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The working group of the VET Innovation Council, Vocational training development in the Carpathian Basin, mapped future opportunities. The working group carried out the mapping between 2021-22. At its November 2022 meeting, the VET Innovation Council adopted the findings and proposals of the working group. The department responsible for VET development of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation has already started to elaborate the concept for the development of vocational training in...

Creating a unified tertiary system is one of the strategic priorities of the National FET strategy 2020-24. Key stakeholders, DES, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), SOLAS (the national authority for FET), Higher Education Authority (HEA), Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) and the Irish Universities Association (IUA) agreed on an action plan to work towards a more strategic and consistent transitions approach to FET and...

The National FET Strategy defined that CotFs should have the following characteristics:

1. consolidation: CotFs are single integrated colleges;
2. dual outcome focus: the offer of courses designed to facilitate immediate entry to careers and employment and those that link directly to further study in HE, epxloring opportunities for co-delivery with HE institutions;
3. access pathways: supporting a learning pathway from a network of FET providers offering Level 1 to 4 provision;
4. consistent...

Ireland’s Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-25 was launched in 2021 by the Ministers for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Minister of State for Skills and Further Education. The plan aims to expand the types of programmes available and increase the number of apprenticeships to 10 000 per year by 2025. The plan is to ensure equity of access by creating simplified routes to entry, and improved flexibility within the system so that underrepresented groups...

The policy roadmap ‘Green Skills for FET 2021-30’ sets a strategic direction for green skills initiatives throughout the Irish FET sector and points to key areas for the FET Sector in the transition to a green economy. The policy incorporates the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), the Green skills action plan and responds to some other national policies and legislation, e.g. Skills for zero carbon (2021), Future Jobs Irelans (2019) and the Action plan for apprenticeships 2021-25....

The external review is conducted by review teams. National and international external reviewers are selected for their expertise in one or more specific areas, providing perspectives from education and training, quality assurance, learner voice, community and industry. SOLAS and the Adult Learning Association (AONTAS) provide support to the review teams.

The external review examines the following aspects:

Governance and management of quality

The review evaluates the comprehensive...

The Modernisation of VET project is currently being implemented for the period 2022-26 by the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for VET (CPI) in cooperation with other public institutions and social partners. It has five components.

Competences and qualifications for the digital and green transitions

The project, in the dialogue with social partners, defines a new development period for VET in Slovenia in the direction of greater connection with the labour market, the needs of the...

The SkillsPoland competition consists of:

1. development of organisational and substantive assumptions for the PolSkills competition at the regional and national level;
2. conducting study visits as part of professional competitions in other countries;
3. implementation of a promotional campaign for SkillsPoland competitions;
4. conducting regional eliminators for competitions in 30 sectors;
5. organising of three nationwide SkillsPoland competitions in 30 sectors;
6. participation of representatives...

The main objective of the activities of the combined National Europass and Euroguidance Centre is to implement Decision (EU) 2018/646 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 April 2018 on a common framework aimed at providing better quality services in skills and qualifications (Europass). The National Europass Centre (NEC) deals with coordinating the issuance of Europass documents and promoting the Europass initiative, in particular for career counselling and information...

In Poland, the activities of the EPALE platform are the responsibility of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System, commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Science.

The European EPALE platform has been operating since October 2014. From the beginning, it has been available in the Polish language. The current contract for the implementation of the project by the EPALE national office covers the period from April 2022 to the end of 2024.

In 2021, the Foundation for the Development of the Education System began providing organisational services to the Team of Experts for Vocational Education and Training (EVET) nominated by the Ministry of Education and Science. The Action Plan of the Team of Experts is an integral part of the Erasmus+ Work Plan.

The objectives are implemented through organising consultations, seminars, conferences, workshops, training sessions, lectures, debates, study visits and analytical work, as well as...

Sectoral skills centres (branżowe centra umiejętności) are to be technologically advanced education, training and examination centres in a given industry.

This initiative comprises the following main activities:

1. announcement by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE) of a competition for the establishment and support for the operation of 120 sectoral skills centres implementing the concept of centres of vocational excellence (CoVEs);
2. construction of a new...

As a result of the armed conflict in Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science issued six regulations in response to the need to provide adequate education and care for Ukrainian children and young people migrating to Poland.

