Social Agenda Issue 53 - EN

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING Beyond 2020: The theme of this year’s European Vocational Skills Week was “Vocational education and training and the future of work: jobs and skills”. © Belga Image Over one million people throughout the EU, plus Iceland and Norway, took part in the 1 800 events organised from 5 to 9 November 2018 as part of European Vocational Skills Week 2018. Among them were vocational education and training (VET) providers, teachers and trainers; guidance and validation services; companies, students, pupils or potential pupils and their parents. Organised on an annual basis, the Week was launched three years ago. Its aim is to improve the “poor neighbour” image of VET compared to other forms of education. It is also to raise awareness of the crucial role of VET in the face of globalisation, digitalisation, technological change and population ageing: At all levels of education and throughout life, VET can help securing a place on the labour market and smoothen transitions between jobs. Future strategy The theme of this year’s Week was “VET and the future of work: jobs and skills”. The Week comes at a time when the European Commission is accumulating data in view of drawing up a proposal for a new post-2020 European VET cooperation strategy. The on-going reflection is verymuch about achieving the right balance between seemingly antagonistic requirements. European Week looks beyond 2020 The future of vocational education and training was at the heart of the 2018 European Vocational Skills Week 1 0 / SOC I A L AG E NDA / NOV E MB E R 2 0 1 8