Stefano Tirati represented EfVET on 5 October 2018 at the kick-off meeting of the ET2020 WG on Innovation and Digitalization: Boosting high-quality VET and Higher VET 2018 – 2020. From around 60 participants, nearly 90% were National Ministerial representatives from Member States while 10% were from European Union Agencies, such as CEDEFOP and EFT, external experts and VET Providers. Under the initiative of the European Commission, and specifically DG EMPL, VET providers have been invited to contribute to these debates which mainly focus on national systems and policy reforms. EfVET had the chance to bring its members’ perspectives and views and combine practitioners insights with the views of National Ministries.
What are the objectives of the Working Group?
There is a great potential of innovation and digitalisation supporting high quality Vocational education and training (VET) and higher VET. Boosting high quality VET and higher VET would further enhance employability and personal development of young learners and people of working age, hence contributing to the competitiveness of companies, sustainable growth and social cohesion. The purpose of the Working Group is to discuss innovation and digitalisation in view of creating more flexible and modern high quality VET systems. This reflection will be carried out taking into account also other key elements, such as governance and financing under tight public budgets, including the support of VET learning mobility, as well as trends, such as ageing population, circular economy and globalisation.
This first meeting has focused on reviewing and clarifying the mandate of the Working Group, which under the proposal from the European Commission, is articulated around eight key points:
- New pedagogical and andragogical approaches for teachers and trainers (e.g. what and how we teach and train, how we learn).
- New learning environments and organizational developments in training institutions and companies.
- Use of modern technologies in VET and Higher VET, e.g. Open Educational Resources (OER).
- Pro-active and flexible VET systems supporting smart specialization strategy and industrial cluster
- Strengthening key competencies by adapting curricula/training programmes and regulations responsive to rapidly changing labour markets
- Governance and financing in terms of cost-sharing and investments in infrastructure
- Quality and excellence in VET
- Support of VET learning mobility, careers without borders and VET internationalization
A clear consensus highlighted the first 5 points as priorities, while the last 3 key challenges might not be focused by the WG, as they are tackled by EU initiatives and working groups.
One of the relevant tools presented during the workshop is SELFIE, the Self-reflection tool for digitally capable schools (SELFIE), enabling educational institutions to autonomously evaluate to what extent they are exploiting the opportunities that digital technologies offer.
The dimensions to be analysed via SELFIE are depicted below. For more information click here.
Last but not least, please remember that this newly established Working Group builds upon the outcomes and deliverables from previous Working Groups who developed 12 policy pointers on teachers and trainers.
For additional info, you may find the full report and video here.