The regulations allowed:

1. the head of a unit of the education system in the area of selected districts (poviats) of the eastern border to suspend all or individual classes (with the consent of the body managing the unit and the body exercising pedagogical...

The strategy update was coordinated by the ministry responsible for family, labour and social security. The final version of the document was adopted in 2019. The strategy is implemented by 15 different institutions, including the ministries responsible for education, digitalisation, labour, health or justice. 

The implementation of the strategy goals includes strategic projects outlined in the Strategy for responsible development, and supplementary projects grouped in two areas: social...

The action plan includes the following five specific measures:

1. implementing the integrated skills strategy through the development of professional skills in formal and non-formal education, including skills related to green and digital transitions;
2. provision and professional development of staff for the VET system;
3. the development of career guidance and promotion of VET;
4. implementation of innovative and durable mechanisms of cooperation at national and international levels in VET,...

The contractor, in the context of the implementation of the contract, is expected to examine various factors and, more specifically, to produce:

1. a study on the relation of study programmes to labour market needs: existing specialisations are to be assessed in terms of their relevance to the labour market. The contractor should also produce an analysis on the employability rates of MIEEK graduates;
2. an evaluation report on the adequacy of the curriculum (and the overall teaching design)...

The System of vocational qualifications (SVQ) is based on Vocational qualification standards (VQS) developed by the Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (HRDA) with the assistance of vocational qualifications technical committees. The SVQ assesses in real or simulated working conditions the ability of a person to carry out specific tasks according to a VQS. At the same time, the SVQ sets out the framework for the design and development of training activities to prepare the...

MIEEK offer programmes of study that cover growing sectors of the economy, aiming to meet the high demand in the labour market for modern occupations. Therefore, there is a great need for cooperation with instructors from industry with knowledge of specific subjects compatible with the requirements of each sector: there are subjects relevant to the study programmes, Culinary arts, Maritime studies, Computer and communication networks, Electrical installations, and Organic crops. To provide...

The system for the assessment and accreditation of training providers has been in place since 2016. The aim of the system is to assess natural and legal persons involved in the organisation and implementation of training activities or/and in the provision of infrastructure (e.g. facilities, equipment) for their implementation. The accreditation is compulsory for those who want to cooperate with the HRDA for the implementation of training activities. The system concerns vocational training...

HRDA implements the following activities/schemes:

Scheme for the employment and training of tertiary education graduates

The scheme supports the enhancement of productivity and economic competitiveness of companies and organisations by providing incentives to them to employ and train young tertiary education graduates. At the same time, it helps to ensure the smooth integration of these graduates into suitable job positions. More precisely, the scheme provides incentives to companies to...

Within the framework of the Education of the economy initiative of the Austrian Economic Chamber, various activities and measures have been implemented since 2018, partly in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, to advance digitisation in apprenticeship training both in terms of content and administration.

This includes increased consideration of digitalisation in content-related modernisation and new establishment of apprenticeship occupations, support of in-company training and...

Eight priority areas were identified in relation to the achievement of the objectives, five of which explicitly target VET, two target lifelong learning in parallel with VET ((f) and (h)) and one targets interlinking general education and VET (e):

1. centres of excellence in VET;
2. in-company training centres;
3. higher VET transformation;
4. quality assurance in IVET and CVET;
5. prevention of early school leaving;
6. basic skills;
7. individual learning accounts;
8. a new system of lifelong learning...

Developing WBL and practical training includes the following measures:

1. VET and higher education development programme PRÕM+, empowering professional associations and enterprises to provide WBL and apprenticeships and expand WBL;
2. quality assurance of WBL and practical training.

In order to develop the competences of teachers, trainers and heads of school, the following measures are foreseen:

1. building the capacity of schools to develop the content of VET, including curriculum development and in-service training for vocational teachers;
2. pedagogical-methodological in-service training courses (including special pedagogy and andragogy) for VET teachers, in-service training in digital pedagogy for vocational teachers;
3. field-related training for vocational teachers,...

This development exemplifies the fourth and fifth objectives of the 2022-24 Strategic plan for vocational education and training , lifelong learning and youth and is also part of the Greek National implementation plan for VET recommendation and Osnabrück declaration. It contains the main actions/activities comprising the digital transformation and modernisation of infrastructure and equipment.

Development of a digital platform for VET

The digital platform for VET is expected gradually to...

