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:
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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:
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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 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
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:
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promotion (2013)
„world-class VET system“ (rethinking education: 2012)
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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