This synthesis report summarises the findings of the 3s-coordinated Cedefop project “The changing nature and role of vocational education and training (VET) in Europe (2016-18)”.

A Cedefop online database provides information on how apprenticeships are financed in the EU Member States. The project was coordinated by 3s (Mariya Dzhengozova, Jörg Markowitsch).

The just published 2018 update of the inventory on validation of non-formal and informal learning is a unique record of how validation is being used nationally, regionally and locally across Europe. It contains the state of play and an overview of developments for 36 countries illustrated by good practice examples.

The kick-off meeting for the Erasmus+ project “VetUp” (Transnational Networks of VET Providers for the excellence of VET in Europe) took place from 8 to 11 January 2020 in the eastern Spanish city of Alzira.

Validation and guidance help individuals, organisations and Member States adapt to career challenges and create successful lifelong learning systems. However, little is known about how they are linked in practice and how this connection can be made more efficient.

With three current real-life examples, a conference of the wba and the Vienna Chamber of Labour showed how competence recognition functions successfully on higher education levels and what is necessary in order to make validation fit for the future. Karin Luomi-Messerer (3s) took part with a lecture on “Through competence recognition to higher qualifications?

In the 36th issue of the “ECVET-Magazine” there are again interesting articles on different “ECVET”-topics (European Credit System for Vocational Education & Training), this time with a large participation of 3s staff members.

The aim of the conference under the motto”With vocational education and training at the top. Further development of higher vocational education and training in Austria” was to reflect on possible implementation scenarios for Austrian higher vocational education and training.

From 24-25 October 2019 the Kick-Off Meeting for the Erasmus+ project HoWARP (action-oriented continuing education at the workplace) took place in Berlin. 3s was represented by Managing Director Stefan Humpl and Project Manager Julia Fellinger.

With the participation of 3s, the conference “VET for All – Skills for Life” took place in Helsinki from 14 – 18 October 2019. The conference focused on topics related to Vocational Education and Training for young people and adults.