1. ETS WG role and working methods
ETS WG, January 2003
Agenda Item IV.2
document ETS05

2. Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, 23-24 January 2003
The ETS WP mandate
Council resolution on ET statistics:
Eurostat and the ETS WP should expedite the necessary development work to ensure supply of quality data which is comparable and as up-to-date as possible, account being taken of the data bases and instruments already in existence and observing the principle of data collection organised on a decentralised basis
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

3. Eurostat: Community focal point of the ESS
countries
Parliament
Council
etc
Policy
Policy
Policy
Policy
Policy
Eurostat
Enterprise
Regional
Research
Employment
Education
International organisations
Commission
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

4. Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, 23-24 January 2003
The ETS WP role
This means that the main role of the ETS WP should be to:
contribute to the definition and implementation of a strategy on education and training statistics in the European Statistical System both at the level of collection of data (data development) and at the level of the use of data (indicator development).
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

5. Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, 23-24 January 2003
Tasks
A. Planning at the European level:
evaluate and discuss strategic plans and priorities for education and training statistics presented by Eurostat.
B. Contribution to activities at the European level
support the implementation of the statistical parts of the Community action programmes in the areas of education and training (incl. steering committees of Leonardo da Vinci projects, other Commission activities related to statistics and indicators).
to exchange information on requirements and policies
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

6. Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, 23-24 January 2003
Tasks
C. Co-operation at the European and international level
exchange of best practises and know-how
broad methodological discussions on the basis of detailed methodological discussions in the relevant technical subgroups.
D. Co-ordination at the national level
to liase between Eurostat and organisations at national level and co-ordinate the collection of statistical information required for use in EU policy making.
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

7. Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, 23-24 January 2003
Tasks
Tasks A-C: initiative on European Commission (mainly Eurostat)
Task D: Purely a national task for the ETS WG member:
this the role of the ETS national focal point
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

8. Issues identified over the past 2 years
networking at the national level
national representation:
level (decision making during the meeting).
coverage of areas
too many documents sent too late
no formal agreements with countries (e.g. only gentlemen's agreements”)
no formal agreements specific for E&T with other international organisations
other European Commission groups working on indicators on E&T
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

9. Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, 23-24 January 2003
Steps taken
Eurostat:
Expert subgroups (focus)
Circa and ETS bulletin (continuous information)
Working and reference documents - not late
Prepare formal agreements in CVTS and AES
Agreement on processing UOE data in UOE manual - Proposal for use of unique address
Other Commission activity
DG EAC: Standing Group on Indicators
DG RTD: ERA benchmarking
DG ENTR: Innovation benchmarking
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

10. New structure - trends Statistical Programme Committee (SPC)
Directors of Social Statistics (DSS)
Education and Training Statistics WP (ETS)
Task Forces
Expert groups
Task Forces
Expert groups
Task Forces
Expert groups
Task Forces
Expert groups
Short time
Permanent
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

11. Future steps by Eurostat
1) user-friendly circa web site
2) frequency of information bulletins
3) consult ETS "focal points" in writing on strategic issues related to statistical work (for technical issues consult expert subgroups and inform ETS "focal points”)
4) consult ETS "focal points" in writing on issues related to indicator development (in some cases only consult expert subgroups and inform the ETS "focal points”)
5) formalised arrangements for our co-operation with countries, international organisations, other Commission DGs.
Comment: Subgroups started as restricted groups but will need to evolve to become full networks. Membership is not closed.
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

12. On the side of the countries
1) consultation structure at the national level around the ETS "focal points” (central role of the DSS - SGI)
2) inform of any changes in ETS “focal point”
3) early feedback on problems
4) use the communication tools
5) actively participate in Task Forces and improve networking with ETS "focal points".
6) suggest changes
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003

13. Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, 23-24 January 2003
The ETS WG is asked to
- comment on the functioning of the group and on this first evaluation by Eurostat
- suggest ways to improve the efficiency of working group meetings and of the networking of ETS members/"focal points" between meetings
- inform about best practice
Eurostat Education and Training Statistics WG, January 2003