We are pleased to invite you to two webinars on tackling early school leaving by improving information, support, and mutual learning

How to encourage young people and provide them with adequate support so they remain interested in learning in a global context that is particularly challenging? These two events will provide an opportunity to share regional experiences and hear about support initiatives at the EU level.

The events are part of the Skillnet webinar series AER is organising, which provides an opportunity for mutual learning around topics identified by AER members.

Generating enthusiasm, informing about potential

One of the challenges in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is that it is often associated with negative representations such as the difficulty to follow general education or attend university. Informing about the potential of TVET and its success potential is also instrumental in boosting self-confidence in learners.

The first webinar, which will take place on 27 January 2021 at 10:00 CET, will offer the opportunity to learn and exchange about regional policies and practices aimed at making young people more aware of the opportunities related to Technical and Vocational Education and Training, in order to:

• avoid early school leaving because of the inadequacy of training pathways and the risks associated with the feeling of failure;
• encourage young people to see Technical and Vocational Education and Training as a pathway for success: for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training choice to be a positive choice;
• recruit talented young people in Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

Vocational Training in Times of Lockdown and Pandemic

In the context of the pandemic, the fundamental role of schools and teachers has been challenged. With lockdowns put in place across Europe, vocational education and training (VET) schools had to convert physical classrooms and work-based learning spaces into digital learning environments overnight. Keeping up the attention, motivation and good spirit of students became a major focus of teachers, as global events increased uncertainty especially for young people.

The second webinar, which will take place on 28 January at 10:00 CET, will focus on Vocational Training in Times of Lockdown and Pandemic.
The event will be an opportunity to hear about the Cedefop VET toolkit for tackling early leaving created by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training CEDEFOP, a very current source of support to policymakers, education, and training providers.

Agenda

New enthusiasm for vocational training and education
Boosting self-confidence

 27 January 2021 10:00 CET

• 10:00 – 10:05 Welcome introduction of the topic & speakers Hrvoje Kovac, Chair of the AER subcommittee on Youth, Varazdin (HR)
• 10:05 – 10:10 Housekeeping rules, quick presentation on Skillnet, Valentina De Vico, Communication Manager Skillman Team
• 10:10 – 10:20  VET & initial training and existing funding and support opportunities Kjerstin Torpmann-Hagen, Policy Officer, European Commission DG EMPL
• 10:20 – 10:30 Experience from Catalonia, Miquel Carrión Molina, Deputy Director Youth Employment and Professional Qualification, Catalonia (ES)
• 10:30 – 10:40 Experience from Alba, Gabriela Rus, Policy officer, Economic and rural development department, Alba County Council (RO)
• 10:40 – 10:55 Panel discussion and Q&A session
• 10:55- 11:00 Closing remarks

Vocational Training in Times of Lockdown and Pandemic
Preventing early school leaving

28 January 2021 10:00 CET

• 10:00 – 10:05 Welcome introduction of the topic & speakers Birgit Sandu, EU Project Manager, Assembly of European Regions
• 10:05 – 10:10 Skillman introduction and Skillnet project presentation Valentina De Vico, Communication Manager, Skillman Team
• 10:10 – 10:30 Presentation of Cedefop VET toolkit for tackling early leaving Irene Psifidou, Expert, Department for Learning and Employability CEDEFOP
• 10:30 – 10:40 Experience from Catalonia Borja Castellet, Project Manager El Llindar
• 10:40 – 10:55 Panel discussion and Q&A session
• 10:55- 11:00 Closing remarks

How to join the webinars

Click on the above “register here” buttons (one registration per event)

or go to the Skillnet events page and chose:

• E 418 – Mutual learning on early school leaving: Generating new enthusiasm for vocational training and boosting self-confidence 27/01/2021 10:00 CET
• E 911 – Vocational Training in Times of Lockdown and Pandemic: preventing early school leaving 28/01/2021 10:00 CET

This webinar is organised as part of the SKILLNET series of webinars on EU funding opportunities. SKILLNET is a project funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission aiming to strengthen the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system’s role and capacity to design high-quality VET programmes tailored to current societal needs through enhanced transnational and cross-sectoral partnerships.