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The term Vocational Education and Training refers to practical activities and
courses related to a specific occupation or vocation, aimed at preparing
participants for their future careers. Vocational training is an essential means
to achieve professional recognition and improve chances to get a job. It is
therefore vital that vocational training systems in Europe respond to the needs
of citizens and the labour market in order to facilitate access to employment.
Vocational education and training has been an essential part of EU policy
since the very establishment of the European Community. It is also a crucial
element of the so-called EU Lisbon Strategy, which aims at transforming Europe
into the world’s most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based society.
In 2002 the European Council reaffirmed this vital role, and established yet
another ambitious goal – to make European education and training renowned
globally by the year 2010 – by championing a number of world-class
initiatives, and in particular by strengthening cooperation in the area of
vocational training.
EU initiatives for the promotion of vocational training cooperation
In its efforts to promote a collaborative approach to the development of
vocational training systems in Europe, the European Union makes use of a variety
of instruments and implements a wide series of programmes and initiatives.
Socrates
Socrates advocates European cooperation in all areas of education. This
cooperation takes different forms:
- mobility (moving around Europe),
- organising joint projects,
- setting up European networks (disseminating ideas and good
practice),
- and
conducting studies and comparative analyses.
In practice, Socrates offers people grants to study, teach, undertake a
placement or follow a training course in another country. It provides support
for educational establishments to organise teaching projects and to exchange
experiences. It helps associations and NGOs in organising activities on
educational topics, etc.
Leonardo da Vinci
The Leonardo da Vinci programme, adopted in 1994, has as a main objective the
implementation of the EU’s training policy. It is one of the major instruments
supporting trans-national mobility in Europe and provides funding to public and
private organisations active in training issues. Leonardo also supports
placement and exchange projects, study visits and trans-national networks,
amongst others.
Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in Europe
Lifelong learning is a process that involves all forms of education –
formal, informal and non-formal – and lasts from the pre-school period until
after retirement. It is meant to enable people to develop and maintain key
competencies throughout their life as well as to empower citizens to move freely
between jobs, regions and countries. Lifelong learning is also a core element of
the previously mentioned Lisbon Strategy, as it is crucial for self-development
and the raising of competitiveness and employability. The EU has adopted several
instruments for the promotion of adult education in Europe.
A European area of lifelong learning
In order to make lifelong learning a reality in Europe, the European
Commission has set itself the objective of creating a European Area of Lifelong
Learning. In this context, the Commission focuses on identifying the needs of
both learners and the labour market in order to make education more accessible
and subsequently create partnerships between public administrations, suppliers
of educational services and civil society.
This EU initiative is based on the objective of providing basic skills – by
strengthening counselling and information services at a European level, and by
recognising all forms of learning, including formal education and informal and
non-formal training.
Grundtvig
Grundtvig is one of the
actions of the EU education programme Socrates and aims primarily at improving
the quality of vocational adult education. It also seeks to promote exchanges
and cooperation that facilitate opportunities and access to lifelong learning
for EU citizens.
EU organisations promoting vocational education in Europe
With the objective of facilitating cooperation and exchange in the field of
vocational training, the EU has set up specialised bodies working in the field
of vocational training.
- The European Centre for
Vocational Training (CEDEFOP / Centre Européen pour le
Développement de la Formation Professionnelle) was created in 1975 as a
specialised EU agency for the promotion and development of vocational
education and training in Europe.
Based in Thessaloniki, Greece, it carries out research and analysis on
vocational training and disseminates its expertise to various European
partners, such as related research institutions, universities or training
facilities.
- The European Training
Foundation was established in 1995 and works in close collaboration with
CEDEFOP. Its mission is to support partner countries (from outside the EU)
to modernise and develop their systems for vocational training.
Text last edited on: 02/2008
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
Reproduction is authorised.
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