Vocational training

F.O.I. Council member Joseph Montebello represented Malta employers at the meeting of the Advisory Committee for Vocational Training (ACVET) in Brussels on June 14-15. Of particular interest during the meeting, preceded by separate full-day meetings of the social partners, were discussions on the European Credit System for Vocational Education Training (ECVET) and adult learning.

A technical working group is to be set up to examine and set the ECVET technical specifications. These will be based on the learning outcomes, which are relevant to the needs of both education and training systems and the labour market.

During the discussion on the Communication Action Plan on Adult Learning (AL) there was general agreement that the bodies represented were not consulted/informed by their respective national governments about the draft action plan.

During the discussion it was emphasised that it was difficult to separate AL from Life Long Learning (LLL). Adult learning should be focused on the unemployed and the indicators should be employability and an inclusive society.

A draft proposal for the recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of a European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for Vocational Education and Training was presented for discussion during the meeting.

Furthermore, CEDEFOP presented the conference outcomes of the Agora XXXVI: Building a European VET area, which was held in Thessaloniki on April 26 and 27. Drawing from the conclusion of the conference, the challenge to strike the right balance between the two policy dimensions of national and European levels remains an issue.

First, the contribution of education and training to job creation and growth, and second, enhancing social inclusion, personal development and active citizenship.