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EuroSkills
Name: EuroSkills 2010 Opening Debate
Europe 2020 – Raising the profile of vocational education and training
Organisers: Mr. Thom ter Stege, European Skills Promotion Organization (ESPO)
Mrs. Heidi Agbenyo, City & Guilds Centre for Skills Development

Moderator: Professor Roberto Carneiro, President of Study Centre on Peoples and Cultures, Portuguese Catholic University

Speakers:
Mr. João Delgado, Head of Unit-in charge of Vocational Education and Training Policy and Leonardo da Vinci Programme, Directorate General for Education and Culture, European Commission
Mr. Timo Lankinen, President, Skills Finland
Dr. Nader Imani, Head of Region Europe and Direct Markets, Festo Didatic
Date: Thursday, 9th December 2010
Time: 14h15m – 17h15m
Room: Auditorium I – FIL Meeting Centre – Parque das Nações
Details: Open to public but need to be registered.
Interpretation – ING and PT
 
If you wish to attend this seminar please register here.
Description:

In most European countries vocational education and training (VET) suffers from an image problem. Whilst the factors which feed negative perceptions are well known, for example, poor information advice and guidance, quality of provision, and a lack of progression routes from VET to higher education, little progress has been made in effectively challenging and changing these perceptions.

At an European level, policymakers have treated it as a priority and placed it at the heart at of a number of initiatives. This includes the Copenhagen process and more recently the ‘Agenda for New Skills’, part of the European 2020 strategy.

EuroSkills has invited a number of key speakers to explore the theme, and offer their perspectives. Viewpoints will include those of young learners and parents as well as policy makers and researchers. Participants and speakers will be invited to consider the following:

 

  • What are the key issues, challenges and problems in challenging negative perceptions of vocational education and training?
  • What is the current state of the debate?
  • What actions and conditions can make VET more attractive for young learners, parents and other stakeholders?
  • What are the implications of differing country contexts for their responses to and the implementation of European wide initiatives? How can practitioners and policy makers support such initiatives?
  • What role can practitioners play in challenging negative perceptions?
  • What role can skills competitions play in challenging negative perceptions? 
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