Cluster of knowledge (CoK) Modernizing the VET system – improving performance, quality and attractiveness of VET Framework and expectations

The Bruges Communiqué on enhanced European cooperation in VET for Challenges -Globalization -Demographic changes -Labour market changes -Economic and financial crisis Europe wants to become smarter, more sustainable and more inclusive Europe needs flexible, high quality education and training systems which respond to the needs of today and tomorrow

A GLOBAL VISION FOR VET IN 2020 Attractive and inclusive VET High quality initial VET Easily accessible and career-oriented continuing VET Flexible systems of VET, based on a learning outcomes approach A European education and training area Substantially increased opportunities for transnational mobility Easily accessible and high-quality lifelong information, guidance and counselling services

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR THE PERIOD IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF VET AND ENHANCING ITS ATTRACTIVENESS AND RELEVANCE MAKING LIFELONG LEARNING AND MOBILITY A REALITY ENHANCING CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROMOTING EQUITY, SOCIAL COHESION AND ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

Countries and organizations involved in the CoK Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Former Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia European Training Foundation (ETF), the Centre for Education Policy on behalf of the Education Reform Initiative of South Eastern Europe (ERI SEE), and KulturKontakt Austria (KKA) on behalf of the Task Force Fostering and Building Human Capital (TFBHC)

CoK’s goal To share -Data (common format) -Information (common semantic) -Knowledge (common representation) To create new knowledge - By enabling constructive perspectives (empathy)

CoK’s objective The cluster Modernizing the VET system – improving performance, quality and attractiveness of VET aims to support the regional cooperation in VET in accordance with the diversified needs of the countries for mutual learning, regional exchange of experience and good practice and for encompassing the specific phases of national reforms in VET. Synergies with the SEE-VET.NET Synergies with projects in the framework of the Danube Region Strategy

Reference to the ERISEE The overall objective is consistent with the mission statement and objectives, and specific objectives and ERISEE work programme for 2011: “Development of mutual policy learning practices through enhanced institutional cooperation in Vocational Education and Training in South East Europe “, “Further support to country initiatives in the domain of mutual policy learning and cooperation in the field of education in general”, and “Initiating regional exchange of policies and practices in the area of equity and access to education, a measure of particularly relevance for reducing the percentage of early school leavers …., as suggested by EU2020 education benchmarks”.

Specific objectives knowledge transfer on the national policies on: – quality assurance – social partnership in VET and matching VET supply with labour market demand developing mutual policy learning practices and strengthening the exchange of information and good practice among the countries represented at the cluster supporting intra-country and inter-country co- operation on VET at regional level formulation of recommendations for future ERI SEE support to regional cooperation in VET

Key outputs a Compendium of Good Practices focussing on quality assurance mechanisms at VET providers’ level and social partnership in VET thematic reports, with key policy conclusions summaries on themes identified

Compendium of good practices -content proposal- -Executive summary -Objectives and scope -Contexts -Benefits experienced -Factual data -Sources and methods -Who to contact 2-3 pages

Goals for developing the compendium To identify factors that constitute and are related to attractiveness of VET To map the countries policy measures To improve attractiveness of VET and to some extent CVT

ENVISAGED TIMELINE ACTIVITIES Kickoff meeting May 2011, Bucharest Workshop on improving quality in VET and developing a quality culture at VET providers’ level - 24/25 of November 2011 Austria; starting working on Compendium of Good Practices Workshop on development of: - A Compendium of Good Practices in a number of thematic areas focussing on quality assurance mechanisms at VET providers’ level and social partnership in VET in participating countries Meeting for concluding on good practices included in the compendium, April 2012, ROMANIA Meeting for concluding on cluster’s outputs and for identifying priorities for further development of VET policy in region, adapted to national needs - recommendations for further cooperation, September – October 2012, ROMANIA

Thank you!