1. Vocational Training Policy of the European Union Dr. Knut Diekmann, DIHK e.V., HU Berlin, 5. August 2013 Dr Knut Diekmann Association of German Chambers of Industrie and Commerce

2. historical setting European continent with different traditions – dual principle: theoretical and practical parts – school-based VET – lack of VET: training on the job one of the most important infrastructures and powers in the hands of the member-states educational systems as effective barriers against mobility and free movement of labour (as one of the freedoms of the common market) late in process of European integration: starting point 1995 Dr. Knut Diekmann, DIHK e.V., HU Berlin, 5. August 2013

3. challenges change of policy: 1. EU institutions: gaining political influence breaking national powers reserving powers in the EU-treaty 2. developping a vision with added value for all players: European area of vocational training Dr. Knut Diekmann, DIHK e.V., HU Berlin, 5. August 2013

4. policy targets aims of European policy on VET: - moderate harmonization via standards - transparency and comparability - common concepts: lifeling learning, learning outcomes, knowledge/skill/competency, non-formal and informal learning - common terms - common infrastructure: matrix incl. descriptors, levels of excellence, domains - orientation towards labour market needs Dr. Knut Diekmann, DIHK e.V., HU Berlin, 5. August 2013

5. approach 1 experiments with different approaches: 1. pan-European qualifications, occupations, professions idea of Cedefop 2. sectoral directives for 7 qualifications consolidating into European directive on the recognition of professional qualification (2005) mechanism in ‚significant differences‘, common procedural standards and time limits Dr. Knut Diekmann, DIHK e.V., HU Berlin, 5. August 2013

6. approach 2 3. transparency instruments start with Europass 2000 variety of tools in Copenhagen process: - European Qualification Framework (EQF) and NQFs - European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) - European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for Vocational, Education and Training (EQARF) - European Agenda für Adult learning - key project ESCO (-2017) Dr. Knut Diekmann, DIHK e.V., HU Berlin, 5. August 2013

7. implementation 1 ways of implementation: anchor in few treaty passages (title XII and articles 165f) path of ‚soft law‘ mainly based on recommendations bulding up infrastructures (‚financial reins‘) launching programmes open method of coordination = guidelines and indicators, benchmarking and sharing of best practice delegated acts (§ 290 treaty) Dr. Knut Diekmann, DIHK e.V., HU Berlin, 5. August 2013

8. implementation 2 - new concepts - working programmes: ‚Education and Training Work Programme‘ (2002-10, 2011-2020) - European Education benchmarks (2006) - early leavers from school and education: less than 10 % - tertiary attainment: at least 40 % - pre-school participation: 95 % - low achievers: less than 15 % - employment rates of graduates: 82 % - adult lifelong learning participation: 15 % Dr. Knut Diekmann, DIHK e.V., HU Berlin, 5. August 2013

9. implementation 3 accompanying instruments: - promotion (2013) „world-class VET system“ (rethinking education: 2012) - concept of key competencies (2004) - inventory of Validation of non-formal and informal learning (2001) - Jean Monnet-professorships - European Language Portfolio (2001) - common statistics: Continiung Vocational Training Survey - thematic European years Dr. Knut Diekmann, DIHK e.V., HU Berlin, 5. August 2013

10. status quo results: what has been achieved? success story European Commission in lead of direction; member-states with complying EU-philosophy danger of overload of transparency instruments enforcing view of the labour market, e.g. ‚skills based matching‘ Dr. Knut Diekmann, DIHK e.V., HU Berlin, 5. August 2013