The development of the transferable credit system includes methodology for granting transferable credits for the professional training of adults including categories of skills to be considered for certification of competences: key, technical and occupation-related. It facilitates mobility and complies with the general provisions regarding competences acquired in education and training, including adult training.

Educated Romania underlines the commitment to adjusting the education system to current and emerging challenges. Education and skills-related measures and actions are to be implemented with the support of State budget and EU funds. The strategy foresees adopting a legislative package ensuring implementation of the vision and goals.

The National Centre for TVET Development, responsible for the organisation and implementation of IVET, contributes to the implementation of the goals set at...

The subject of bilateral VET cooperation is usually the intentions of a partner country to reform its VET system. Project funding in international VET cooperation serves to make expert knowledge and implementation competences from Germany available to the partner countries. Examples of good practice are developed and tested on various VET topics and can stimulate reforms in the partner countries. Pilot projects are funded by BMBF, which regularly publishes relevant funding guidelines to...

On 30 October 2020, the lifelong learning partnership was established, to stimulate the participation in lifelong learning through working out a joint approach across sectors and policy areas. This partnership is composed of representatives from the Socio-Economic Council of Flanders (SERV), education and training providers, the private training providers, the Lifelong Learning Committee of the Flemish Education Council (VLOR) and a higher education expert from the Vlerick business school.

With the Excellence Initiative for VET policy projects are combined into an overarching agenda. Individual activities will be launched successively during 2022 to 2026. Over EUR 750 million have been earmarked for this purpose.

In order to give new impetus to VET, the Excellence Initiative focuses on three central fields of action.

Improving individual opportunity support for talents in VET, to ensure that skilled workers and young people can develop their potential in the best possible...

The government is investing in the development of a skills-oriented labour market. This entails describing the required knowledge, skills and behaviours for the performance of activities in terms of skills: a common skills language, called CompetentNL, is being developed for this purpose. CompetentNL is an online skills dictionary in which all possible skills are categorised and described and which is linked to the complete and continuously updated VET qualification structure. CompetentNL...

There are different kinds of initiatives and events to promote and disseminate VET:

Professional Education and Training Campaigns (Campanha de Educação  e Formação)

The campaign targets young people who are in the ninth grade (13-15 years old) when taking an informed and well-guided choice is of the utmost importance. Civil society, and particularly parents and guardians of young people in the third cycle of basic education are also target groups. It will promote vocational education...

WorldSkills and EuroSkills are aimed at all young people aged between 17 and 25 who have completed or are attending a qualification programme in vocational education and training. They aim to demonstrate the individual level of skills, rigour and mastery of techniques and tools for the exercise of each profession in the competition, through practical performance tests evaluated according to demanding criteria and in accordance with internationally established technical prescriptions by...

The ESF project Support for reducing early school leaving (PUMPURS) aims at reducing the number of learners leaving education and training early. The project promotes the creation of a sustainable cooperation system between the municipality, educational institutions, educators, support staff and parents or representatives of the learners, in order to identify learners at risk of interrupting their studies and provide them with personalised support.

Educators are given the opportunity to...

More digital employment 2025 is a scheme providing free digital training for workers, managers and directors of companies, entities of the social economy and trainers. The training includes an initial and final diagnosis of digital skills, in line with the dynamic reference framework for digital competence (DCRF) proficiency levels, through the Portugal Digital Academy platform. If the training is completed, a certificate is issued. The training is developed in, and managed by, IEFP in close...

The programme for 2017-19 was established by Resolution 108/2017 of the Council of Ministers of 19 July 2017. According to the programme evaluation, performed by the Educational Research Institute, positive results for both pupils and teachers were observed. Teaching aids and equipment purchased in the programme are fully used in the schools. However, primary and secondary schools still suffer from a shortage of modern ICT equipment. The evaluation results also recommended the extension of...

Changes to the pedagogical supervision and control of schools, including VET, have been introduced by the draft Act amending the Education Law, the Act on the Education System and other acts, and the regulation of the Minister for Education and Science of 1 September 2021 amending the regulation on pedagogical supervision.

The draft Act introduces changes in the following areas by:

1. strengthening the role of pedagogical supervision (regional education authorities);
2. strengthening the...

The policy document describes actions and goals in the short, mid and long-term perspective that will serve the development of Polish society, economy and science in the area of artificial intelligence (AI). It is organised into 6 policy areas, one of which is education, including VET. The actions in this area will include updating curricula and supplementing teaching programmes with AI information and solutions, increasing access to education tools (including online tools) for AI and...

