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You are here: Home / Archives for TVET

How To Foster An Intercultural Approach To Education & Training- Highlights From Includ-EU Webinar

4 July, 2022 By Anna Comacchio

On 24 May 2022, AER organised, within the framework of the Includ-EU project and in cooperation with IOM (International Organisation for Migration), the 5th and last webinar on the series that looked into the 4 areas tackled by the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion (2021-2027), namely Education and Training, Employment, Access to Health, and adequate and affordable housing.

It is by no chance that Education and Training are on top of the list, as they are considered as a pre-condition and the key enabler of social inclusion and empowerment encompassing all other areas of Inclusion (together with housing, the most tangible and thus need and also very high on the European agenda).

That is why a firm commitment of IOM, as underlined by Emanuela di Paola (Integration and Technical Cooperation Unit, IOM, Coordination Office for the Mediterranean) in the opening, is to engage the youth to become driver of social inclusion through education (formal, non-formal and informal). 

Students who are well integrated into the education system, have more chances to be active and reach their full potential. Not only, “when young people given responsibility, are empowered and encouraged to take ownership, they can also be catalysts of innovation and creativity”, continues Emanuela.

But learning cannot stop with the end of the traditional education path and the inclusion in an insatiable rapid-changing labour market. In particular, lifelong learning opportunities and the possibility to upskill and reskill are key to creating the right environment for migrants (young and adults) to arrive in a host country and be able to take up new job opportunities, which reflect the needs of the national/local specificities. 

And in this regard what can be done at the local and regional levels is really make this integration happen, with a series of approaches and initiatives which capitalises on local strengths/ specificities and existing initiatives, as reported by Bruno Mesquita Valle, (Chief of Unit, Capacity Development and Field Support, UNESCO) when presenting the UNESCO mapping of host countries’ education responses to the influx of Ukrainian students, a living exercise to help circulating information and practices.

Still, it is important to identify challenges that are common all over Europe, and draw and recommendations that can benefit different contexts.

Specifically, Eleonora Milazzo (PhD, researcher and migration policy consultant, Kings College London) presented during the webinar the thematic briefing on Access to Education, addressing the key question on how to make education more accessible and inclusive for all. 

Here are the key recommendations:

  • Expand further Intercultural capacity building and teachers training so that all staff receives specific training on how to engage students from culturally diverse backgrounds (ex. School for All, Greece); but also, as highlighted by Ourania Xylouri, Director, Athens Lifelong Learning Institute, Greece Schools for inclusion: integrated way across the curriculum (methology, guidelines and toolbox): How to turn an ordinary school into an intercultural school.
  • Improve Language training in the host countries to make it available from an early stage and capitalising on the existing language skills ( ex. Online tool MyRO, Romania);
  • Build reciprocal trust to avoid that TNC are stigmatized and isolated from the rest of the learning community through Peer2Peer support and mentoring initiatives (ex. Mentorship, Italy);
  • Develop Intercultural Skills of students and families, making sure TNCs can acquire education system and administrative services;
  • Address specific needs for disadvantaged groups to improve greater representation.

A great example comes from Jesenice, Slovenia Adult Education Centre managed by Maja Radinovič Hajdič

Lack of digital skills is one of the greatest barriers for migrants to join different activities and learning and job opportunities, so the centre creates a targeted and tailored capacity-building programme to enable the participants to enhance their Slovene language and digital skills, gain better understanding of online public services in the local environment and strengthen their social network.

Maya states that to achieve this counselling is very important and that no person is entering the programme without counselling. After the pre-assessment of skills, and the definition of the programme, individual Counselling and other support is offered also throughout the whole programme.

[Watch the video dedicated to The Adult Education Centre Jesenice’s pilot project and Murisa’s experience!]

The importance of individual counselling blends well with the final takeaway that comes from Maria Podlasek-Ziegler (Policy Specialist at European Commission: Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Inclusion and Diversity Strategy). 

One key learning from the thousands of Erasmus projects, she highlights, is that is more and more important to focus on the individual, and tailor-needs of learners and not exclusively on specific target groups. [Read the full study report Data collection and analysis of Erasmus + projects. Focus on inclusion in education here].

There are different personalities and different needs to be addressed with tailored-based interventions, stresses also Irene Psfidou (Senior Expert, CEDEFOP).

