Vocational Training Policy of the European Union Dr

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

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

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

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

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

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

implementation 1 ways of implementation: • • anchor in few treaty passages (title XII and articles 165 f) 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

implementation 2 - new concepts - European Education benchmarks (2006) working programmes: ‚Education and Training Work Programme‘ (2002 -10, 2011 -2020) - 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

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

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