The programme includes the creation of a motivation system for talented pupils and students to develop their competences, and a system for non-formal advanced digital competence building. This will be achieved by organising intensive education trips, team contests, teacher support and motivational actions. It will be implemented through two thematic pathways: championships in algorithmics and programming and championships in computer game development.

Teachers of the teams participating in...

The National strategy for regional development 2030 (NSRD) was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 17 September 2019. One of the objectives of the strategy is the development of human and social capital in the following subareas: vocational and higher education, continuing education, labour market and social capital. The strategy outlines several initiatives in these areas:

1. establishing mechanisms to encourage universities to cooperate with entrepreneurs;
2. increasing entrepreneurs’...

The six strategic objectives of the plan are further analysed into sub-objectives that serve the effective implementation of the strategy.

More specifically, the implementation of the first strategic objective, Development and strengthening of VET and LLL with emphasis on quality assurance, is achieved through the following sub-objectives:

1. increasing the attractiveness of VET through the creation of new opportunities;
2. design of VET and LLL programmes and their quality assurance;
3.  ...

LLCS 2030 focuses on four thematic areas: qualification system; basic skills and civic education; lifelong learning and counselling, and motivation of citizens for lifelong learning; and building a system of skills management and identification of lifelong learning needs. It proposes 51 measures divided into 13 thematic units corresponding to topics in need of urgent intervention:

1. second chance education and ‘F-type programmes’ (ISCED 253) for low achievers in lower secondary general...

The new integrated information technology system includes various subsystems such as an electronic archive, an accounting and human resource system, an internal portal, as well as the digital platform Hermes, covering the operational needs and all services provided by the HRDA using modern information communication technologies (ICT).

The system significantly enhances the utilisation of new information technologies by HRDA and at the same time contributes to promoting the use of ICT and...

Strengthening cooperation between companies, especially SMEs and schools, will be implemented by means of promoting and organising joint events. The strategy also promotes organising of students’ work placements and internships in businesses. There will be shared workshops, shared classrooms and training centres established for the teaching of technical subjects and youth education in respect of Industry 4.0. The strategy supports instructor training by practical training providers...

In order to learn more about motives and expectations, as well as existing obstacles to mobility and potential incentives for mobility abroad, the project Partnership commissioned ibw Austria: Research and development in VET in 2020 to conduct the study 'Foreign mobility in apprenticeship training'. The results were presented at the OeAD on 30 September 2021 and a concrete objective and five action priorities for increasing apprenticeship mobility were derived from it.

The study shows that...

The initiative is funded by the ESF under the operational programme (OP): Human resource development 2014-20, and is implemented through two components.

Component one has been implemented by the labour ministry and component two by the national employer organisations. A unified toolkit has been developed in component 1, including methodologies and requirements for job research and identification of the digital skills required for the development of digital skills profiles in key positions...

The creation of centres of excellence in VET (CeEVETs) is determined by the Lifelong learning and counselling strategy for 2021-30 adopted by the government on 24 November 2021. According to the strategy action plan, a pilot phase of transforming some of the existing centres of VET into CeEVETs should already start in 2022, co-funded from ESIF (specific objective 1.4 ‘Developing skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship’ of Operational programme Slovakia...

The strategy is focused on strengthening and improving Norwegian participation in Erasmus+ and the European Education Area, in order to provide more learners, youths and students, teachers and staff with opportunities for intercultural learning and exchange in Europe. The quality of education and training is to be further developed through international cooperation.

The government also wants more Norwegian interests to be able to cooperate with the best environments in Europe in order to...

The government has decided that Norway will participate in several EU programmes in the period from 2021 to 2027. Some programmes are a continuation of existing cooperation, but the country also plans to join new programmes. The EU's major investments in digitalisation and green priorities are important factors in the programmes Norway has chosen to join.

These priorities are nationally important and affect several areas in the society, as well as vocational education and training.

Norway...

The platform for education on the environment and sustainable development, created following the 2007 National Nature Conservation Plan, enables networking by professionals involved in education on the environment and sustainable development who are now cooperating in relation to the objectives of the 2030 agenda. It is intended for non-governmental organisations, local administrations, and institutions active in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), but also for teachers and trainers...

