-wide learning 

Moderator: Iraklis Pliakis, Expert, Cedefop

  • Presentation: Manuela Samek Lodovici, Research team leader, Istituto per la Ricerca Sociale

Rapporteur: Ernesto Villalba Garcia, Expert, Cedefop

Questions for discussion

  • Over the past 20 years, which barriers to lifelong and life-wide learning have European and national policy initiatives reduced, from a transparency of systems and transferability of learning outcomes perspective? Which policy initiatives have contributed the most?
  • Which barriers persist or have emerged? What aspects would need further attention in the future?
11.55-13.05

Session 3: Exploring past and present trends and their influence on future policy developments on lifelong learning

Moderator: Anastasia Pouliou, Expert, Cedefop

  • Presentation: Thomas Spielhofer, Research Team Leader, Tavistock Institut gGmbH

Rapporteur: Nicola Stokes, Deputy project leader, Tavistock Institut gGmbH

Questions for discussion

  • Reflecting on the past two decades and the current landscape at European level, what have been the prevailing trends and priorities in supporting lifelong learning? How might these past trends influence and shape future European policies on lifelong learning?
  • Reflecting on the past two decades and the current landscape at national level, what have been the prevailing trends and priorities in supporting lifelong learning? How might these past trends influence and shape future national developments on lifelong learning?
13.05-13.20

Chair: Zelda Azzarà, Expert, Cedefop

Report back from breakout sessions

Speakers: rapporteurs from breakout sessions
13.20-13.30

Concluding remarks and work ahead

  • Zelda Azzarà, Expert, Cedefop
  • Loukas Zahilas, Head of Department, Cedefop

 

refernet
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21st ReferNet annual plenary meeting

The new ReferNet partners and national representatives were invited to attend the 21st annual plenary meeting of the network, which was the first annual meeting taking place under the new 2024-27 Framework Partnership Agreement.  

The aim of the meeting was to:

  • inform on the latest EU VET policy developments, the outcomes of the 2023 work plan and the preparation of the 2024 work plan;
  • introduce the new partners to the processes and procedures of the network;
  • reinstall a physical network dynamic of cooperation and shared reflection by convening in a physical open space, which will encourage creative reflection on how partners would like ReferNet to develop in the new 2024-27 period.
visual VGT8
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Roadmapping the skills revolution

Skills intelligence is a key enabler of decision making on skills and jobs for individuals, organisations, cities, regions, and countries. But what does it take to make skills intelligence relevant and efficient, and how can it best support decision-makers?

Building on over a decade of experience in developing and disseminating skills and labour market analysis, Cedefop presented its improved skills intelligence tool, which brings together various strands of the Agency’s analytical and research work. With this skills intelligence tool Cedefop aims to provide better and more synthetic evidence on current and future skill and labour market trends, using narrative-driven visualisations and concise thematic articles.

In this virtual get-together, Cedefop invited key stakeholders and users of skills intelligence to discuss the opportunities for moving skills intelligence forward, and reflect on challenges in analysing, providing, and using skills and labour market data and qualitative information.

Video recording

The video recording of the event can be watched from here.
(By following the link, the YouTube privacy policy and cookies will apply)

 

Agenda

Times are indicated in CET.

11.00–11.05 Welcome and introduction by Jasper van Loo, Department Coordinator at Cedefop
11.05–11.30 Making skills intelligence actionable
Stelina Chatzichristou and Jiri Branka, Cedefop experts
11.30–11.40

Questions & Answers
11.40–12.20

Panel discussion moderated by Stelina Chatzichristou and Ernesto Villalba-Garcia, Cedefop experts

Skills intelligence from the users' perspective

  • Julie Beaufils, Secretary General of EuropeOn 
  • Diana Marcello, Senior Policy Advisor for Skills, Unioncamere Europa
  • Jaana Kettunen, The Finnish Institute for Educational Research
  • Peter C. Weber, University of Applied Labour Studies
12.20–12.30

Final remarks and wrap-up

    Speakers

    photo Julie BeaufilsJulie Beaufils is the Secretary General of EuropeOn, the European electrical contractors’ association since 2020. Founded in 1954, EuropeOn is the voice of the professionals who “switch Europe ON” by operating electrical systems in buildings and infrastructures, including rooftop solar panels, energy management systems and electric vehicles’ charging points. Julie is also in charge of the Skills4Climate campaign, raising awareness on the shortages in skilled professionals and the need to fiercely promote technical education, an issue that will considerably weigh on Europe’s ability to deliver the energy transition. EuropeOn is currently chairing the Electrification Alliance network.

    Jiri Branka is a Cedefop expert in the Department for VET and Skills. He leads the Skills Intelligence project and works on connecting of outcomes of various Cedefop's projects in the agency's skills intelligence products and visualizations.  

    His prior working experience includes an assessment of labour market outcomes of skill recognition systems for the ILO and during the past 15 years, he has been involved in many projects focusing on skills and labour market analysis across Europe.

