Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
There are many aspects to work-based learning which can strengthen vocational education and training and these characteristics have been recognised by several European Commission policy documents1. As part of the implementation of the Bruges Communiqué, the European Commission wants to prepare a practically oriented document (possibly a handbook for policy makers) focused on good practices in implementing different forms of work-based learning.
The European Commission has recently appointed GHK Consulting to identify and analyse such successful work-based learning models in initial vocational education and training (iVET) in Europe. This analysis should identifying success factors and obstacles for work-based learning in iVET. The analysis will be supported by a selection of good practices illustrating, based upon concrete examples, models for the development of work-based learning approaches.
The identification of examples of good practice is the reason why we are contacting you.
We would like you to recommend to us one or several examples of work-based learning initiatives in your country which are considered as particularly successful or innovative. Note that through this call we are not looking to identify system-level features – such as the apprenticeship systems – on which there is already wealth of information available through publications of Cedefop as well as other organisations. We are in particular interested in successful or innovative examples at regional/sectoral or local level or national initiatives that aim to reform the existing system-level features to integrate more or better work-based learning.
We will use your suggestions to feed into the first stage of the assignment which consists of identifying a larger sample of examples. In the next stages a selection of these examples will be analysed in greater depth and will be used to design the policy-handbook.
We would also appreciate if you could send this request to other persons/ organisations which could provide us with inspiring examples.
In particular social partners or stakeholders as well as practitioners at the national, regional and local levels.
In parallel to this call our research teams will carry out desk research to identify suitable examples.
What are we looking for more specifically?
- We are interested in identifying successful examples of work-based learning in initial VET. It can be at different levels: secondary or post-secondary.
- We understand as work-based learning a broad range of forms of VET which either take place in a workplace context or simulates the workplace. We use a basic categorisation that is presented in the box below.
- The examples that we will analyse should comply with at least one of these features:
− Be examples of successful pilot measures or projects that are being mainstreamed or whichhave received a lot of attention because of their success;
− Be examples of measures to reform, improve or quality assure existing work-based learning approaches;
Mainstream system level initiatives will be covered but you do not have to provide suggestions about these as the information will be gathered through other channels.
Forms of work-based learning
Under work-based learning we cover:
- Alternance training forms which alternate school-based and work-place based learning (including apprenticeships)
- On-the-job training periods
- Simulations of WBL experience (such as mini-companies or school-based workshops)
- Working life familiarisation (company visits, mentoring etc.)
- Transition and reintegration programmes which use any of the above forms
To submit examples
Please use the grid provided in a separate attachment.
Please support this brief description with further existing documentation (or a link to such documentation – research, reports, web-sites or evaluations). Obviously, the documentation provided can be in the national language of the country where the practice is put in place.
Please submit the examples to Daniela Ulicna, GHK Consulting (daniela.ulicna@ghkint.com) by 31 January 2012.
If you have any further questions regarding this study do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
Daniela Ulicna,
Senior consultant
GHK Consulting Ltd
Rue Royale 146
B-1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 275 01 08
Fax: +32 2 275 01 09
Email: daniela.ulicna@ghkint.com
Web: www.ghkint.com
1 The European Commission Communication ‘A new impetus for European cooperation in Vocational Education and Training to support the Europe 2020 strategy’ has emphasised the role of work-based learning approaches. The Bruges Communique on Enhanced European Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training for the period 2011-2020 also stresses the importance for further developing WBL.