The VET agreement is to be a common ground of a tripartite understanding, between the government and the social partners, in the following areas of intervention:

1. regulation and governance of the vocational training system (framework and regulation, regulation model and financing sources and quality improvement);
2. further development of the system’s instruments and responsiveness (improve the flexibility of the SNQ, strengthen responses to sectoral needs and dynamics and improve incentives...

Since 2017, the KBU has provided thorough professional assessments of Norway's future competence needs. Three comprehensive reports have ensured the authorities and the labour market, both regionally and nationally, a solid basis for both planning and making informed decisions. As part of the government's competence reform, the committee continues the work until 2027. The competence reforms goal is lifelong learning to ensure work.

The Committee on Skill Needs (KBU):

1. analyse and assesses...

In June 2021, the government gave several national authorities involved in education and employment the mission to develop digital services that provide data about education and the labour market, as well as to establish forms for the management of a coherent data infrastructure for the provision of skills and lifelong learning. These authorities shall jointly investigate the conditions for, and begin work on, developing common concepts or translation keys between existing conceptual...

According to Law 4763/2020, the General Secretariat for VET, LLL and Youth is responsible for designing, implementing, coordinating and monitoring policies in the relevant fields. It is also the supervisory body for the implementation and monitoring of VET and LLL programmes.

In addition, the law set up advisory bodies (including social partners and VET stakeholders) at national and regional level to support VET governance.

Nationally, the main advisory body introduced is the Central...

Regulations addressed to schools, including VET schools, in 2020 and 2021 (until February) mainly concerned the temporary closure of institutions and the easing of the transition to distance learning. More than 23 regulations were issued by the education minister for these purposes.

EU funded projects have been implemented aiming to solve problems resulting from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools, including VET providers. For example, computers and software were delivered to...

The process of designing the National recovery plan was managed by the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy (MFiPR). In February 2021, the document was submitted for public consultation, which influenced its final shape. In May 2021 the plan was officially submitted to the European Commission.

Its main areas of focus are:

1. resilience and competitiveness of the economy;
2. green energy and reducing energy intensity;
3. digital transformation;
4. availability and quality of the health care...

Following its memorandum on e-inclusion, the Government approved the Plan for Digital Appropriation 2021-24 on the 12 February 2021. This plan was proposed by the Digital Inclusion Coordination and drawn up in consultation with stakeholders on the ground.

The implementation is organised in four areas defining 17 projects including 66 actions.

Raising awareness and destigmatising: raising citizens' awareness of digital tools and services, how to use them and on the support or training...

In 2020, the Walloon government adopted an action plan aiming to boost a new dynamic in vocational training, to make it an essential lever in terms of professional integration and economic recovery. The action plan will be part of the recovery plans and programmes adopted by governments as well as the new European skills strategy in favour of sustainable competitiveness, social equity and resilience.

This plan is made up of one structural axis and six distinct operational axes aimed at...

The amendment of this legislation was initiated by employers' representatives based on the experience of the ESF project 'Dual education and increasing attractiveness and quality of VET'. In March 2021, the education ministry submitted a draft amendment to the Act on VET (61/2015) to public discussion, with the proposed entering into force from 1 September 2021.

Within the framework of the European Commission's support for the development of an adapted training offer in the context of the implementation of the Skills enhancement pathways, several stakeholders from the Belgium French speaking community are working together in the framework of the EU programme for employment and social innovation EASI to implement a training strategy for basic digital skills for jobseekers and adult learners with little schooling.

In line with this strategy, The...

In January 2021, the education ministry submitted to public discussion an extensive amendment of the Education act (245/2008), which provoked a heated debate with more than 1 000 comments, of which more than 680 were fundamental. In March 2021, therefore, the revised version was resubmitted for public discussion.

The action plan for the digital transition has three main pillars. Each one comprises three sub-pillars:

1. Capacity building and digital inclusion of people
   1. digital education,
   2. professional training and reskilling,
   3. digital inclusion and literacy,
2. Digital transformation of enterprises
   1. entrepreneurship and investment attraction,
   2. existing companies (with a focus on SMEs),
   3. scientific and technological knowledge transfer to the economy,
3. Digitalisation of the public...

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports focuses on expanding options for students to get practical training in a real work environment with the use of elements of the dual system of VET. Favourable conditions will continue to be created to increase the involvement of experts from practice in teaching and implementation of internships for pedagogical staff in companies. Cooperation with employer representatives will be developed based on the Agreement on the division of responsibilities...