Background, gender, student well-being as well as aspiration, skills, and personal attitude of individual learners are crucial to take into account to fulfil one’s potential. That’s why policies should work to create equal conditions for all. 

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REGISTRATIONS OPEN: Improving the attractiveness of TVET for women

26 April, 2021 By Johanna Pacevicius

In the context of its activities around skills and the future of work, AER has been organising a series of webinar together with partners of the Skillnet project since Spring 2020. We are very pleased to invite you to join a webinar on improving the attractiveness of TVET for women.

Important: The event has been postponed and will be held on 13 July 2021 at 10:00 CET. The change will not impact on the registrations already submitted for the initial date (19th of May) and no further action is needed by the registrants. Yet, for all those that have not registered, registrations are already open!

What about gender?

AER has been working on mainstreaming gender and equal opportunities in AER activities. This was reflected by the setting up of an Observatory on Equal Opportunities in AER more than 10 years ago, which was then turned into a Vice Presidency for Inclusion, Diversity & Equal Opportunities, currently held by Andrew Gibson, Hampshire (GB). In this context, the current focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training provides an opportunity to look at the situation from a gender angle.

Bridging the gender gap in TVET

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector has a major role to play in providing the skills Europe will need in the future. Moreover, countries with well-designed vocational training programmes find it easier to avoid youth unemployment, even in times of crisis. However, this sector has traditionally been a predominantly male environment.

This is why the European Parliament underlined the need to

continue to address gender bias and gender-stereotypical choices by ensuring and encouraging the equal participation of women in vocational training for what are usually traditional ‘male’ professions and of men in ‘female’ professions; calls for the gender dimension to be reinforced in efforts to modernise VET systems and to make learning both at and outside work more accessible to women employees and those with family care duties, not least in sectors where women are under-represented, notably the digital, STEM and green sectors, in order to combat gender segregation in education and employment and combat gender stereotypes

European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the Council Recommendation on vocational education and training (VET) for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience (2020/2767(RSP))

The event will be held on 13 July 2021 at 10:00 CET and will provide an opportunity to share regional experiences and hear about support initiatives at the EU level.

If you would like to share an example from your region, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Birgit Sandu and Johanna Pacevicius

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.

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Improving the attractiveness of Technical and Vocational Education & Training for women

26 April, 2021 By Valeria Simonte

We are pleased to invite you to the webinar on Improving the attractiveness of Technical and Vocational Education and Training for women.

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector has a major role to play in providing the skills Europe will need in the future. Moreover, countries with well-designed vocational training programmes find it easier to avoid youth unemployment, even in times of crisis. However, this sector has traditionally been a predominantly male environment.

This is why the European Parliament underlined the need to

continue to address gender bias and gender-stereotypical choices by ensuring and encouraging the equal participation of women in vocational training for what are usually traditional ‘male’ professions and of men in ‘female’ professions; calls for the gender dimension to be reinforced in efforts to modernise VET systems and to make learning both at and outside work more accessible to women employees and those with family care duties, not least in sectors where women are under-represented, notably the digital, STEM and green sectors, in order to combat gender segregation in education and employment and combat gender stereotypes

European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the Council Recommendation on vocational education and training (VET) for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience (2020/2767(RSP))

 

The event will be held on 13 July 2021 at 10:00 CET and will give regions the chance to share insights and hear about support initiatives at EU level.

AGENDA & PRESENTATIONS: 

  • 10:00-10.05: Housekeeping rules and quick presentation of the Skillnet project, Valentina De Vico, Communication Manager, Skillman Team
  • 10:05-10:10: Opening, Andrew Gibson, AER Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity & Equal Opportunities
  • 10:10-10:20: Combating gender stereotypes, Alexia Fafara, Junior Policy and Campaigns Officer, European Women’s Lobby, SRHR lead
  • 10:20-10:30: The Gender+ project, Michael Miller, Project Officer, The Opportunity Centre
  • 10:30-10:40: Hampshire (GB) Women in Construction, Carolyn Jay Project Manager in the Skills, Partnerships and Strategy Team
  • 10:40-10:55: Discussion with all speakers and attendees
  • 10:55-11.00: Closing

The webinar is also available on Youtube

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.

 

 

Contacts

 [email protected]

 [email protected]

 

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.

