Cedefop Workshop ‘VET in the 21st century – New pressures and changing expectations’ (16-17 Febuary 2017, Thessaloniki)

The workshop provided an opportunity to reflect on initial findings from the ongoing Cedefop study on ‘The changing nature and role of vocational education and training in Europe’.

This work, based on a combination of different research methodologies, aims for an in-depth insight into the overall standing and role of vocational education and training in Europe today. An important part of the research is to better understand the dynamic character of VET, which is why developments during the last 20-25 years are carefully mapped and analysed by the study.

The workshop brought together an extended group of researchers and experts working on VET-related topics, allowing for an in-depth discussion on the preliminary findings of the study and their follow up. The exchanges in the workshop focused on challenges and opportunities currently facing VET.

Particular attention was given to the differing and changing conceptions of VET in Europe and on how external factors (for example demography, economy and technology) are influencing the sector. Results from related Cedefop projects were also  presented, notably the 2016 opinion survey on VET in Europe and the ongoing Monitoring of European policy cooperation in VET.

3s coordinated the project and worked together with the following European partners: DTI (Denmark), IER (United Kingdom), IISS (Estonia), FGB (Italy) and BIBB (Germany).

Link to Cedefop-Workshop.