In the framework of the Competence 4.0 project (2019-22; Operational programme Employment, Ministry of Industry and Social Affairs), the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, Czech Chamber of Commerce and the consultancy company TREXIMA jointly participate in mapping new future competences associated with the introduction of Industry 4.0 in the Czech Republic.

Other expected project outputs include:

1. analyses of international studies and labour market trends;
2. methodology of...

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the physical presence of trainers in the classroom or training areas is no longer required, there is no obligation for the training programmes -provided to unemployed or employed individuals- to be carried out at a certified vocational training centre (VTC) or at the premises of the enterprise, while Internet connectivity and ability to use e-learning tools is a precondition for all participants (organiser, trainers, trainees).

For increased flexibility,...

The Catching-up regions initiative, in cooperation with regional authorities, aims to identify challenges and priority areas at regional level to direct investments to. Improving VET programmes in line with labour market needs can foster economic development in regions lagging behind.

The initiative was initially carried out in the Prešov region in 2018. In 2019, a report was published providing specific suggestions on how to improve secondary VET. The cooperation with the Banská Bystrica...

The targets presented in the roadmap and the measures needed to achieve it are based on the state of play in education and research as well as on key factors for changing the education and research environment. Finland's demographic trend is the most significant factor affecting the education system. The birth rate is dropping, age groups are smaller, and people live in growth centres in increasing numbers. The report (roadmap) outlines the guidelines for the future of the Finnish education...

The work plan of the national VET team, to be established in 2021, will focus on:

1. carrying out analysis on the use of EU VET tools in the national context;
2. providing promotional material about EU VET tools (one e-booklet and two newsletters);
3. organising discussions engaging the National Authority and relevant stakeholders on the implementation of EU VET tools in Erasmus+ projects, a monitoring seminar and presentations on the use of EU VET tools in Erasmus+ projects.

In November 2020, the National action plan for entrepreneurship education was presented, the core element of which is the Map of actions for children and young adults in the field of entrepreneurship education.

The plan was developed from a cooperative venture between the Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW), the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) and other ministries, including the Federal Ministry of Labour, Family and Youth (BMAFJ) and the...

VET provision, curricula, examination

In December 2016, the ESF project ‘Development of sectoral qualifications system for vocational education development and quality assurance’ was launched to develop new occupational standards and modular VET programmes for most of professional qualifications (sectoral qualifications).

In 2017, amendments to the Vocational Education Law specified the legal framework for the modularisation of VET programmes. VET modules were included in the State...

Work-based learning approaches have been developed and implemented through a complex of interventions financed by the State budget, European Social fund, Erasmus+ and other EU programmes.

The Erasmus+ project ‘National authorities for apprenticeships: Implementing work-based learning in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia (WBL-Balt), the Baltic alliance for apprenticeships (BAfA)’ was launched in June 2015 to develop and promote conceptual approaches for WBL, as well as ensure exchange of...

Law 4610/2019 reduces the number of examinations in upper secondary VET programmes offered by vocational upper secondary schools (EPAL) by more than 50% (Article 117). It also changes the type and the method of assessment, including the final assessment, of these programmes and of apprenticeship programmes offered by EPAL. According to the respective Ministerial Decrees, in upper secondary VET programmes offered by EPAL schools some subjects are assessed through a written examination (open...

To work towards that goal, the ministry organised a discussion on the subject involving representatives of Lithuanian industry, business and employer associations. Participants were selected with a broad mandate to represent business associations and individual companies, uniting the vast majority of Lithuanian organisations and having knowledge across a wide range of business needs.

Participants in the discussion acknowledged that the assessment and recognition of high-level competences...

International mobility programmes have been suspended and, as of 16 March 2020, the education process continued digitally (remote learning, homework and assessment).

According to the Ministerial Decision of the Minister responsible for VET No SZFHÁT/100762/2020-ITM, published on 10 November 2020, general education (non-vocational) classes and vocational theoretical classes in VET institutions were organised online, as well as those parts of practical training that do not require a physical...