 

Register Now – Technical Vocational Education & Training and Civic Participation

24 March, 2021 By Valeria Simonte

We are pleased to invite you on 20 April 2021 at 10:00 CET to a webinar on how to encourage citizen participation of stakeholders in Vocational Education & Training

What is active citizenship?

Civic participation is a process in which people take collective action to address issues of public concern and can adopt many forms: from individual volunteering, community engagement efforts and organisational involvement to governmental support. With regard to governments, effectively engaging with stakeholders translates into better services, source ideas and knowledge, co-creation solutions and seizing new opportunities.

To achieve high-quality civic participation, it is however crucial to make sure to involve all regional stakeholders. Research shows there is a large participation gap between college students and other young people. Thus, this webinar will look at the factors that can improve civic participation of people in technical and vocational education and training, and how such multi-stakeholder strategies benefit regions.

About the webinar:

This webinar will look at:

  • Whether activities for youth participation are addressed to Technical Vocational Education & Training learners and tailored in a way that encourages participation;
  • how Technical Vocational Education & Training learners and teachers can be encouraged to contribute and be visible in political arenas;
  • identifying the systems which allow all segments of society to feel capable of contributing towards the fulfilment of SDGs.


Find out more and register here!

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.

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Multi-stakeholder Approaches for Innovative Societies

24 March, 2021 By Valeria Simonte

We are pleased to invite you to two webinars examining the ways in which multi-stakeholder approaches help build more innovative societies.

To build innovative and creative societies, it is necessary to work both at a system level to improve innovation ecosystems and at an individual level to encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to participate in society. The events are part of the Skillnet webinar series organised by the AER, which provides an opportunity for mutual learning around topics identified by AER members.

Creating Effective Innovation Ecosystems

An innovation ecosystem describes the complex set of relationships among very diverse actors and entities, which work for technology development and innovation in a territory. Amongst others, this includes the material resources and human capital of universities, colleges of engineering, business schools, business firms, venture capitalists, industry-university research institutes, state or regional economic development agencies and chambers of commerce, funding agencies and policymakers.

Connectedness, Competence and Talent, and Capital are identified as issues of major importance by the European Commission’s Report on the 2020 stakeholder consultation “A Robust Innovation Ecosystem for the Future of Europe”. This webinar will look at the elements which make for an effective innovation ecosystem. In particular, it will examine how regional ecosystems involve different levels of education, specifically whether technical and vocational education and training stakeholders are involved or how they can be involved further.

Agenda

Creating Effective Innovation Ecosystems

19 April 2021 at 10:00 CET

  • 10.00-10.05 – Housekeeping rules, quick presentation on Skillnet, Valentina De Vico, Communication Manager, Skillman Team
  • 10:05-10:10 – Opening remarks and introduction to the webinar, Sandra Evans, Project Coordinator, Universität Tübingen
  • 10:10 – 10:25  The skills for innovation and how to boost them, Arnault Morisson, Thematic Expert Research and Innovation, Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform Presentation here
  • 10:25 – 10:35 The benefits of interregional cooperation to boost innovation ecosystems, Agneta Kardos, Timiș County Council Presentation here
  • 10:35 – 10:45 The experience of Upper Austria in the energy transition, Christiane Egger, Deputy Manager, Energy Agency of Upper Austria Presentation here
  • 10.45-10.55 – Panel discussion and Q&A session
  • 10.55-11.00 – Closing remarks

Recording of the webinar here: https://youtu.be/fGKvGkowX7Y

 

Technical Vocational Education & Training and Civic Participation

Civic participation is a process in which people take collective action to address issues of public concern and can adopt many forms: from individual volunteering, community engagement efforts and organisational involvement to governmental support. With regard to governments, effectively engaging with stakeholders translates into better services, source ideas and knowledge, co-creation solutions and seizing new opportunities.

To achieve high-quality civic participation, it is however crucial to make sure to involve all regional stakeholders. Research shows there is a large participation gap between college students and other young people. Thus, this webinar will look at the factors that can improve the civic participation of people in technical and vocational education and training, and how such multi-stakeholder strategies benefit regions.

