The conference was held during the 4th European Vocational Skills Week 2019 in Helsinki and was organised by the European Commission in cooperation with Cedefop (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training).
The first day was organised as a plenary session and was dedicated to topics such as the role of VET in addressing global challenges and excellence, inclusion and career-long learning in VET. On the second day, workshops on various topics took place including vocational excellence, upskilling and reskilling, lifelong guidance and validation, future-oriented policy-making, the changing role of teachers and trainers, and entrepreneurship on VET.
In the workshop on ‘Lifelong guidance and validation’, Pedro Moreno da Fonseca (Cedefop) presented the outcomes of a recent study on ‘Validation of non-formal and informal learning and career guidance’ that was coordinated by 3s. Carlo Scatoli (DG EMPL) gave a brief overview on the 2018 Update of the European Inventory on the Validation of non-formal and informal learning (with contributions from 3s experts). In addition, four case studies on different forms of cooperation between career guidance and validation services were presented.
Julia Fellinger (3s) was invited to present the Austrian initiative ‘Du kannst was! / Yes you can!’. It is a regional initiative by social partners and adult learning providers in the Federal Province of Upper Austria offering an alternative pathway to obtaining an apprenticeship certificate (qualification corresponding to EQF level 4) in a wide number of occupations through validation of prior work experience. Guidance is offered by the guidance and career counselling services of the Chambers of Labour and Commerce.
Link: European Vocational Skills Week 2019