In February 2019, a new agency was established, the Innovative Training Support Centre (Innovatív Képzéstámogató Központ Zrt., IKK). It also works alongside the National Office for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Learning (Nemzeti Szakképzési és Felnőttképzési Hivatal) as a state administrative VET body. The IKK supports the implementation of the provisions of the VET Act of 2019 on innovation, digitalisation and related areas. IKK also implements GINOP (Economic Development and...

The provisions of the Act on National Public Education CXC of 2011 allowed electronic filing and storage of school documents. In 2015, work started on the creation of an electronic management system for Hungarian public schools: the Public education registration and study information system - NEPTUN-KRÉTA (Köznevelési Regisztrációs és Tanulmányi Alaprendszer - NEPTUN-KRÉTA). The new system was piloted in 2016/17 and made compulsory in 2017/18 in all public schools. The Ministerial Decree of...

The government has accepted, by government Decision No 1168/2019. (III.28.), the new strategy mid-term VET policy strategy for the renewal of VET and adult education (AE), the VET system’s answer to the challenges of the fourth Industrial Revolution'.

The VET 4.0 strategy is based on three pillars.

1. Attractive career opportunities for learners: learners must obtain competitive qualifications and knowledge required by the economy, which will provide a sound existence and high income. A...

The national approach to quality assurance was reviewed in 2016 and the outcomes of the review have been published. As a result, the Cabinet of Ministers approved new regulations concerning the procedures for accrediting education institutions, examination centres, general and vocational education programmes and evaluating the professional activity of heads of schools. The revision also supported the increased use of EQAVET indicators, including the collection of data on teachers and...

In 2019, a focus group was established to revise the basic funding for VET programmes in line with actual costs. The Union of Local Governments of Latvia, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Culture participated in the group work.

A new Act on VET was adopted in June 2017 and entered into force in January 2018. The focus of the implementation of this latest reform is on the following elements:

1. a single Act on VET, i.e. VET for young people and adults within the same framework;
2. a single licence to provide education and to award qualifications;
3. flexible application and admission systems;
4. a clearer range of qualifications that better meets the needs of working life;
5. a single competence-based approach to...

As a part of the larger and continuous updating of VET qualifications, which is caused by the changes in working life, the Finnish National Agency for Education is preparing optional competence modules for sustainable development, financial literacy and economic understanding to be included in vocational upper secondary qualification requirements.

In March 2018, the Ministry of Education and Culture set up a working group for the preparation and coordination of the expansion of the national framework for qualifications and other competence modules. The task of the working group was to specify in more detail the criteria specified in the Act on the national framework for qualifications and other competence modules (93/2017) and to formulate a proposal for the required legislative amendments.

The strategic goals included in the Quality strategy are to be put into practice by using development measures. The development measures proposed for each VET actor have been set out for the next 3 years (2020-22). The actors are VET providers, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish National Agency for Education, working life committees and the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre. The monitoring and the review of the quality management strategy will take place at the end of the...

After the closure of schools, teachers began spontaneously to move to distance learning using communication platforms (such as Zoom); at the same time, the burden of work was transferred onto learners and households. Very soon, the need to ease the school's pressure to evaluate learners' performance from a distance became apparent, partly because it is not easy to distinguish learners' own performance from domestic support and also because the conditions for domestic performance are very...

Ordinance RD No 04-4 of 8 October 2019 of the economy minister sets the conditions for creating and maintaining a register of employers who meet the requirements for dual vocational education and training (DVET) partnerships. The registration of an employer in the information database is voluntary and does not require the payment of a State fee.

The employer must have the required facilities for the provision of training in the profession for which work-based learning will be conducted, in...

The education minister approved a training programme for acquiring basic pedagogical and psychological knowledge and skills aimed at mentors involved in on-the-job training (dual training system). The changes in Art. 17a1 of the VET Act (VETA) of 2018 also include specific requirements for company mentors in dual training.

The programme is for people who want to become mentors at enterprises and to provide on-the-job training. It provides the tools for effective partnership between training...

The FET strategy 2020-24 was developed in consultation with the FET sector and other key stakeholders. Consultation was wide-ranging and included bilateral meetings, regional workshops and a public call for submissions. Strategy development also involved developing an understanding of the policy context, the evolving environment and the nature of FET provision in Ireland, and then benchmarking this against other international approaches to further and vocational education and training.

A...