Agenda

Technical Vocational Education & Training and Civic Participation

20 April 2021 at 10:00 CET

  • 10.00-10.05 – Housekeeping rules and quick presentation of the Skillnet project, Valentina De Vico, Communication Manager, Skillman Team
  • 10.05-10.10 – Opening remarks, Alessandra Zedda, AER Vice President for Employment and Skills and Councillor at Sardinia Region (IT)
  • 10.10-10.20 – Civic competences and lifelong learning, Andrei Frank, Policy Officer SOLIDAR Foundation Presentation here
  • 10.20-10.30 – Regional experience from Nordland (NO), Simon Johnson, AER Chair of the Working Group on Education and Training, Acting Mayor of Nordland County Council Presentation here
  • 10.30-10.40 – Building the TVET voice through the Peer Learning Clubs, Maria Elena Romanini, Project Manager, Skillman Secretariat Presentation here
  • 10.40-10.55 – Panel discussion and Q&A session
  • 10.55-11.00 – Closing remarks

Recording of the webinar: https://youtu.be/gRXRvHq4Fjo

 

Contacts

       [email protected]

       [email protected]

 

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.

 

Building a better future: Generating enthusiasm for Vocational Education and Training (VET)

9 February, 2021 By Stanislava Milankov

On January 27th,  the Assembly of European Regions in cooperation with Skillman Alliance hosted the “New enthusiasm for Vocational Education & Training, Boosting self-confidence in young people” webinar. This was the ninth webinar on EU funding opportunities that are being co-organized by AER within the Skillnet project framework (co-founded by the Erasmus+ Programme) in order to bring together experts in different fields linked to vocational education and training (VET) and establish relevant groups of collaboration for future EU project proposals.

Generating enthusiasm for Technical and Vocational Education and Training

This webinar offered 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 (TVET). One of the main challenges in TVET is that it is often associated with negative representations such as the difficulty to follow general education or attend university. It is therefore crucial to inform the general public about the opportunities TVET offer and showcase it as a path for success.

Kjerstin Torpmann-Hagen, Policy Officer at the European Commission DG Employment, gave a detailed overview of financial support available to support VET across Europe. In her presentation (available on the event webpage) she emphasised the importance following EU programmes:

  • European Social Fund (ESF+)
  • The European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF)
  • Recovery and Resilience Faculty (RRF)
  • Erasmus+
  • Technical Support instruments (TSI)
  • InvestEU

Regional experiences on showcasing TVET as a pathway for success

Two examples from regions were presented during the webinar, which shed light on how regions are generating enthusiasm for Vocational Education and Training and boosting self-confidence in youth.

Miquel Carrión Molina, Deputy Director at Youth Employment and Professional Qualification, Catalonia (ES) said to boost enthusiasm for vocational education and training, policies must put young people’s needs “at the centre”, for example, by allowing for a longer training process accounting for trainees leaving and returning to training. He also stressed the importance of personal guidance and support to young people and in relation to VET, the possibility for youth to choose among different programmes and training.  

Gabriela Rus, Policy officer at Economic and Rural Development department, Alba County Council (RO) presented a project “Dual and vocational education – a new beginning” and explained how Alba region created a local working group of key VET stakeholders “to harmonise education offerings with the labour market” and increase engagement with vocational training among young people. The activities included: 

  • organisation of the parents’ meetings in schools in urban and rural areas to provide additional information to the students and their parents regarding the opportunities of a professional career in a technical field 
  • development of skills and professional interest questionnaire for professional counselling to students and parents 

For a better future!

To conclude, the moderator, Hrvoje Kovač, Chair of the AER subcommittee on Youth, Varaždin (HR) highlighted that actions at the local and regional levels are vital for generating enthusiasm for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. Building a better future for the youth means replicating experiences from other regions and transferring knowledge.

Open and Future EU funding opportunities and initiatives:

  • The new EACEA website has gone live today at this address: www.eacea.ec.europa.eu It contains information on programmes for the period 2021-2027;
  • INNO4COV-19 Open Call to support fast deployment of solutions to fight COVID-19 – Deadline 31 March 2021;
  • Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund – Deadline 30 September 2021;
  • 2020 Erasmus accreditation in the field of Youth – Deadline 31 December 2021;
  • European Commission: Funding and tender opportunities
  • European Investment Bank – Social Innovation Tournament – Deadline 3 March 2021;
  • European Social Fund – Call for proposals
  • Publication of DG REGIO Grants and Procurements
  • The Recovery and Resilience Facility
  • Erasmus+ Calls for tenders and proposals
  • InvestEU

To know more, rewatch the webinar and engage in the discussions through the Peer Learning Clubs!

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