    Stelina Chatzichristou is an expert in the Department for VET and skills at Cedefop, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training.

    She is leading Cedefop’s research on jobs, skills and vocational education and training (VET) for the green transition and sectoral skills developments.

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    Stelina coordinates the skills intelligence and foresight team, and contributes to the Centre’s research on skills anticipation and skills governance.

    Before joining Cedefop, Stelina worked for almost a decade as a researcher and policy analyst in the private sector. In that capacity, she has worked on and managed projects on national and EU comparative analysis on VET, skills and entrepreneurship.

    photo Jaana Kettunen resizedJaana Kettunen is Professor of lifelong guidance at the Finnish Institute for Educational Research (FIER) of the University of Jyväskylä. Currently, she is the President of the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG). She is a nominated national expert for Cedefop´s CareersNet network of independent experts, and member of its Advisory group.

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    Her research that has a strong international orientation revolves around career guidance practice and public policy development with a special interest on the design and use or existing and emerging technologies in career guidance. She has actively contributed to development of evidence-based training in the field. Her involvement extends to various projects focusing on skills systems.

    photo Diana MarcelloDiana Marcello is Senior Policy Advisor for Skills at Unioncamere Europa.

    She has participated in various activities of the Italian Chambers of commerce's network related to VET, green and digital skills, entrepreneurship and sustainability through initiatives and projects at national and European level. She is member of the Skills Committee at Eurochambres, the European Chambers's association representing the voice for the broad business community at EU level.

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    In recent years she has been focussing on skills and sustainability for the Tourism ecosystem, fostering participation of Unioncamere and the Italian Chambers, to initiatives related to the Pact for skills and as a member of the Commission's Expert Group "Together for Tourism" (T4T) and promoting activities of the Italian chambers' network Mirabilia.

    Jasper Van Loo is coordinator of Cedefop’s department for VET and Skills.

    He currently coordinates the labour market and skills analysis work of the agency. He is also part of the team investigating EU skills trends using online job vacancies.

    He has a master degree in quantitative and general economics and holds a Ph.d. in social sciences.

    Ernesto Villalba-Garcia has worked at Cedefop since 2011.

    He is currently responsible for Cedefop’s work on validation of non-formal and informal learning.

    He has worked, together with the Commission, on the monitoring, implementation and evaluation of the 2012 Council Recommendation on validation, as well as on several updates of the European inventory of validation and the European guidelines.

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    Ernesto has served in different committees and working groups of the European Commission, the OECD, and UNESCO. He holds a PhD in International and comparative education from Stockholm University and is on the editorial board of the European Journal of Education.

    Peter C. Weber, since 2016 Professor for Career Guidance & Counselling at University of Applied Labour Studies Mannheim. Research in Career Guidance/Counselling.

    Topics of interest are Lifelong Guidance, Knowledge & Competence of Counsellors, Information in Counselling Processes, HRD and Career Counselling, Digitalization in the field of Guidance, Service and Policy development in Germany and Europe. 2004-2016 Researcher and assistant professor at Heidelberg University.

    View more

    Member of the Board of IAEVG, Cedefop CareersNet core expert-member for Germany, and member of “National Fora for Career Guidance, nfb” (Germany)

     

    NQFs
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    Building the European map of qualifications – Latest NQF developments
    The workshop offered a platform for policy-makers, stakeholders, experts, and researchers to engage in discussions on the latest NQF developments and trends across countries participating in the EQF process. Cedefop presented the key findings of its policy brief ‘Building the European map of qualifications’, aiming to coll...

    The workshop offered a platform for policy-makers, stakeholders, experts, and researchers to engage in discussions on the latest NQF developments and trends across countries participating in the EQF process. Cedefop presented the key findings of its policy brief ‘Building the European map of qualifications’, aiming to collect reflections and ideas on the upcoming 2024 update of the European inventory of NQFs. The event was an opportunity to exchange views on the progress made in the EQF process over the past 2 years, and discuss success factors, persisting challenges and future priorities.

    The European qualifications framework (EQF) was adopted in 2008 and revised in 2017. It has significantly contributed to increasing transparency, comparability and portability of qualifications across Europe. It has also triggered the development of learning-outcomes-based national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) in most of the 41 countries participating in the EQF process. Countries are working towards improving the way NQFs are included as main features of education and training policies, and increasing their awareness and use. Countries have reported considerable progress in opening up frameworks to qualifications awarded outside formal education and training. According to them, NQFs most often have a positive impact on promoting transparency of qualifications and the use of learning outcomes.  

    This event triggered an overall discussion on both the significant progress that has been made in the EQF process so far, and the future priorities, based on the experiences of national-level developments. Key topics addressed reflected the increasing use of NQFs by citizens, the development of inclusive frameworks, and ways to capture the NQF impact. The workshop adopted a visionary and global-oriented perspective, looking ahead to the future.

    The event engaged policy-makers, researchers, experts, and stakeholders involved in developing and implementing regional and national qualifications frameworks.

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