The first EfVET Thematic Team Global VET took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Three days of collaboration with excellent professionals’ people, for the implementation of a dynamic and forward -thinking network.  The Global VET Thematic Team was established with the aim of making vocational education stronger not only in Europe, but also worldwide. The Global VET Thematic Team, which currently has nearly 100 EfVET members, acts with the mission of learning and developing together for a stronger Europe,The event, hosted by Zadkine college in the very own hometown of Erasmus.

Vocational education is faced with the challenge to fulfil its mission adequately, and to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe. Excellence, in the EfVET community, has always been dealing with Inclusion, based on Members’ experience with dropouts, students with special learning needs, migrants, minorities. Real excellence concerns the discovery of the human and professional value of people, notwithstanding their problems and disabilities, leaving no one behind.

On the first day, Beyond the walking and site visits, it was also a chance to experience guide, the hospitality of Rotterdam with cooking students taking care of the event. Zadkine aims to offer every student the best opportunities.

The opening remarks by Marloes de Vrie, Chairmain Zadkine college, performed the official opening ceremony and she highlighted that “We are faced with economic, political and social security challenges which call for a strong VET system that reinforces European values, social cohesion and resilience. We all must play a role to ensure that education systems commit to shared goals, to policies on integration of migrants, to the impact of AI and digital transformation, to green transition strategies”.

Said Kasmi, Alderman for Education, culture dedicated to strenghthening the worldwide cooperation with vocational education training. Stefano Tirati, EfVET Vice-President/CEO Learningdigital. highlighted “VET not only prepares citizens to the labour market but also prepares for active and let’s full participation in society. EfVET tries to bridge skills gaps and promote TVET not only in Europe but as well beyond, therefore it is very important to include VET learners in citizenship education provision in each EU state. We – as educators – can contribute to peace. We can build bridges”. International TVET organisations’ work is also supporting Global citizenship..”

The opening panel discussion by Priscilla Catonye from UNESCO-UNEVOC highlighted that “Many young people face challenges, such as how we can truly engage them in the economies of these educational systems. We are exploring ways to encourage foundational literacy among young people and how to improve STEM, especially for those entering the digital era. Recent reports have indicated that one out of ten women have agreed, which means nine do not have access to administrative roles. Thus, as the EU, it suggests that in your classroom, you are developing solutions to address this issue.” Then Amir Radfar from TVET Specialist (Refugees and Displacement) said that millions of people are forced to flee their homes to escape from conflict and I am proud that the concept related to inclusion of refugees into the system of course goes beyond TVET. We need to promote more access of refugees to TVET programmes at any potential levels. The future of skills development is interconnected, and it’s time to scale up global partnerships that make TVET more inclusive, agile and impactful. 

MEP Brigitte van der Berg said in her speech: “ I was elected to in the important European Parliament and I was actually quite surprised to see here that there are not many people of vocational level involved, impacting banking day-to-day both politics and I’m trying to change something about that because I think that with each other with people from very different backgrounds and a  wide range of skills we can contribute significantly in world that is very important. I am part of certain Commission committees shortly after that so you kind of know what I’m working on. I mean the committee employment and we’re also very much focused on the skills agenda, which is about the industry and the energy transition. She presented her 10 points plan for education. She highlighted the professionals in training who will literally build the new Europe. Technology, safety, better languages, investing in teachers, internships, creating more student housing and care- is demand for professionals in these sectors is greater than ever. It is high time to invest heavily in professionals.

Overall, during workshops it was great to discuss with colleagues and learn from examples on how the VET sector can forge ties among various stakeholders, reflect on local needs and step by step establish sustainable actions that support readiness for the future. 

Interactive workshop points:

• Share insights on International VET opportunities, presenting UNISER global mobility experiences for learners and staff Singapore and China
• The Sustainability Education for Culinary Professionals curriculum is a free course designed to help chefs engage with key sustainability topics and inspire positive change starting in the kitchen
• Strong sense of belonging to a network of organisations and individuals who share common values and ideas, all striving to build bridges through education 
• VET is a power tool for the inclusion of marginalised groups, such a refugees
• Experiences of children and young people in their digital lives. Finally, he challenges the participants to actively involve young people in (digital) social issues
• Exchange ideas and shape the future of inclusive international collaborate
• on
• Strategy and vision, advocacy and stakeholder engagement, as well as the involvement and role of the EfVET Global VET TT. Promote excellence, quality and inclusion beyound 
• More accessible, diverse and internationally connected TVET system.

In the afternoon we visited the Start college. Starting college helps students make a successful start from zero and assists them in obtaining a MBO level one school diploma. The teachers work with passion and help all their students succeed. Mr. Omid Anwari, Senior Teacher from Start Zadkine college highlighted that “more important for us to put VET on the map in a more positive way. Our students are learning what it is like to learn.” 

After the presentation, walking around through the college, we learned more about the education periods, theory lessons, etc. Again, the students prepared a dinner by Zadkine students

The success of this event reinforces the importance of international collaboration in advancing lifelong learning, and it highlights the ongoing role of the EfVET network in promoting global citizenship through vocational education and training. The partnership brought together professionals from regional authorities and Vocational Education and Training Schools to share best practices and explore strategies for promoting inclusion in vocational training, especially in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Conclusion we agree that we will consult the EfVET members, asking how the Erasmus+ programme, for instance, could be improved in terms of funding and also in terms of technical elements that we, as project promoters, owners, and eventually decision makers. We will create a list of items and elements that could be improved, according to our perspective, not only in terms of funding-which is also important-but also in terms of enablers for our activities. So, what I would like to do is to launch the survey in the upcoming days and week.

The Global VET event was an important milestone, but the work continues, The Global VET coordinators remain dedicated to fostering cooperation, sharing best practice and projects. Big thank you to everyone who joined, shared their experience, good practice, and made this event both informative and engaging!