Professor James Calleja, President of EfVET, delivered a keynote speech at a prominent conference in Limassol, organized by the Foundation for the Management of European Lifelong Learning Programmes, the National Agency for Erasmus+ in Cyprus.

The conference, themed “Bridging the Gap between Higher Education and VET with Industry,” gathered rectors, professors from European universities and VET institutions, and Ministry of Education representatives. Professor Calleja also led an engaging workshop addressing the challenges of aligning higher education (HE) with vocational education and training (VET) and industry needs, concluding with his participation in a thought-provoking panel discussion.

In his keynote, Professor Calleja emphasized initiatives to foster collaboration between HE, VET, and industry. He highlighted the critical role of inviting industry onto campus and involving businesses in updating VET curricula. Additionally, he explored the transformative impact of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, on bridging the interests of education providers and industry.

“Technology is the new language of education,” Professor Calleja remarked. “In societies where workplaces are rapidly evolving, collaboration among teachers, managers, and employers is essential. Education must equip young learners and workers with skills relevant to the employment landscape.”

Professor Calleja underlined the urgency of tackling the EU’s skills mismatch, with 2.7% of job vacancies remaining unfilled and over 6.7 million unemployed. He stressed that education must innovate rather than perpetuate the status quo, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational interaction in imparting skills tailored to today’s job market.

Key priorities for rethinking VET were also discussed, including:

• Redirecting pedagogy towards work-based learning, particularly apprenticeships.
• Introducing the concept of lifelong learning early in education, encouraging the acquisition of foundational skills.
• Positioning educators and employers as equal partners in delivering relevant skills and competencies.

The event, coordinated by Dr. Stylianos Mavromoustakos, Director of the Foundation and a former Vice-President of EfVET, served as a valuable platform for dialogue on enhancing the synergy between education and industry.

Through his insights, Professor Calleja reaffirmed EfVET’s commitment to shaping an education system that bridges gaps, adapts to technological advancements, and meets the evolving demands of the workforce.

Author: Professor James Calleja (President of EfVET)
Co-editor: Hristiyan Petrov (Graphic Designer and Communication Officer of EfVET)