Stairs is a 2019-22 Erasmus+ project, promoting social inclusion through educational best practices. The project focuses on the adaptation of good practices in social inclusion across Europe and on the adaptation process itself. The consortium consists of seven partners. The Tempus Public Foundation in Hungary is a coordinating institution; six others, including the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for VET (CPI) (seven institutions from six countries in total) cooperate in the project.

Amendments to the law should allow students to receive a State-recognised partial vocational qualifications, thus promoting a competence-based approach in VET.

Introducing modular VET programmes should significantly reduce the time needed to respond to labour market skill demands. The content of the developed modular vocational education programmes needs to be flexible in vocational basic education, pre-secondary vocational education, vocational secondary education, vocational continuing...

Overall, the spending review proposes a series of measures regarding social inclusion, data collection and methodology development, the management of systems not sensitive to additional funding, as well as three austerity measures. Many were related to education.

One austerity measure was linked to VET, requiring that contributions to the so-called activation work of the unemployed provided by municipalities (focusing predominantly on unskilled activities, such as street sweeping, waste...

A new act was adopted on pedagogical staff and professional staff (138/2019) in 2019 complemented by two decrees (361/2019 on education for professional development and 1/2020 on qualification requirements). The act cancelled:

1. the original credit system, but retained the right to a salary supplement for certain types of in-service training (especially when obtaining new qualifications), thus significantly reducing the link between salary bonuses and completion of in-service training;
2. the...

There are four main areas of development envisaged in the national education strategy 2021-27:

Highly competent educators

Highly competent educational staff implies the training, attraction and retention of outstanding teachers and academic staff, as well as systematic and purposeful professional development, methodological and consultative support. Stimulating the motivation of teachers and academic staff is also important.

Availability of quality education to everyone

Quality...

The Regulation modifying the VET core curricula and the Regulation establishing the new classification of occupations were adopted in March 2017. They provide the occupations and curricula for the new structure of vocational education.

The classification of occupations defined 213 vocational education occupations, which could be offered from 1 September 2017. It covered first stage sectoral programmes, vocational upper secondary programmes, and post-secondary programmes. The Regulation...

Following the changes to the VET system introduced in November 2018, the Ministry of National Education amended the regulations on the requirements for schools and institutions that are an important element of the pedagogical supervision system. A significant change was introduced in relation to the requirements about cooperation with the local community - the obligation of VET schools to cooperate with employers was added. Additional minor modifications adjusting requirements to the recent...

In autumn 2018, the Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) initiated the review (Lehrberufsscreening) and update of the content of apprenticeship programmes. The review was carried out by the two education research institutes, ibw and öibf. It will serve as the basis for updating and introducing new apprenticeship training content. Challenges included the time pressure for processing the large number of different apprenticeship training regulations and the collection of...

In 2017, the EU allocated as much as EUR 25.7 million for implementation of the Erasmus+ programme in Lithuania. Almost 900 eligible applications were submitted for grants in the country per year. Some 297 education and training applications were received in 2017. A sum of about EUR 11 million was allocated to higher-education establishments; more than EUR 3.5 million to VET institutions and about EUR 500 000 to general education schools. Pupils, students and education staff participating in...

The education strategy applies an integrated approach to the development of the education system to make better use of Estonia’s high-quality education for the benefit of people, society and the economy.

It continues to support the contemporary approaches to teaching and learning, considers rapid technological developments, strives to ensure the next generation of teachers and the renewal of teachers’ roles, and it focuses more on the skills policy, including a clearer division of the roles...

Order TMS/369/2019 harmonises the system of accreditation of all training providers. All vocational training providers authorised by the different competent authorities are integrated into one network through the State registry, which also ensures coherence with the Catalogue of training specialities (associated or not with professional certificates). The registry is used by the employment authorities to manage different services for different target groups. Only registered providers may...

A training speciality consists of ‘the grouping of professional competences, contents, and technical specifications that respond to a set of work activities framed in a phase of the production process and related functions, or to the acquisition of transversal competences necessary in a professional environment and context’. The Order TMS/283/2019 foresees mechanisms for dissemination, monitoring and evaluation to ensure compliance with the objectives set. Accreditation procedures, career...

The National Centre for TVET Development, together with the support of the education ministry, runs annual information campaigns to raise public awareness that initial VET can be a first option for young people. This can provide them with the opportunity to acquire competences (both general and professional) and attitudes and skills leading to a qualification at EQF level 3 or 4 that is recognised on the labour market as well as offering an option to continue to higher education.

The...